COMMENT | Why licensing won't control internet abuses

COMMENT | Licensing is more about control than regulation.

In the context of reducing abuse through social media platforms and messaging services it will do nothing but merely introduce yet another layer of bungling bureaucracy for our Napoleons - little and not so little - to abuse at will and without compunction.

What is needed, first of all, is to use all the existing legislation to bring the numerous miscreants to book and then only look to introduce additional measures. Blanket licensing must remain a last resort because once adopted they are seldom, if ever, removed.

Additional measures - not licensing - could include cyberbullying laws and other related and similar legislation that target those who abuse social media. Mete out punishment to them instead of targeting the media.