Total Ban on Porn
“Human beings turn to addiction to fill a void. Some find meaning through meditation or prayer, while others turn to alcohol, drugs, or yaqona,” he said.
Thursday 13 February 2025 | 10:13
Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji and Rotuma, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong. Photo: Kelera Tuisawau
The Catholic Church in Fiji is calling for a total ban on pornography, warning of its damaging impact on society.
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong has raised concerns over the psychological, social, and spiritual effects of pornography, arguing that it undermines human dignity.
"We are human beings, we survive on relationships, so if your relationship is just through the screen, then your level of humanity is being lowered," he said.
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He stressed that pornography weakens the sacredness of life.
"The Bible tells us we are made in the image and likeness of God. When someone is addicted to the screen and not in real relationships, their sense of being sacred diminishes,” the archbishop said.
“They live in isolation, disconnected from people, community, and God.”
A growing addiction
Archbishop Chong linked pornography use to broader struggles with addiction.
“Human beings turn to addiction to fill a void. Some find meaning through meditation or prayer, while others turn to alcohol, drugs, or yaqona,” he said.
“Pornography is another form of addiction. It reflects an emptiness people struggle to fill.”
Shocking internet data
New data from the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF) reveals that pornography accounted for 1.3 per cent of the country’s total internet traffic in the last two quarters of 2024.
On average, Fijians consumed 1360 terabytes of pornography—about 15 terabytes per day—costing an estimated FJ$130,000 per quarter.
Pornography ranked among the top 25 most accessed content categories in Fiji’s internet network.
Archbishop Chong has urged leaders to take action, saying the issue demands national attention.
Tougher laws coming
The Government has vowed swift action.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica, who co-chairs the Anti-Pornography Taskforce, had admitted previously that the trend was deeply concerning.
“There is enough data to show this is a significant issue,” the minister told this masthead in an earlier interview.
“We are working on tougher laws with teeth to tackle this. That includes blocking some of these sites.
“I hope that in the not-too-distant future, we can shut them down, but we need the legislative framework for that. This will not be a talk fest––we will deliver on action.”
Feedback: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun.com.fj
