Guyana is advancing a modern legislative framework for social media. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall said on Friday that the government is examining international and regional models while seeking to protect freedom of expression and other constitutionally guaranteed rights. He made the remark to members of the press.
A United Kingdom law firm is supporting the legislative review, examining regulatory models from jurisdictions around the world and developing a draft framework suited to Guyana’s circumstances. Nandlall said they have a number of sources of documents that they are examining together, and that the purpose is to ensure a modern, comprehensive and transparent framework in keeping with the modern realities of social media.
The review is drawing on recent legal developments in the United States, including litigation involving Meta in several states. Nandlall said the government has examined both the court rulings and the proceedings that gave rise to them.
Guyana is also considering work commissioned by CARICOM Heads of Government to examine development of a legislative and regulatory framework for social media. The government has received a first draft from this initiative, which is being examined alongside international models and legal precedents.
Nandlall said the government’s approach is not simply to impose controls on social media and that it intends to establish safeguards that address emerging concerns without undermining fundamental freedoms. Nandlall said: “You don’t want any measure that will in any form or fashion infringe the constitutional right of expression and other liberties guaranteed to the citizens of Guyana.” He said the central challenge is to strike an appropriate balance between addressing the harmful practices the legislation seeks to prevent and preserving citizens’ rights and liberties. The ongoing work is expected to inform a framework that is comprehensive, transparent and responsive to the rapidly changing digital environment while remaining consistent with Guyana’s constitutional protections.
