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Economist expresses concerns over consequences of social media ban

Author: Obaj Okuj | Published: January 24, 2025

Abraham Maliet Mamer, an advisor to Vice President Wani Igga speaks on Eye Radio's Sundown Show. Nov. 12, 2024. (Photo: Awan Moses).

An economist and advisor in the office of the Vice President Dr James Wani igga has expressed concerns over the economic consequences of the recent social media ban imposed by the National Communication Authority.

The ban, which affects platforms like Facebook and TikTok has sparked widespread debate over its implications for businesses, communication, and revenue generation.

Speaking to Eye Radio yesterday, Dr. Abraham Maliet highlighted that social media has become an essential part of economic development in the country.

Dr. Maliet warned that the ban could disrupt businesses that rely on social media for advertising, customer engagement, and sales.

“So, there are businesses that are selling and buying and marketing through social media, and that, in the end, it’s a job for those who are actually having those social media outlets. It’s a job through which they will make a living.

” It is affecting them because they are not reaching out to their potentials because now they are not be able to communicate as they used to do.

“So, attracting new customers or maintaining the existing customers now will be very difficult. So, for sure they will not be able to reach their potential as they have been designed to do so.

“If somebody is advertising their products through social media, then those advertisements will not reach to the potential buyers because there will be no medium to communicate”, he said.

The economist cautioned that the ban could have a ripple effect on the broader tech industry, including internet service providers and digital entrepreneurs.

He also noted the potential for long-term damage to South Sudan’s economy if businesses lose trust in the stability of the communication infrastructure.

Dr. Maliet urged the government to review the ban urgently, proposing a more targeted approach to address concerns about hate speech and misinformation on social media.

“I advise our people to review this decision as fast as possible and do what I call a thorough check on those who are doing positive businesses to be allowed to continue and those who are doing negative businesses to be banned.

“So I urge them and recommend to them to review it so fast so that we’re not going to do the same thing which happened last time. You know, there was a big load of trucks that were not able to come to South Sudan because of a misunderstanding on miscalculation and we suffered”, he added.

The Economist also called for a thorough assessment of the ban’s economic impact and swift action to prevent further harm.

The ban, which is set to last 90 days, has already sparked debate among policymakers, civil society, and the business community.

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