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Archived Articles from "Obscenity Enforcement" section.
Open Letter to John Kerry on Obscenity Law Enforcement (26 October 2004)
What will John Kerry do about enforcement of obscenity laws, if elected?
(5 October 2004)
Oklahoma Member of Congress introduces Concurrent Resolution on obscenity enforcement
Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.) has introduced H. Con. Res. 298, which (if approved) will express "the sense of Congress that Federal obscenity laws should be vigorously enforced throughout the United States."
U.S. Attorneys move against obscenity
Some recent moves by Federal prosecutors against distribution of obscene material.
Utah youth 'Stand for Decency' and show a heart
Young people make a stand.
New resolution on obscenity enforcement to be introduced in Congress
A Concurrent Resolution, drafted by MIM attorneys and expressing the sense of the 108th Congress “that the Federal obscenity laws should be vigorously enforced throughout the United States,” is expected to be introduced soon in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.
Eight in ten Americans want laws against Internet obscenity vigorously enforced
Eight out of ten Americans (81%) believe federal laws against Internet obscenity should be vigorously enforced, and seven out of ten (70%) believe that strongly. A higher percentage of women support vigorous enforcement of federal laws against Internet obscenity than men (90% versus 72%). But seven out of ten Americans (70%) say they do not believe these laws are currently being vigorously enforced. The results come from a just-released opinion poll conducted by the Wirthlin Worldwide survey research company for Morality in Media.
Paula Houston on the role of the citizen in obscenity law enforcement
MIM recently interviewed the new Obscenity and Pornography Complaints Ombudsman of the State of Utah, Paula Houston, on the citizen's role in obscenity enforcement. Miss Houston, who prosecuted obscenity cases as a municipal prosecutor, says that citizen complaints to her office drive her work.
U.S. Attorneys Obscenity Enforcement Records
The U.S. Attorney is responsible for prosecting Federal criminal laws in your area. How well is your United States Attorney enforcing the Federal obscenity laws? Chances are, not well at all. Here are the recent (1993-1998) obscenity enforcement records of all 93 U.S. Attorneys, along with their office addresses and phone numbers. (Data from TRAC).
Americans Want Obscenity Law Enforcement
An overwhelming 80% of Americans believe the Federal laws against obscenity should be vigorously enforced, and 68% believe the Federal Government is not vigorously enforcing them, according to a national poll conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide for MIM.
Playboy can't resist the temptation to peddle hardcore pornography
According to the New York Post, Playboy is purchasing three "hard-core TV networks to boost profits." Robert Peters, president of Morality in Media, had these comments.
The World's Largest 'Adult' Internet/Audiotext Show --
And What a Show It Was
Morality in Media's Robin Whitehead attended the trade show of the Internet pornsters in New Orleans recently. Here's her report.
MIM responds to a New York Times Front Page Article Which Ignores the Harms of Porn
The mainstream news media are usually interested in porn only when attempting to defend the porn industry against opponents or when gushing over the industry's apparent popularity and financial success. The ugly, destructive side of the porn industry and its product line seldom merit serious attention. Bob Peters, President of MIM, issued this statement commenting on the New York Times article, “Technology Sent Wall Street Into Market for Porn”
AT&T To Offer Digital Porn on Cable Systems: 'Ma Bell' Reaches Into the Septic Tank
MIM President Robert W. Peters responds to a Wall Street Journal report that AT&T has struck a deal to carry "a hard-core adult movie channel" on its digital cable TV systems.
Supreme Court More Concerned About Porn Profits Than About Protecting the Home and Children
In a decision favoring Playboy, the Supreme Court invalidated a federal law requiring cable TV operators to either fully scramble the signals for their porn channels or to provide the programming after 10 p.m. In so doing, the Court crippled even further the power of government to "maintain a decent society" and also undermined its power to assist parents in their difficult task of raising children.
Morally Blind Supreme Court No Longer Sees Any Constitutional Difference Between Free Speech and Pornography
Robert W. Peters, President of Morality in Media, comments on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group.
MIM Opposes "Erotica USA"
The Javits Convention Center in Manhattan hosted a trade show for pornsters called 'Erotica USA' (15-18 April 1999). The New York Daily News called it a "sex-fest featuring XXX-rated flicks and bondage boutiques." MIM challenged the authorities, especially Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morganthau, to investigate for possible violations of New York State's obscenity laws.
Clinton Obscenity Law Enforcement Legacy
Bill Clinton's Hardcore Porn Legacy
MIM President Bob Peters analyzes the obscenity law enforcement record of the Clinton Administration.
Clinton's Campaign Promise
Then-candidate Bill Clinton wrote a letter to MIM in 1992, stating that "aggressive enforcement" of Federal obscenity law would be "a priority" in a Clinton/Gore Administration. This promise has not been fulfilled.
Obscenity Prosecutions Still Scandalously Low in 1998
The latest U.S. Justice Department data show only EIGHT obscenity prosecutions (where a Federal obscenity violation was the lead charge) in fiscal year 1998. These data were obtained from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University.
Only Six Federal Obscenity Prosecutions in 1997
U.S. Justice Department data (obtained from TRAC) show there were only SIX federal obscenity prosections (where a Federal obscenity violation was the lead charge) in fiscal 1997.
Growth of Video Porn
Quotations from newspaper articles to show how big the video porn racket is mushrooming in the abscence of Federal obscenity law enforcement.
Archived Articles from "Radio and TV Indecency" section.
Comment:
FCC Chairman Powell must enforce broadcast indecency law
Letter
to FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin on TV indecency enforcement
Television
2003: The Year of the 'F-Word'
The Rogues'
Gallery of Television, 2003
A Rogues'
Gallery of TV, 2002
MIM Interview: Federal Communications Commissioner Michael J. Copps
In an exclusive interview with Morality in Media, FCC Commissioner Copps says that "widespread popular revulsion" with today's television programming requires a "re-examination of the FCC's indecency standard." If there were a credible indecency enforcement process, Copps says, "you have to have punishments, and those punishments have to exact a toll." He also notes that twice during November 2002, the FCC's computers crashed from the volume of e-mail from viewers enraged about two TV programs. Find out which ones here.
MIM Comments on FCC's Indecency Policy
The Federal Communications Commission issued new guidelines (April 2001) on 'Enforcement Policies Regarding Broadcast Indecency.' MIM's Bob Peters comments: "The problem with the broadcast indecency law is not the alleged vagueness of the indecency definition. The problem is 'lax enforcement.' One reason enforcement is 'lax' is because the Commission refuses to lift a regulatory finger until a complainant provides the Commission with a tape or transcript of the offending program."
MIM says 'indecent entertainment has life and death consequences'; criticizes FCC Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth's indecency statement
When the FCC issued its indecency policy statement (April 2001), then-Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth issued a separate statement which advocated the elimination of the broadcast indecency prohibition and all but invited litigation to achieve that end. MIM's Bob Peters comments.
Open Letter to U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on FCC Nominees and Indecency Law Enforcement
The Senate Commerce Committee will soon hold hearings to determine whether President Bush's nominations to fill vacant seats on the Federal Communications Commission should be confirmed. Contrary to the views of some, the FCC is not an anachronism. It has and will continue to have a vital role to play in ensuring that our nation's communications media serve the public interest. One way the FCC ensures that the public interest is served is by effectively enforcing the broadcast indecency law (18 USC 1464).
Open Letter to Members of Congress Re: Failure to Enforce the Broadcast Indecency Law
If ever there was a time for Congress to review the statutory role and effectiveness of the Federal Communications Commission in upholding standards of decency in broadcasting, it is now. Radio stations that provide national and local platforms for grossly vulgar "shock jocks" have little to fear from the FCC; and no broadcast TV station has paid an indecency fine in over 20 years. By the end of this year, only Chairman Michael Powell may remain from the present Commission. Enforcement of the broadcast indecency law does not appear to be one of Mr. Powell's priorities.
FCC Lack of Indecency Enforcement Target of MIM Comments
27 March 2000 -- "The FCC has for decades recognized that compliance with [the indecency law] is integral to a licensee's obligation to serve the public interest .... [but the FCC] has not kept faith with the American public to protect them from this evil," said MIM in official Comments submitted to the Federal Communications Commission. MIM's Comments were submitted in response to an FCC Notice of Inquiry "on the public interest obligations of broadcasters as they transition to digital transmission technology." (document in MS Word format). A summary of the FCC's notice is provided at this press release.
The FCC's indecency enforcement policy: 'See no evil, Hear no evil, Think no evil'
Morality in Media has sent a memorandum to the members of the Senate and House committees with oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, saying, "Now is the time for Congress to let the FCC know it means business about curbing indecent TV programming--before the decline in decency standards becomes a total collapse."
News Release for Turn Off TV Day 2000
Morality in Media issued this news release on 1 February 2000 to urge Congressional leaders to challenge the FCC policy that 'hamstrings' indecency law enforcement.
Letter to Congressional Leaders Urging the FCC to Enforce the Federal Broadcast Indecency Law
Print out this letter, make copies for your friends and neighbors, and send it to the key leaders in Congress who have oversight over the FCC. Note: This letter is in Adobe PDF format; you'll need the Acrobat PDF reader from Adobe on your hard drive. You can download it for free from the Adobe Web site if you need it.
Your Action Plan for Turn Off TV Day 2000
The Federal Communications Commission says that it "will act on all documented complaints of indecent or obscene broadcasting that it receives." The problem is that the FCC also requires TV viewers who complain about indecency to provide a tape or transcript of the programming. Few viewers can do so and that means NO enforcement of the indecency law.
Archive of "Current Issues" news articles:
| Issue |
Article Title |
| Media Issues |
'Kinsey' an effort to rehabilitate a discredited 'father' of the sexual revolution |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
Open letter to Kerry on obscenity law enforcement |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
MIM commends FCC for indecency notice against Fox Television |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
What will John Kerry do about enforcement of obscenity laws, if elected? |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
Howard Stern's planned radio program on Sirius Satellite Radio is not an acceptable compromise |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
MIM Statement on FCC's Notice of Apparent Liability against CBS Television for the Jackson/Timberlake/Super Bowl incident |
| Porn's Effects |
The Link Between Pornography and
Violent Sex Crimes by Robert W. Peters
PDF version | HTML version |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
Americans STILL want obscenity law enforcement
against hardcore Internet pornography |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
COPA decision: Once again, Supreme Court thinks it knows better than Congress |
| Internet Issues |
MIM 'saddened but not surprised by Supreme Court's COPA ruling |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
MIM Comments to the FCC, supporting the FCC against NBC's Petition to Reconsider in the 'Bono/Golden Globes' case |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
Hardcore pornographers do not deserve a 'seal of approval' |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
Finally, broadcast network TV is no longer above the law that prohibits indecent or profane language |
| Media Issues |
Television 2003: The Year of the 'F-Word' |
| Media Issues |
The Rogues' Gallery of Television, 2003 |
| Media Issues |
MIM Comments to the FCC on the 'Golden Globes' Case |
| Media Issues |
Turn Off TV Day 2004: How You Can Take Action |
| Media Issues |
Jackson/Timberlake Super Bowl performance 'a national disgrace' |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
MIM commends FCC for indecency notice against Clear Channel |
| Media Issues |
Vivendi-Vivid 'uncensored' music channel means sex, and lots of it. |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
MIM issues Comments in support of review of FCC's 'Golden Globes' indecency decision |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
Senate Concurrent Resolution 77 will help dispel false notions about obscenity law enforcement |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
'60 Minutes' segment shows it has its hopes for the hardcore pornographers |
| Internet Issues |
'There is a special place in hell for pornographic spam,' researcher writes. |
| Media Issues |
Fox's fake 'Skin' — in reality, hardcore pornography business is debased and illegal |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
President Bush issues Proclamation for
'Protection From Pornography Week 2003'
MIM thanks the President |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
New Concurrent Resolution introduced in Congress to support obscenity law enforcement |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
FCC's order on 'Golden Globes' vulgarism 'a complete breakdown of moral sanity' |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
Explosion of porn Web pages underscores need for ObscenityCrimes.org and treaty |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
Comment: FCC Chairman Powell must enforce broadcast indecency law |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
Letter to President Bush for Pornography Awareness Week |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
Porn star gets free plug in New York Times and Times Square billboard |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
MIM and Pittsburgh Coalition praise obscenity indictment from U.S. Attorney |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
'Morality—is it the business of government?' Bob Peters comments on 'Lawrence v. Texas' |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
ObscenityCrimes.org marks first anniversary with 26,000 reports |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
MIM comments on Sen. Schumer's 'porn spam' bill |
| Media Issues |
MIM supports current TV ownership caps in letter to Pres. Bush |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
TV and radio stations on notice: Indecency violations could lead to license revocations |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
U.S. Attorneys move against 'adult' porn |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
ObscenityCrimes.org reports reach 20,000 mark |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
New resolution on obscenity enforcement to be introduced in Congress |
| Obscenity Enforcement |
Jan LaRue: Let's end 'Victims of Pornography Month' |
| Internet Issues |
Analysis of ObscenityCrimes.org data shows kids often exposed to porn spam |
| Radio-TV Indecency |
Letter to FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin on TV indecency enforcement |
| Media Issues |
A Rogues' Gallery of TV, 2002 |
| Media Issues |
MIM interview with Federal Communications Commissioner Michael J. Copps |