By GINNAH MINI
THE National Censorship Board of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has sworn in yesterday as part of the policy making body, whose decisions and directions are executed by the Office of Censorship.
Chief Censor, Jim Abani said that the board is made up of 12 members of different sectors, which was the reason the office has been struggling to put together the new board since the last board expired in 2022.
“Our board appointment was early November last year; which was endorsed and appointed by the National Executive Council,” said Abani
Abani said that the role of the censorship Board is very vital as they are to ensure policy, decisions and directions are given to Censorship Office to implement.
“These directions that you (boards) will be providing are for the benefit for our communities to protect our young children
and people from harmful materials and promoting our cultural values while not forgetting our Christian principles,” he said.
Abani thanked his management teams who have been working and have delivered key objectives of the office for the last 3-4 years despite the absence of the board members.
“We cannot continue to censor, but our main role is to classify the films and publications and any information that comes within the system,” he said.
Abani emphasized that the Censorship Office will maintain the traditional censorship but also think ahead about how and when to adapt to the changes that are evolving in the fast paced technological environment.
The Office of Censorship is ready to carry out policies and directions that will be given by the board members that have sworn in.
The Censorship Board of PNG is established under Section 4 of the Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act of 1989.