This week an anomaly happened. The ones supporting and actively supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on Facebook got blocked by the site. The Online Company and Social Media platform has de-platformed several of NRM associated bloggers, pages and groups on Facebook. Some of them has lost their profiles and been suspended from there as well.
That says a lot. There been a sudden purge on their position on Facebook. A place where views, perspectives and spread of information is happening steadily. What is ironic here. The NRM is crying foul. The same supporters and activists, the same bloggers and associates of the NRM has had no issues blocking, hacking or violating pages of the opposition. The same NRM associated people have taken over opposition media houses pages and even deleted them. That has been during the campaigns. Therefore, maybe the same fellow breached “community standards” by inciting these acts and the opposition just notified the company.
That wouldn’t be shocking here as Ghetto TV and others been under fire on the same site. It is just a mention in the quest of things happening to the opposition. However, these sort of things doesn’t tend to happen to the NRM. The NRM is usually above these things and acting untouchable.
Now, the NRM SOMA, GCIC and Uganda Media Centre is losing its grip. As Facebook is an important platform on Social Media. They are not getting the venue for their space to spread their message in the final days to the polls. That is an act that backfire. Especially, if the NRM plans to act upon the “Scientific” campaigns. However, we know how that has worked of late.
I do feel sorry for the inconvenience, but they are just tasting the blunt action made towards them. As the NRM can easily block radio-stations, take away broadcasting licenses and stop publishing of newspapers in the Republic. That is if they are having high ranking opposition as guests on air or even getting their messages across for a long time. They are only lucky if they get short windows and limited space. While the NRM covers most of it.
This is why in the traditional media, the NRM and the President is covering most of it. His owning it in practice. Though on the social media and on newer platforms the opposition has an edge. This is why the recent actions of Facebook to de-platform the NRM groups, pages and persons are really hitting home.
What Facebook is actually doing is what the NRM does to the Opposition at home. They are blocking and making it impossible for them to speak. How many times has a opposition candidate tried to access a radio station and been blocked? Countless of times. The same is now happening to the NRM. In a manner, which they cannot control…
That is just karma in my view. They are tasting the same spirit, which they have delivered on a daily for years to the opposition. The men loyal to Museveni and his cause. Is now seeing the effects of their actions. These folks are tasting their own medicine.
Yes, they have a right to free speech. Yes, they have a right to express it and that is all justified. However, there is no human right to be part of Facebook. Secondly, if your part of Facebook. Then you have signed an agreement to uphold certain standards. However, if those is breached. The company can suspend or de-platform you, which they have done here. That is all natural.
The NRM apologists, activists and bloggers can find other avenues now. They can use other platforms and other places to spread their message. However, there are few sites who has more people connected and people accessing on the daily. Therefore, the blocking to the site is hurting them.
The NRM could start to mediate with Facebook. The NRM could try to talk and figure out how to get access again. What sort of amends and promises they need to get re-activated. I am sure they would let it happen. Alas, they rather cry foul and be victims.
Nevertheless, these folks aren’t that much of victims. These folks aren’t in danger of prison, abductions, arrests or torture even. No, these folk are in danger of house-arrests or fatalities. No, these folks are safe and surrounded by the elites. These people are eating. That is why it’s hard to feel sorry for them. Peace.