opinion

Can Softcore Porn Be ‘Obscene?’

Declaring that “Commercials like those promoting ‘Girls Gone Wild’ are clearly supporting an obscene product,” Tennessee Democrat, Sen. Doug Jackson, has introduced legislation that would outlaw television advertising – both broadcast and cable – of adult entertainment products. “These products are illegal under Tennessee law, and we have a clear interest in preventing their advertising,” the Senator said, according to a recent XBIZ News report.

Now, I’ve always felt that GGW had far too high a level of ‘exposure,’ given its widespread bombardment of late night television with ads that have surely generated a mountain of complaints – and some that featured folks – and daughters of folks – who want this little operation put to bed.

But is this material “obscene?” The words that come to my mind include “fun” or “silly” or “cute” or “naughty” perhaps, but “obscene?”

I ran a poll at XBIZ this week based upon this story, the current results of which I find a bit surprising; as they show that the majority of respondents believe that softcore porn could indeed be possibly considered obscene. I say “surprising” results since I expect our dominantly liberal audience would see softcore as “always ok” – but echoing a similar sentiment to that expressed over the Red Rose stories obscenity case – there does appear to be a “line” that shouldn’t be crossed: and you don’t need to show hardcore material in order to cross that line.

The results might be different if I asked “Do you think Girls Gone Wild is obscene?” instead of the more inclusive term, “softcore,” but one certainty is that there’s a broad diversity of opinions over what and what is not “obscene.”

As for one Democratic Senator’s opinion, Jackson wants “‘Girls Gone Wild’ and their obscenity-laden products” out of our living rooms. “If you have the television on at night, you can’t help but see these suggestive, disgusting commercials advertising a product that is clearly obscene in nature,” Jackson said.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

A Look at the Evolution of Pleasure-Enhancing Pumps

Even though the pleasure industry is famously innovative, most “new” products are still ultimately reimagined versions of previous ones. They expand on the core idea by introducing a new feature or solution that takes the original concept to a new level of sensation, functionality or convenience.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
profile

AEBN Reflects on 25 Years of Innovation, Success

Reflecting on 25 years of success, AEBN honchos Jay Strowd and Bishop Wages harken back to 1999, when the company that would become a storied brand first broke away from an online DVD/VHS mail-order business to evolve as an entity solely dedicated to streaming video.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

Platforming the Pleasure Industry With Our Collective Voice

Very early in my business career, I learned not to mix business with politics or religion. This was a foundational tenet that just made sense. For much of my career, that was easy. However, it has become increasingly difficult to avoid bringing politics into business.

Ken Sahn ·
profile

WIA Profile: Jessica Jasmin

Jessica Jasmin’s heart has always been in production, but there were a number of stops along her route to becoming creative director for Gamma Entertainment.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

The ABCs of POS Systems for Adult Store Owners

What point-of-sale system is best for your adult business? Figuring that out can be frustrating, since the numerous options and acronyms don’t easily translate into a clear checklist of features and benefits you can weigh.

Sean Quinn ·
profile

Hayley Davies: From New Zealand Math Nerd to Fast-Rising Adult Star

Growing up, New Zealander Hayley Davies was a proud nerd who participated in mathematics competitions against students from much higher grades. Her good looks turned out to be a kind of secret weapon, causing peers to underestimate her intellectual acumen.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

How Pleasure Brands Can Leverage Strategic PR Amid Mainstream Media Layoffs

Thanks to the mainstreaming of intimacy products, pleasure brands can now gain broad exposure in all kinds of publications, from Cosmo to Allure to Good Housekeeping. Unfortunately, the economic uncertainty dominating the world and challenging businesses has hit the media sector particularly hard.

Kathryn Byberg ·
profile

Elly Clutch: English Teacher Turned Creator Shifts Into High Gear

Growing up, Elly Clutch often felt a bit strange and out of place. In fact, that feeling has stuck with her for as long as she can remember. Nevertheless, she has grown a lot of confidence since her youth, and now knows that being an outgoing and fun-loving nerd makes her uniquely memorable.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

How to Be a Kickass Guest on a Podcast

Podcasts have become a powerful platform for sharing ideas, stories and expertise. Guesting on podcasts can therefore provide tremendous opportunities to grow your fan base. However, being a good podcast guest goes beyond simply having interesting things to say.

Steph Sia ·
opinion

Strategies for Interacting With 'Tricky' Fans

Dealing with fans can often be a mixed bag for content creators. Most fans are friendly, respectful and willing to pay for your attention. However, along with the good comes the bad — in the form of the occasional hater, boundary crosser or freeloader.

Megan Stokes ·
Show More