By JOE GURINA
THE Censorship Office is going rural to ensure modern technologies and its efforts are made aware, says Chief Censor Jim Abani. He said schools are been targeted through the Censorship Ambassadors School program for students to be more responsible in using such services. Mr Abani said students are identified and selected by schools based on their leadership qualities to attend the school ambassador training and awareness program on the responsible use of the technological gadgets. He said currently his office is piloting the new initiative and has started with Kilakila Secondary School in Port Moresby and Mainohana Catholic Secondary School in Kairuku, Central province. Mr Abani said students were encouraged to uphold good morale practice while undergoing the ambassador training and awareness program. He said that the Censorship Amb ssadors School Program was developed as a concept after introducing it in 2014. ‘’Its objective is to expand the knowledge of Censorship office role and responsibility to students to know and exercise self-respect and uphold human decency with good moral values and Christian principles at school and their communities,” Mr Abani said. We train students to become ambassadors representing our Office and share what they know about the work of Censorship to other students.” He said the Censorship Office was going rural because the trend of technology was reaching isolated areas and as responsible government agency mandated to regulate and monitor the content of mass medium of communication. ‘’It is our responsibility to inform our young generation on its effects,” Mr Abani said. ‘’Our target is young people to know and use the technology wisely and not to abuse it.” Mr Abani urged every citizen to be more responsible and monitor their children on how they are using technology. He said many people are supporting the program and as chief censor, ‘’I wanted the small things we are embracing is the way to see the government services are seen in rural areas such support that we are giving schools like supporting the laptops and mini printers to ensure our censorship program is sustaining, small way, making a difference in the society.” The Office visited Mainohana secondary school last week and presented gadgets including a laptop, printer and smart phone for students to use in the Censorship Ambassador School awareness program.
