Dear Editor – The above advertisement has been relayed over SIBC to the general public for quite a while now. It is believed to be promoting twisty that is sold by Low Price Enterprise.
This particular advertisement is based on a made up story about a giant who cried without stopping because a child stole a package of twisty from it.
At the end of this story the children laughed as though the actions by the child stealing and the giant crying were funny.
The main point of concern here is the use of the word “Stealim” and after one of the children asked “grandfather what nao pikinini ia stealim from giant ia?” then they all laughed.
This is where it would certainly give a wrong message to any child or children listening to the advert. It would give the impression that stealing twisty from a giant or for that fact from anyone is funny and so such action must be alright.
It is one way of saying “stealing” is acceptable whether it is a package of twisty from a giant or anything belonging to anyone as long as they cry without stopping that is fine and funny. Advertisements should provide information that makes positive and not negative impacts on those who read or hear them.
This kind of advertisement that carries negative information that includes such words as “Stealing” or “stealim” in Pidgin should not be highlighted or allowed into the public arena especially when stealing by beligas are increasing rapidly in Honiara and in other urban centers throughout the country.
Those who put together this particular advert or the radio accepting it in the first place should have used wisdom and consider using other words instead of the word “stealim”.
There is nothing wrong with the rest of the advertisement, only the use of the word “Stealim” is what matters most in this particular instance.
It is anticipated that in the future anyone putting together any advertisements should not use words that promote bad results in Society.
Thank you for printing this in your paper which may not matter much to others. To someone who is concerned about the increase in stealing in the country I feel it is important.
When we try to discourage our young people from such negative behavior and bad actions as stealing we need to be careful in the words we say in public.
Lawrence Foana’ota
Former Director of the National Museum
Honiara
