Pornography and Media Violence....continued
LEGISLATION ON OBSCENITY IN ENGLAND AND WALES
SEX SHOPS - Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
1982. Any shop selling a 'significant degree' of sex articles has to obtain a
licence from the local authority. Licenced sex shops are the only retail
outlets allowed to sell or hire the most explicit 'R18' videos. This includes
sex cinemas.
IMAGES IN A PUBLIC PLACE - Indecent Displays (Control) Act
1981. This restricts what can be seen in a public place, e.g., magazine covers,
videos, window displays etc.
FILMS - Cinemas Act 1985. Local authorities have to licence
any cinemas in their area to approve films shown. Most authorities accept the
classification of the BBFC, which acts as a self-regulating body.
VIDEOS - Video Recordings Act 1984. The BBFC also classifies
videos and refuses those on grounds of violence or pornographic content, or
demands cuts before giving permission. The Act defines the criteria and the
penalties.
CHILD PORNOGRPAHY - Protection of Children Act 1978 and
Criminal Justice Act 1988. It is an offence to possess or distribute an
indecent photograph of a chbild under 16 including images on a computer.
PUBLISHING OR BROADCASTING OF OBSCENE MATERIAL - Obscene
Publications Act 1959 and Broadcasting Act 1990. These Acts define obscenity
and contain provisions on the importance of standards of taste and decency on
television and radio.
TELEPHONES - Telecommunications Act 1984. This Act bans the
use of the telephone system to communicate any material of indecent, obscene of
menacing character, including computer pornography,
Return to the Homepage |
