5 May 2015

Nauru discontent growing, says former president

8:25 am on 5 May 2015

Former Nauru president, Sprent Dabwido, says there is growing discontent across the island after the government last week shut down access to some social media.

The government says it imposed a ban on access to child pornography but the opposition says it has shut down Facebook to end criticism of its actions.

Former Nauru president Sprent Dabwido

Former Nauru president Sprent Dabwido Photo: supplied

Mr Dabwido, who was president for two years to 2013, says Baron Waqa's government is doing everything it can to avoid scrutiny.

He says the Facebook ban is having an impact around the island including in the Australian run asylum seeker detention camps.

"The people there are grumbling. you know the worst thing you can do to people who are in detention, is actually prevent them from having the freedom to interact with families overseas and people back at home."

Digicel has confirmed that the Government instructed the blocking of certain internet sites, and says some sites have already been blocked while the Government is evaluating their suitability.