The head of the Papua New Guinea communications authority has issued an assurance planned tighter controls on social media will not limit media freedom.
The legislation governing the National Information Communciation and Technology Authority, or NICTA, is to be amended next year.
There has been strong criticism of the move in PNG, including from former prime minister, Sir Mekere Morauta.
He calls it an attack on freedom of speech and an attempt to regulate mainstream media by stealth.
But NICTA's chief executive Charles Punaha says the changes are about combatting cyber crime and there are measures to stop abuses.
"The processes will be in place [and] in the event that an offence has been committed, the victim needs to go through this process - to go through the courts, get warrants and go through the courts and the courts will make a determination. It is not for any one person or anyone to utilise for suppressing an individual's right to freedom of expression or freedom of speech."
