Articles
New powers to censor digital media are a threat to free expression
Backlash launches challenge against attempt to shut down British websites with adult content Today, the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2014(1), a new law governing online media, comes into force in the UK. Backlash(2) will challenge the legality of this new regulation as a new threat to free expression. The law […]
On Cultural Harm and Pornographic Diversity
Jude Roberts has a significant post on the problematic concept of ‘cultural harm’, which is frequently used as a justification for censoring pornography, especially in the absence of evidence that pornography is associated with more concrete harms against people. Part of her argument links ‘cultural harm’ to the disproportionate focus of […]
Backlash submits written evidence to Criminal Justice and Courts Bill Committee
Backlash has submitted expert evidence in response to an amendment in the new Criminal Justice and Courts bill expanding the definition of extreme pornography to include fictional portrayals of rape. The summary argument is as follows: The amendment to ban ‘rape pornography’ risks criminalising more than a million otherwise law-abiding […]
David Cameron: Censorship Creep
2014 will see the roll-out of Cameron’s Interner Filter. Billed as blocking porn, the policy is already being used to restrict access to LGBT health and lifestyle material, child protection websites and other forms of political expression. This was predictable because there is no settled definition of what constitutes pornography. […]
Intimidation within the law
There has been widespread uproar at the 9-hour detention of David Miranda, the partner of investigative journalist Glenn Greenwald. Crooked Timber has a useful discussion of the Terrorism Act 2000 which seems custom-designed to allow abuse by UK border authorities whenever its politically convenient. What is significant about this case […]
‘Rape porn’ ban would not close any supposed loophole
Myles Jackman, legal adviser to Backlash, has written a forensic analysis of the case for banning rape porn for Lexis®PSL Crime, reproduced on his blog. Here is a key section: How do the Government’s proposals fit in with the law on the possession of extreme pornography? In brief: they don’t. […]
Essential links defending sexual freedom on the Internet IV
From TorrentFreak: UK Porn Filter will censor other content too. Ally Fogg on Free Thought Blogs: What do men see when they see Page 3? Laurie Penny, New Statesman: It’s Page 3, not online porn, that is the real threat to young women’s health and happines Dani Garavelli on The Scotsman: […]
The UK Porn Filter: Limp And Unwelcome
Guest post by Helen Dale, cross-posted from Thoughts on Liberty So, David Cameron wants to institute a UK-wide porn filter. This news has now reached the US. You are probably laughing at us. If so, that’s a good thing, because the proposal is laughable. It means socially awkward Brits will […]
Developing a consent culture
Guest post by Emily Rape. Sexual abuse. What distinguishes those two horrific things from sex – generally accepted to be one of the most enjoyable pastimes available to us? It’s consent. Consent is vital. Consent is key. Meaningful consent is what makes the difference between sex, and sexual abuse. And […]
Statement on proposed extension of extreme porn ban
The ‘extreme porn’ ban poses a greater threat to the morality and stability of this society than the speculative harms of possessing images merely depicting violence.