Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act 1989, Restricted-Publication and “R”-Film Supply to Minors
Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act 1989 (PNG), No. 18 of 1989, ss. 2, 33, 62-63, 76-77
A citation is an address, not a summary. The first part names the law; what follows narrows it to the exact section, article or paragraph.
In force.
An adult content age verification (AV) rule binding private bodies.
As of 7 September 2026.
What this law does
Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page.
A publication classified as a restricted publication, or a film or advertising matter classified as an “R” film, may not be sold, let on hire, displayed, or delivered to a minor. A minor is a person under the age of 18 years. Such a publication, film, or advertising matter may not be published in a public place unless it is sealed or wrapped with its classification markings visible.
A person who publishes a classified publication or film otherwise than in accordance with these conditions is guilty of an offence. Separately, a person in charge of or with management or control of a restricted publication area must not permit a minor to enter that area. That person must also display a notice of the restriction at each entrance to the area.
It is a defence to a prosecution for permitting a minor to enter a restricted publication area to show a reasonable belief that the person was 18 years of age or older. The Censorship Board determines the standards to which publishing and broadcasting of all publications must conform. The Act does not apply to a publication sponsored by the National Government or a Provincial Government.
If you get it wrong
Criminal exposureYes
Private right of actionNo
Criminal exposure note
Under s. 76, publishing a classified publication or film otherwise than in accordance with its conditions or restrictions, including selling, hiring, displaying, or delivering a restricted publication or an “R” film to a minor, is punishable by a fine not exceeding K2,000.00 for a body corporate, or a fine not exceeding K500.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both, for an individual. Under s. 77(3), permitting a minor to enter a restricted publication area, or failing to post the required notice at its entrance, is punishable by a fine not exceeding K5,000.00 for a body corporate, or a fine not exceeding K500.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both, for an individual.
Penalty structure
Body-corporate cap under s. 76 for publishing a classified publication (a restricted publication or an “R” film) otherwise than in accordance with its supply conditions, including sale, hire, display, or delivery to a minor; an individual instead faces a fine of up to K500.00 or imprisonment for up to three months, or both. The separate restricted-publication-area offence under s. 77(3) carries a higher body-corporate cap of K5,000.00, with the same individual penalty.
- Rule
- Fixed only
- As of
- 7 September 2026
- Currency
- PGK
- Fixed cap
- 2,000
Who enforces it
Enforcement body
Censorship Board and Chief Censor, Papua New Guinea
What it reaches
Age threshold
18
Covered services
A publisher, seller, hirer, displayer, or deliverer of a restricted publication or an “R” film or its advertising matter, and a person in charge of or with management or control of a restricted publication area; the Censorship Board's publishing and broadcasting standards also bind a broadcasting licensee.
Obligation class
Prohibition
When LexLint raises it
publishes_adult_content