The Prime Minister’s Foreword
I am pleased to present to you Vanuatu’s National Harmful Digital Communications (HDC) Policy 2023, a Policy that complements and strengthens our efforts outlined in the National Cyber Security Strategy of 2030. It is a step towards securing and protecting our Internet, cybetrspace, and the online media realm in Vanuatu.
This National Policy is a well-founded step to increase Cyber Safety and an open, free, accessible Internet. The National Harmful Digital Communications Policy outlines our national aim and goals to ensure communications over the Internet and Cyberspace, including technologies such as Mobile Phones and Social Media Platforms, carefully follow the Digital Communications 10 Principles.
Moreover, it is crucial for citizens, businesses, and online communication in Vanuatu to be expressed and founded upon the basis set out in the Constitution” of Vanuatu (Chapter 2, Part 1 Section 5) - which recognizes that all persons are entitled to several “Fundamental Rights and Freedoms” as well as provides for the “Protection of the Privacy of the Home.” It means “Respect and Responsibility” must predominate online communication, mainly when communicating via emails, texts, pictures, website content, blog posts, comments, online forums, social media, and phone-based apps.
I am calling on all stakeholders and citizens, including tourists traveling into Vanuatu, to prioritize and effectively collaborate with the Government of Vanuatu and respective authorities on this national Policy - a task and effort to secure and protect our citizens and communities from ‘harm and online abuse.’
Hon. MAAU’KORO, MOLI TAMBE,
URE VIRA TAMBE, LAVISE VAHE
ALATOI ISHMAEL KALSAKAU (MP), Prime Minister