By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — President Dr. Irfaan Ali has urged citizens and public officials who are defamed, harassed, or falsely accused on digital platforms to actively seek legal redress through the courts, signaling that the government is reviewing existing legislative frameworks—including the Cybercrime Act—to curb online abuse.
Speaking during a press conference at the Office of the President on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the Head of State addressed the rising wave of digital irresponsibility, character assassination, and unverified allegations circulated on social media.
“No Free-for-All”: Utilizing Courts to Establish Facts
President Ali challenged the common misconception that social media exists outside legal oversight, stressing that civil and criminal litigation remains the most effective tool to restore sanity and test factual accuracy:
- Testing Evidence in Court: The President emphasized that judicial proceedings force individuals making defamatory claims to substantiate their assertions with tested legal evidence rather than relying on anonymous or unregulated digital rhetoric.
- Call for Greater Responsibility: He urged the public to exercise discretion online and rely on verified, credible information channels when evaluating claims circulating across digital networks.
“There’s a view that there are no rules when it comes to social media and you can post whatever you want,” President Ali stated. “That is why I believe that people should utilize the legal system to bring sanity to this whole thing.”
Cybercrime Act Review and Artificial Intelligence Penalties
To address emerging technological threats, the government is moving to modernize the statutory architecture governing digital conduct:
- Penalties for AI-Manipulated Media: President Ali revealed that he has instructed the Attorney General’s Chambers to review and formulate specific legal penalties targeting deceptive, AI-generated synthetic content (“deepfakes”) used to spread misinformation or damage reputations.
- Strengthening the Cybercrime Act: While the existing legislation already criminalizes computer-based harassment, extortion, and reputational injury, planned legislative revisions will introduce updated compliance mechanisms and statutory remedies.
- Public Education Drive: The administration plans to launch a national digital literacy campaign to help citizens detect manipulated material, fabricated recordings, and disinformation campaigns.
Attorney General Signals Litigation Over Defamation
Highlighting the pervasive nature of social media attacks, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, recently confronted persistent defamatory allegations made against him in digital comment sections regarding the historical, discontinued matter of statutory law books:
“I see several persons in the comments section commenting that I stole law books,” Nandlall remarked. “One day! One good day! I may decide to sue every single one of you.”
The administration maintains that as digital tools continue to evolve, robust enforcement of civil defamation laws and enhanced cybercrime statutes will play a pivotal role in ensuring accountability across Guyana’s digital landscape.
