| Especially for Parents | A View From Riverside Drive |
MIM Quarterly Newsletter |
Obscenity Enforcement |
News articles | Radio & TV Indecency articles |
ARCHIVED MISC. ARTICLES |
| November - December 2007 | ||||
| 10/07 not published | September 2007 | August 2007 | July 2007 | |
| 6/07 not published | May 2007 | April 2007 | 3/07 not published | |
| February 2007 | 1/07 not published | December 2006 | 11/06 not published | |
| October 2006 | September 2006 | 8/06 not published | July 2006 | |
| June 2006 | May 2006 | March 2006 | January 2006 | |
| 12/05 not published | November 2005 | October 2005 | September 2005 | |
| August 2005 | July 2005 | June 2005 | May 2005 | |
| April 2005 | March 2005 | February 2005 | January 2005 | |
| December 2004 | November 2004 | October 2004 | September 2004 | |
| August 2004 | July 2004 | June 2004 | May 2004 | |
| April 2004 | March 2004 | February 2004 | November 2003 | |
| Sept./Oct. 2003 | July/Aug. 2003 | June 2003 | May 2003 | |
| April 2003 | March 2003 | Jan./Feb. 2003 | December 2002 | |
| November 2002 | October 2002 | July 2002 | May 2002 |
| Jul-Aug-Sep 2007 | Oct-Nov-Dec 2007 | ||
| Apr-May-Jun 2007 | Jan-Feb-Mar 2007 | Oct-Nov-Dec 2006 | Jul-Aug-Sep 2006 |
| Apr-May-Jun 2006 | Jan-Feb-Mar 2006 | Oct-Nov-Dec 2005 | Jul-Aug-Sep 2005 |
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.
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.
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.
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
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.