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Pornography is not bad, nor is it harmful to either consumers or
to the actors, actresses, and models performing the sexual acts.
Rather, pornography is a form of entertainment just like sports,
movies, books, television, and radio to name a few.
It is time for politicians and the mainstream news media to stop
condemning pornography as a social ill and start accepting it as
a normal and healthy form of human expression. Pornography is a
convenient way for people to experience sexual pleasure, relieve
sexual tension, and relax. The pornography industry also employs
tens of thousands of workers, making a significant contribution
to our economy.
Questions
and Answers
 What is
pornography?
Pornography is any
media that is designed to arouse sexual excitement. Sexually
explicit books, magazines, videos, and websites all fit into
this category. In addition, some sexually explicit material on
radio and television may be categorized as pornography.
Is
pornography legal?
Fortunately, the
Supreme Court has ruled that pornography is a protected form of
free speech. However, religious and conservative groups continue
to try to control the distribution of pornography, especially on
television, radio, and the Internet.
Why does the
mainstream media continue to report that pornography is a social
ill?
The mainstream news
media badly misunderstands the role that pornography plays in
our society. Pornography is not a problem that needs to be
fixed. Rather, it is a medium of expression that helps fulfill
our sexual needs as human beings.
 Why do some
people get so upset over pornography?
Some people don't
want to be around pornography because they feel they cannot
control their own sexual urges. Other people believe that
pornography will harm their children. Rather than simply
choosing not to view pornography, these individuals try to
control its distribution so that no one else may see it either.
What needs to
be done?
Either Congress must pass a law overturning FCC restrictions on pornography
and
"offensive"
language in
radio and television, or the Supreme Court needs to issue a
ruling declaring that those FCC regulations are unconstitutional because they
violate the freedom of speech and freedom of press
clauses of the First Amendment.
Where can I
find out more information on pornography?
Below is a list of
resources with more information on pornography.
National
Coalition Against Censorship -
http://www.ncac.org
Index on
Censorship -
http://www.indexonline.org
Feminists for Free Expression -
http://www.ffeusa.org
Electronic Frontier Foundation -
http://www.eff.org
Internet
Freedom -
http://www.netfreedom.org
Free
Speech Coalition -
http://www.freespeechcoalition.com
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