Courts Rule Child Porn NOT Protected Free Speech

RawAlex · 05-19-2008

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/19/...orn/index.html

By Bill Mears
CNN Supreme Court Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a law aimed at preventing child pornography, ruling a provision dealing with "pandering" illicit material does not violate constitutional protections on free speech.

The 7-2 ruling rejected suggestions the law is overly broad, and will stifle a range of expressive or artistic material that is not obscene.

The case involves Michael Williams, convicted in a Florida federal court for promoting child pornography on the Internet.

A 2003 federal law made it a crime not only to produce and possess child porn, but also to "pander" material, conveying the belief that material contains minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The pandering provision covers anyone who "advertises, promotes, presents, distributes, or solicits" this material.

Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority, said Congress' latest attempt to deal with this "threat" was legally "successful."

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Hmmm... Sounds like the courts got it mostly right... but I wouldn't want to be running one of those TGPs packed with underage looking girls!

05-19-2008	#1
RawAlex Members $100 for every ImLive sign-up Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,036	Courts Rule Child Porn NOT Protected Free Speech http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/19/...orn/index.html By Bill Mears CNN Supreme Court Producer WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a law aimed at preventing child pornography, ruling a provision dealing with "pandering" illicit material does not violate constitutional protections on free speech. The 7-2 ruling rejected suggestions the law is overly broad, and will stifle a range of expressive or artistic material that is not obscene. The case involves Michael Williams, convicted in a Florida federal court for promoting child pornography on the Internet. A 2003 federal law made it a crime not only to produce and possess child porn, but also to "pander" material, conveying the belief that material contains minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The pandering provision covers anyone who "advertises, promotes, presents, distributes, or solicits" this material. Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority, said Congress' latest attempt to deal with this "threat" was legally "successful." ---- Hmmm... Sounds like the courts got it mostly right... but I wouldn't want to be running one of those TGPs packed with underage looking girls! __________________ Let's go to the edge of disaster Push the pedal and go a little faster Let's slam into a wall at ramming speed Let's go to the edge of a mountain Jump off and lets start countin' Hit the ground and tell me if it bleeds