Togo to tighten regulation on social networks to mitigate related abuses

Justice

Thursday, 22 March 2018 13:20

Togo to tighten regulation on social networks to mitigate related abuses

(Togo First) - During the recent ministers’ council held on March 21, 2018, the government declared it wants to tighten regulation against violations caused by social network users. The decision arose as authorities noticed limitations of the current regulation; one of such limitations being the inability to engage civil and penal liability of internet users.

Meanwhile, “many hate speeches and fake news are spread online, on social networks particularly; this is a global source of concern and a serious threat to social stability and social peace”, reads the decision’s explanatory statement. In this framework, new laws will be adopted. Among these, government plans to adopt a law related to fake news and create a reporting platform.

However, before all these new measures are implemented, non-coercive measures will be first taken. For example, authorities want to “train populations to digital culture, through education and prevention measures; ease detection of abusive content by putting in place reporting processes; encourage self-regulation by establishing a trust-based relationship with ICT firms”.

Additionally, the government wants to “tighten regulation of social networks by initiating a sensitization campaign on their use, and by signing with representatives of entities like Facebook and Twitter a code of good conduct”.

This aims at ensuring a “responsible use of these media, to preserve social peace and ensure the respect of public and individual liberties”.

Togo: New ECOWAS Committee Launches to Bolster Healthcare Delivery

Togo Expands Property Tax to Include Secondary Homes

Togo: Constitutional Court Welcomes Two New Members

Togo: Parliament Approves New Constitution after Second Reading

BCEAO’s foreign asset revenues soar 112% but trail potential of operations account

With UNDP, Emmanuel Adebayor’s Foundation Launch its Second Agribusiness Incubation Cohort

Togo: 2 Février Hotel Competes for Prestigious World Travel Awards 2024 Nominations in Three Categories

togo-2-fevrier-hotel-competes-for-prestigious-world-travel-awards-2024-nominations-in-three-categories

Togo: National Media Authority, HAAC, Stops Issuing Accreditations to Foreign Media Envoys

9th Pan-African Congress: Northern African Countries to Take Part in the Upcoming Meeting

Togo Introduces Toll-Free Number 1010 for Voter Assistance Ahead of Elections

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.