Porn is Not Free Speech (22 April 2002)

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Dear Editor

Re: Liberty Under Fire

In Response to Russel Johnson's letter (April 22), it is not quite clear what Mr. Johnson's position is. I am glad to hear that he is opposed to child porn, however it becomes increasingly difficult to judge the boundary between "adult" and child porn, which paves the way for yet further pushing the boundary. If there is a market for child porn, should we legalise it? This is a moral issue, not an economic issue.

Since when am I attacking civil liberties? Even in the USA, pornography is defined as OBSCENITY, not freedom of speech. The intent of "freedom of speech" clause is for good, for protections of liberty, it was never intended to protect obscenity and degrading, carnal and base images of women. Because I stand on the side of science, research and yes Christianity, which verifies that pornography is harmful to the user and the general society, is Mr. Johnson denying me the freedom of speech?

Furthermore, I referred to pornography on national television (not private), corrupting all who see it. Like many South Africans, I am concerned for the many women and children who get abused by men who act out the fantasies that were fueled by porn. I am saying e-TV and the government should be more responsible by not permitting this poison to be viewed nation-wide. In Cincinnati, where pornography was banned, it resulted in an 86% drop in crime. I am sure even Mr. Johnson would welcome statistics like that.

As for people like myself being framed as the "Christian right", would Mr. Johnson also refer to deputy president Jacob Zuma as "Christian right" because he had the courage and common sense to speak out recently against sex and violence on TV because they fuel sex crimes and undermine the moral fibre of our nation.

I often wonder if the mothers, wives and women of South Africa would be as keen to support pornography as people like Mr. Johnson?

Sincerely,

Rob Mc Cafferty

Africa Christian Action

Christian Action P.O.Box 23632 Claremont 7735 Cape Town South Africa [email protected] - 021-689-4481 - www.christianaction.org.za
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