Iceland drafts Internet porn ban, EU considers "self-regulated" approach

Rick

Posts: 4,512   +66

The European Parliament is mulling over a proposal brought forth by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality which, amongst other things, calls for a self-regulating ban on all forms of pornography in the "media". Parliamentary member Christian Engstrom (Piratpartietnoted the proposal's illy-defined term could be interpreted as encompassing all online content, leading to a possible EU-wide ban on all Internet pornography.

"Self-regulation" indicates the proposed ban would not illegalize pornography, but such a proposal may pave the the way to a future where ISPs and other private actors are given special policing rights over subscribers and Internet surfers. This type of "regulation" is the basis for the six-strike rule and SOPA.

Meanwhile, Iceland has been considering a truly comprehensive ban on "violent or degrading" Internet smut, citing dangers to youth. Unlike the EU's approach though, Iceland's ban would be government-enforced and not left to the discretion of private actors.

The EU's proposal asks member states to, "take concrete action on its resolution of 16 September 1997 on discrimination against women in advertising, which called for a ban on all forms of pornography in the media and on the advertising of sex tourism".

In 1997, the Parliamentary zeitgeist may have not viewed "Internet" as a type of media, whereas TV commercials, shows, billboard advertising and magazines epitomized the term in the 90s. As a result, the re-invocation of wording from a 16-year-old resolution could cast a larger net than intended.

Incidentally, the non-binding (I.e. no teeth) 1997 resolution which spawned the controversial provision above didn't even seem to recognize the Internet as media. In fact, the original resolution called upon officials to create a list of guidelines that ISPs would be encouraged to follow, rather than an outright ban of online pornography.

Much like "media", what constitutes "pornography" isn't clearly defined either. This has generated broader censorship concerns. "I know it when I see it", U.S. Justice Potter Stewart famously proclaimed

EU Parliamentry officials will be casting their votes on Tuesday while Iceland's proposed ban remains in the works.

Permalink to story.

 
What a colossal waste of time. Do they honestly think that banning porn is going to make people stop watching or find other ways to get it?
 
I don't think they're talking about banning porn. the the whole article isn't exactly doing a good job describing what it's saying. if anything it's just a bunch of mumbo jumbo that confuses the reader. it's talking about banning porn in media, but fails to mention what media is. it talks about that it doesn't mean online pornography, but fails to mention what constitutes as pornography. sounds to me like it's just a bunch of women in the north demands more respect but don't know how to get it. I am all for it, except this needs to be a clearly defined objective with concise purpose. right now it's just a bunch of words. it's not even enough at this point to say that they're trying to ban pornography, because it doesn't even appear that way. they need to go back to the drawing board and figure out exactly what they're asking and what they're talking about.
 
That male homosexual pornography must be so degrading to women. It's definitely a good thing it will also fall under the "pornography" umbrella so it can be banned to protect all those women from being degraded. </sarcasm>
 
Some territories are considering legalizing prostitution while Iceland drafts ban on internet porn.

the joy of democracy (or democrazy as some would call it): discussion of social issues and creating rules, regulations, laws for the common good or the benefit of most people.
(banning drugs, legalizing "medical marijuana", banning cigarette smoking in public places, "smoking zone only")
 
It's great now you can choose from an endless library of freakiness to play on your big screen - and in 3D if you like.

Women are just upset they don't have us begging for it every night anymore, making deals to do their evil bidding (eg. put out the trash). Testosterone is very demanding, and we're done working for it.
 
On a ligher note: EU considers "self-regulated" approach.
I initially thought EU considers self-pleasure an alternative to internet porn. :)
damn my dirt mind. :)
 
That's pretty nasty. There are some reasonable limitations that should be put on porn and the internet, like child porn and its online distribution, as they actually result in, motivate or are the result of criminal actions. Just... porn, though? In general? That's an extremely unreasonable limitation if I ever saw one.
 
DO these "self centered women right's activists"(that's what I call them as I see it) TALK about BANNING the choice of women to make a living out of pornography? DID they ask those women WHO actually WORK in the business if it's "ok we will ban your right to do your job, because we say so and we are self centered egotistic, superficial women who like to be revered as godessses, not pornographic actresses" ?

The absurdity in this hypocrisy is so huge, it makes me speecheless. IF women work in the business, who the hell are u to say NOT to do that or another thing, while u sit in your comfort chair in the EU commission and take money from PEOPLE's pockets ?

I hate this kind of attitude towards ppl's choices, just because it fits their agenda. Altough morally, pornography is not well seen in the eye of the average citizen, it's after all, an entertainment segment for those that like to see something extravagant, different or whatever makes their day.

People talk about democracy, but was this ever requested by those that actually participate in the business or people from that commission have so empty lives that they decide for others what the hell they want !?
 
People talk about democracy, but was this ever requested by those that actually participate in the business or people from that commission have so empty lives that they decide for others what the hell they want !?

Democracy is about mob rule, not individual rights. The reason groups like these are able to arbitrate what people can and cannot do is because voting majorities grant them the power to do so, either directly or through proxy. Same thing happens in every other "democracy" across the globe. Always has, always will.

As for the feminists themselves... They're an inexhaustible source of irony. If nothing else, they're good for entertainment.
 
[LEFT][FONT=Arial]This type of ban would prevent someone from seeing THIS post about porn on the internet. [/FONT][/LEFT]

[LEFT][FONT=Arial]It's all fine and good to want to "save the children", but you should not be doing it at the expense of everyone else. [/FONT][/LEFT]

[LEFT][FONT=Arial]Want to save your children? Try banning THEM from the internet because the internet is a place of adult ideas and morals that might not be compatible with your own sense of morality.[/FONT][/LEFT]
 
Hehehhehe... Long time ago in another topic I have told you EU is a neocommunistic, corrupted and well orchestrated robbery of poor Europeans. Hate was in the air then, now all I can say is SUCK IT :) btw. I'm an unhappy European...
 
DO these "self centered women right's activists"(that's what I call them as I see it) TALK about BANNING the choice of women to make a living out of pornography?
If you put it to a vote, I think you will find you are pointing a finger at the wrong ones for being self centered. Porn has grown to the point of being thrown in every womans face regardless of how they feel on the topic. But yet you feel as if they are being self centered, when they ask for discretion. The real question is where to place a fence of compromise. I have more respect for women than throwing accusation such as yours at them. I actually feel sorry for you and the way you feel this world need to turn, all because you want to watch porn.
 
On a ligher note: EU considers "self-regulated" approach.
I initially thought EU considers self-pleasure an alternative to internet porn. :)
damn my dirt mind. :)
Don't we all have to have somewhat of a "dirty mind" to be reading this? :);)
 
Don't we all have to have somewhat of a "dirty mind" to be reading this? :);)
Not at all. Nobody has managed to define what is porn as opposed to art yet anyway.

Normally the construct of "committees" such as this one are bitter, unattractive, and possibly man hating women, that want to deprive men of the pleasure of looking at women who are actually worth looking at in the nude, and are eager to share that wealth of beauty.

On top of which, (massive pun intended), Confucius say, "woman can look up and smile, much longer than man can look down and groan".

The question therefore shifts to, "um, who exactly is using who"?:confused:

Keep in mind that George W. Bushes, "smut czar", was some 62 YO and obviously menopausal old bag, that he sent around the world to preach abstinence before he would cut loose any HIV medicines to countries that needed them. The same principles are a work here.
 
Misogynists, and apologists for misogynists, not to mention apologists for the capitalist swine that propel the industry, reveal themselves as soon as their precious commodity comes under threat. Talking about "rights" and then apologising for an industry of misery responsible for human trafficking and cultivating sexual violence among other things is about as intellectually-lazy as it gets, sorry.
 
The paradigm of women working in the industry is drug-dependency and a history of sexual violence, Even the industry's most successful female star testifies to this saying she'd sooner lock up her own daughter then see her work for the pimp lowlives that run that industry. The only hypcrisy is that of people who rage against patriarchy and capitalism and then make excuses for an industry that thrives on dehumanising women and that contributes to human trafficking and the cultivation of violence against women. Namely, people like you.
 
" Not at all. Nobody has managed to define what is porn as opposed to art yet anyway."

Wrong. Art has no utilitarian value. Porn is a commodity calculated to arouse and excite vapid simpletons with little to no imagination to aid them in masturbating. You will find in academia that there are countless critiques that define and describe their inherent differences. Just because wankers are either too lazy or too stupid to know this doesn't mean your convenient lie has any substance at all. Non-arguments are the sanctuary of porn's defenders.
 
@Guest As a capitalist pig, I would like to say that this thread just became wildly entertaining and I think there's profit in it. If you could be bothered to further pontificate about the chip on your shoulder I would be more than happy to cut you in for a percentage of the advertisement revenue.

Sarcasm brought to you by D!ck's Sausage Poppers -- When life gives you lemons, grab some D!ck's!
 
Back