PNG man arrested over Facebook post

2:02 pm on 21 March 2018

Police in Papua New Guinea have arrested a man over a posting on social media.

A file photo of the Facebook logo on a desktop computer

Photo: 123RF

Livingstone Fontenu from Eastern Highlands Province, who's 25, has been charged with spreading false and misleading information under the Summary Offences Act.

Police said the complaint was filed by the province's Governor Peter Numu.

The police alleged Mr Fontenu posted the comments on Facebook while referring to an election petition case between the governor and a candidate in the recent elections, Simon Sia.

They said the comments were misleading and contemptuous as the matter referred to is now before the court.

The police said a lot of people were inconsiderately posting false and misleading information on social media and defaming individuals causing irreparable damage to their reputation and integrity, and called on people to report such abuse.