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A concerned parent has raised concerns over what he describes as "an alarming increase of news items reporting on sex.....it has became very annoying with the front page reports for the daily papers continously reporting on nothing but sex issues."

The parent who wishes to remain anonymous also asked "who will be the appropriate governing body to complain to concerning media reports?" when speaking with Lifhaus.  He said that while it is admirable that the papers report on issues affecting Solomon Islands "there should also be some restrain because the general public also includes children, some of whom are young children."

Lifhaus spoke with other parents on this issue and some of them are also concerned about the "music and entertainment section of the newspapers.  It sometimes carries images that are not suitable for children as well as reports that are not fitting for children.  Children sometimes idolize celebreties and how do you explain to them how these people conduct themselves and the issues they go through in their lives."  Another parent highlighted that "these kinds of news items are good for tabloids and if the media in the Solomon Islands were responsible, then someone should start a tabloid so that if you want to read this kind of news, you are more than willing to buy a tabloid rather than the dailies."

In recent times, most of the dailies came under fire for their lack of indepth coverage on news in the country.  "I just hope these newspapers are not so desperate that they are now resorting to the mantra - Sex Sells!"

Today, the Solomon Star pitched into the story of the sex trade by some Chinese nationals in the country.  Island Sun has been reporting on the story extensively during the week.

"People are always saying that the media should be responsible but this is not being responsible - what do you say if your 6 year old child asks - Daddy what is sex?" another parent concluded.  Solomon Islands newspapers should be able to act responsibly and with some integrity.  "It is a fine line and more so a difficult choice for an editor but let the public debate happen and we may find the best way forward - personally I support the idea of a tabloid and government putting up some standards on the responsibilities of reporting in the Solomon Islands," said our Senior Lifhaus Administrator.