Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has emphasized that the Coalition Government is committed to tackling pornography and is considering the possibility of banning certain websites if required. During a recent parliamentary update on the National Taskforce to Address Pornography, he highlighted the importance of international cooperation and enhancing legal frameworks to safeguard children from online sexual exploitation.
Mr. Kamikamica noted that the taskforce reviewed current child protection laws and identified the necessity for more comprehensive policies to meet the evolving challenges posed by the digital environment. He outlined the establishment of three working groups, each tasked with specific goals aligning with the overall aims of the taskforce.
The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the first working group, chaired by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, will concentrate on policy, legislation, governance, and criminal justice. The second group, led by the Online Safety Commission, will focus on survivor support and societal empowerment, while the third group, chaired by the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji, will address industry and technology responses.
“To guarantee the success of our initiatives, the taskforce will implement effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms,” said Mr. Kamikamica. He added that feedback channels will be established for community input to ensure that the government stays responsive to the needs of its citizens.
The National Taskforce is scheduled to convene later this month, during which the Working Groups will share their findings, continuing discussions on how to comprehensively tackle the issue of pornography in Fiji. Mr. Kamikamica reiterated the government’s serious intent, mentioning that they are even contemplating banning specific sites if deemed necessary.