The Papua New Guinea Office of Censorship has issued a formal Stop Notice directing The Cosmopolitan Night Club in Port Moresby to immediately cancel its planned “Pride Night” event scheduled for today June 4, 2026.
The notice, issued by Chief Censor Jim Abani under the Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act 1989, orders the venue to permanently cancel the event and remove all related promotional materials.
The notice also prohibits the club from hosting, facilitating, promoting or participating in future events that promote or are themed around LGBTQ+ identity, culture or practices.
According to the Office of Censorship, complaints were received on June 1 regarding a digital advertisement published on the nightclub’s official Facebook page promoting the event in partnership with Crystal Bar & Lounge.
Following an investigation, the Office alleged that the advertisement constituted three separate offences under the Act, including publishing an objectionable publication, publishing an objectionable publication in a public place, and making an objectionable publication.
The notice states that the planned event itself would amount to a continuing offence under the Act and directed the management of The Cosmopolitan Night Club to immediately halt all preparations associated with the event.
The Chief Censor cited several provisions of the Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act, including powers granted under Sections 17 and 18, and argued that the event and its promotional materials fall within the definition of an objectionable publication under the legislation.
Under the notice, the nightclub has been instructed to remove, take down or destroy all remaining promotional material relating to the event, whether digital or printed, and provide written confirmation of compliance to the Office of Censorship within 48 hours.
The Office further warned that failure to comply could result in enforcement action, including referral to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) for investigation and prosecution, court applications for forfeiture of publications, and possible review or revocation of the venue's operating license by relevant authorities.
In a strongly worded warning, the notice stated that the nightclub’s advertising had already constituted criminal offences under the Act and cautioned against any further action.
"The Respondent’s advertising alone has already constituted criminal offences under the Act. Any further conduct – including proceeding with the ‘PRIDE NIGHT’ event – will be treated as deliberate and willful defiance of this Office and of the laws of Papua New Guinea and will be met with the full force of the law.”
“You are to adhere to the Notice and Comply as of this date [June 3rd, 2026].”
The notice concluded by emphasizing that the event “must not and will not go on” and that the management of The Cosmopolitan Night Club had been duly warned.
