Morality in Media Asking Candidates to State Position on Enforcing Porn Laws

WASHINGTON — Morality in Media (MIM) wants 2012 presidential candidates to state their position on the enforcement of federal laws concerning what it calls “obscene” and “illegal” porn.

The latest salvo against the adult industry was launched today by the group’s bipartisan Coalition for the War on Illegal Pornography.

"The Obama Administration has turned a blind eye to the harm of pornography and has not initiated a single new federal obscenity prosecution since President Obama was inaugurated," said Patrick Trueman, Morality in Media president and former chief, U.S. Department of Justice, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. "We need presidential leadership on this issue."

Although current federal laws prohibit distribution of “obscene” porn, according to MIM, it claims the laws are not being enforced.

The Coalition said peer-reviewed research shows that porn is at “pandemic levels” and leads to addiction among many children and adults and is a significant cause of broken marriages and the sexual exploitation of children and women. “It leads to violence against women and an increase in child pornography and increases the demand for sexual trafficking and child exploitation.”

"We want assurances that the next President will agree to make the prosecution of illegal hardcore pornography a priority of the U.S. Department of Justice. Only then will the harm begin to subside,” Trueman said.

Trueman, who was in charge of adult obscenity prosecutions during the Reagan and Bush I Administrations, claimed that prosecutions of the nation's top pornographers not only led to a dramatic decrease of porn, but also helped stop the production of “violent-themed pornography such as rape films, as well as themes involving children.”

The group is calling on citizens to contact current candidates, as well as President Obama. Their responses will be posted online.

Related:  

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 News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

French Court Suspends Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

The Paris Administrative Court has suspended enforcement of age verification regulations for sites based in other European Union member nations, pending a final judgment on whether France’s AV rules align with EU standards.

UK Parliament Weighs Proposals Targeting Adult Content

The U.K. Parliament this week debated proposed amendments to the pending Crime and Policing Bill, including clauses criminalizing “choking” content — and potentially outlawing paying for sex acts in cam performances and custom clips.

Show More