Antiporn Groups: Feds Should Indict Softer Content

NEW YORK — Reacting to the Justice Department’s indictment of producer John Stagliano on obscenity charges, executives from socially conservative watchdog groups said their organizations are pleased by the indictment, but concerned about the type of material being prosecuted.

“Early indications lead us to believe this material is once again the ‘worst of the worst,’” said Daniel Weiss, the senior analyst for media and sexuality at Focus on the Family. “The Justice Department does nothing to stop the mainstreaming of pornography by only prosecuting material at the extreme edge of society.”

Robert Peters, president of Morality in Media, concurred with Weiss and called on the government to initiate far more obscenity prosecutions.

“The case is an important obscenity case, but standing alone it isn’t going to stem the tide of obscenity,” Peters said. “They’ve just got to do more cases, or the pornographers are going to win.”

Peters asserted that, despite the proliferation of pornography in American society and the “mainstreaming” of adult content, Americans are not accepting of pornography.

“Just because there’s a lot of pornography around doesn’t mean the American people accept it,” Peters said.

Diane Duke, the executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, told XBIZ that Peters’ comments simply demonstrate “how out of touch Morality in Media is with mainstream society.”

“It’s difficult to win any obscenity case, and it will be difficult for them to convict Evil Angel, because most people really don’t want to tell their neighbors what they can or can’t watch,” Duke said.

Duke added that if one looks at all the speech and expressive conduct that groups like Morality in Media lobby the government to restrict, it’s clear that their agenda goes well beyond targeting the adult entertainment industry.

“Morality in Media will not stop at the ‘hardest of the hard,’ and they won’t stop with pornography,” Duke said. “This is [advocating] censorship of the worst sort.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 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 News

Haley Spades Stars in Latest From Immoral

Haley Spades stars with Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and Dean Van Damme in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions, directed by "Porno Dan" Leal.

Octavia Red Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octavia Red has made her Vampired debut alongside Talia Mint and 2023 XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum in the new feature “Hunters.”

Lily Starfire Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Lily Starfire stars with Kyle Mason in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Eating Ass Is the Game."

Country Hotwife Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Content creator Country Hotwife has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY, alongside her husband StagHubby and former XMAs Male Performer of the Year Isiah Maxwell.

Vixen Media Group Celebrates 10 Years of 'Tushy'

Vixen Media Group (VMG) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of studio imprint Tushy.

Cherry Kiss Stars in Latest 'Blind Dates' From Bellesa

Cherry Kiss headlines the 16th volume of "Blind Dates," from Bellesa.

Emma Rosie Toplines Pat Myne's 'Gape For Days 5'

Emma Rosie headlines director Pat Myne's "Gape For Days 5," from Evil Angel.

Adult Time Drops 2nd Installment of Bree Mills Thriller 'Escape From Camp Conversion'

Adult Time has debuted the second episode of the Bree Mills-helmed thriller "Escape From Camp Conversion," from studio brand Girlcore.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Eris Jolie Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Eris Jolie has made her TransAngels debut alongside Bree Brooks in "A Very Filthy Cookout."

Show More