[Previous entry: "Top UK stars may be prosecuted for their bizarre obscenity"] [Next entry: "Humanitarianism does more harm than good - says man who worked for humanitarian orgainizations"]

10/27/2008: "Anti-porn law will target the right people (UK)"

Westwood, 45, eldest son of fashion designer Vivienne and her first husband, Derek Westwood, has joined the campaign Caan - the Consenting Adults Action Network - which claims he is the first of several artists and celebrities planning to lend their names to the battle to overturn section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which gained royal assent earlier this year. It was intended to target people who view illegal hardcore pornography websites. Under the new rules, criminal responsibility shifts from the producer - who is already responsible under the 1959 Obscene Publications Act - to the consumer. It makes it illegal to have pornographic material that depicts necrophilia, bestiality or violence that looks life-threatening or likely to result in serious injury to the breasts or genitals.

Campaigners fear the new law will criminalise thousands of people who use violent pornographic images as part of consensual sexual relationships. 'They say this is about violence but it's distinctly about sex,' said Westwood. 'I feel the stick is always pointed at pornography as this terrible corrupting influence, this idea that it makes people do things that they wouldn't have done otherwise.

The law means artists such as the Chapman brothers and Tracey Emin could find their work falling foul of the law. The Home Office insists the act is meant to target only internet porn.

[ This law is good simply because it is an effective way to lock up (or at least punish) some of the most vile people in society. Look at it from the view of who it will target, rather than what you think about censorship issues generally. ]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/oct/26/photography-pornography-law