PNG GRAPPLES WITH PORN ADDICTION

CAPTION: Office of censorship burning contraband items

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

PAPUA New Guinea is grappling with the rise in pornography or blue movie addiction in the country, posing significant challenges to its future as a Christian nation.

The Office of Censorship warns that the porn addiction has shifted from traditional access to magazines and Compact Discs (CDs) to online, now, a surge to the importation and distribution of Sex Enhancement Products (SEP).

The agency reported recent border seizures by Customs, Airport Security, and Post PNG highlight a rise in both digital content and physical items.

Chief Censor Jim Abani said this increase is deeply concerning.

He said Papua New Guinea is a Christian nation but these types of stories paint a bad picture of its reputation.

Pornography addiction is a behavioural challenge, characterized by an overwhelming compulsion to consume adult content.
Mr Abani says this sort of behavior poses significant risks to Papua New Guineans, having huge potential to ruin relationships, careers and community well-being.

“You have to work with us to put an end to this trend,” the Chief Censor said.

Technology is also a great enabler of this behavioural change, with almost everyone in PNG owning a smartphone and having easy access to porn sites.

Social media especially Facebook has also been flooded with explicit content.

While the Office of Censorship continues to monitor, classify, and regulate mass media, films, and publications, the chief censor says more need to be done to ensure that all information and materials are suitable for public consumption and protect citizens especially children from content that is detrimental to their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.