Agreement to address spread of illicit materials

THE Papua New Guinea Customs Service and Office of Censorship have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work in partnership to control the spread of illicit material in the country.
Acting chief censor Jim Abani and PNG Customs commissioner Ray Paul said the agreement would enable PNG Customs offices at the border posts and ports of entry to detect materials containing illicit content such as pornography.
Both organisations agreed to share resources, information, and assist each other to enhance execution of their respective functions.
Abani said Customs and Censorship had an understanding whereby PNG Customs had assisted his office when required.
He said the censorship office continued to perform its duties in 19 provinces but the MoU would allow that relationship to be expanded.
Paul said his office’s core functions was the protection of the border and local community and the censorship office’s role was about monitoring and regulating materials in PNG that were illicit in nature or other materials that were deemed harmful to society.
“We have that social and community obligations to perform and the signing of our MoU will strengthen and increase both organisations efforts in those areas,” Abani said.
Paul said Customs officers at ports of entry would be trained under the MoU to understand what materials to seize and the actions to take.