Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica stated that the Coalition Government is committed to addressing pornography and is considering the possibility of banning certain websites if deemed necessary. In a recent Parliament update regarding the National Taskforce to Address Pornography, he highlighted the importance of international cooperation and enhancing legal measures to protect children from online sexual exploitation during the taskforce’s inaugural meeting.
Mr. Kamikamica noted that members reviewed current child protection legislation and acknowledged the need for more comprehensive policies to tackle the evolving challenges in the digital environment. He outlined that there are three working groups, each formed with specific objectives aligned with the taskforce’s overall aims.
The first working group, chaired by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, will focus on policy, legislation, governance, and criminal justice. The second group, led by the Online Safety Commission, will concentrate on survivor support, empowerment, and societal and cultural aspects. The third group will address the industry’s and technology’s response, chaired by the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji.
“To ensure our initiatives are effective, the taskforce will implement strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms,” Mr. Kamikamica explained. “We will set up feedback channels to allow the community to share input, ensuring we remain attentive to the needs of our citizens.”
He added that the next meeting of the National Taskforce is scheduled for this month, during which the Working Groups will share their findings, continuing the conversation to comprehensively address pornography usage in Fiji. “I have stated in this esteemed Parliament that we are genuinely serious about our efforts, to the extent of considering a ban on certain sites if necessary.”