opinion

A Little Research Goes A Long Way

Update: AVN has corrected their article since I originally posted this entry. The headline now reads "China Shut Down 44,000 Porn Sites in 2007."

Normally, I opt out of criticizing XBIZ's competition; everybody makes mistakes, and it likely wouldn't take long to find errors and problems in my own work. Having said that, a situation arose today that simply begged for comment....

I was a bit surprised to find a headline on AVN this morning stating "U.K. Shut Down 44,000 Porn Sites in 2007." One reason for my surprise was that I had researched and written a piece for XBIZ stating the same thing -- only in reference to the Chinese government.

"In 2007, the United Kingdom shut down 44,000 pornographic websites, arrested 868 people and penalized nearly 2,000 people involved in Internet porn activities, BBC News reported Wednesday," stated the lead in AVN's article.

That's odd... the Chinese government shut down precisely the same number of websites, and arrested exactly the same number of people in 2007, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

For that matter, the only article I could find on the subject from the BBC reported the same facts, citing Xinhua as its source.

Unless one of the most staggering statistical coincidences in the history of mankind has taken place, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that AVN's reporter got it wrong.

On top of the reporting from Xinhua that served as my primary source of information, the Associated Press and other mainstream news outlets reported the same thing - China is where the crackdown in question took place.

It's a bit baffling to me how someone could confuse the U.K. and China, really. Among other things, while the U.K. has implemented some fairly stringent retrictions regarding "violent pornography," I suspect we would all have heard by now if there were a nationwide crackdown on Internet porn happening in the U.K.

This situation also highlights an interesting aspect of misinformation in the Digital Age; because AVN's article was broadcast via their RSS feed, that same inaccurate story may well be replicated on other sites that carry the feed.

The moral of the story is "check your facts" - especially if you plan to pass those facts along in automated fashion.

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 Articles

opinion

PR Moves: How to Know When It's Time to Hire a Rep

If you’ve achieved a stable career with steady work, but find yourself at an impasse where growth is concerned, it might be time to look into hiring a public relations professional to help you expand your brand and reach.

Hime Marie ·
opinion

Why It's Time for Pleasure Brands to Stop Ignoring B2C Marketing

For many B2B adult brands, marketing to consumers feels like a waste of time. I’ve heard it so many times: “We sell to retailers, not consumers. Why should we invest in B2C marketing?”

Hail Groo ·
profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

The Midlife Movement Is Exploding; Is the Pleasure Industry Ready?

In marketing, there tends to be an emphasis on the younger generation — the trendsetters. The assumption is that appealing to the younger market has a halo effect on older consumers, who look to younger folks for what is on trend.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
opinion

Gender Play Gets Creative With Fantasy Toys

Sex toy manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the value of fantasy products, expanding their lines to include ever more diverse designs. What was once considered a niche market has proven to have broad appeal, demonstrating that people are eager to explore desires that extend beyond conventional human experiences.

Rin Musick ·
opinion

More Than Money: Why Donating Time Matters for Nonprofits

The adult industry faces constant legal battles, societal stigma and workplace challenges. Fortunately, a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to protect the rights and well-being of adult performers, producers and industry workers. When folks in the industry think about supporting these groups, donating money is naturally the first solution that comes to mind.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform

The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

Payment Systems: Facilitator vs. Gateway Explained

Understanding and selecting the right payment platform can be confusing for anyone. Recently, Segpay launched its payment gateway. Since then, we’ve received numerous questions about the difference between a payment facilitator and a payment gateway. Most merchants want to know which type of platform best meets their business needs.

Cathy Beardsley ·
Show More