Porn Library - Pornography Research Directory

Pornography, Censorship, Free Speech, Obscenity and the Law

What is obscene? What does it mean?

Pornography is often at the centre of the definition of obscenity. It's also the reason behind endless debates on censorship and free speech.

Advocates of the right to speak freely, no matter how offensive that speech may be, have long defended porn's right to exist. Larry Flynt, owner of Hustler magazine, has long been a defender of pornography on the grounds that it's part of America's constitution.

Those who wish to censor include right wing family groups, church groups, conservatives and extreme feminists.

There have been several inquiries into porn and obscenity in the US, the most recent being the Meese commission, which sought to come down hard on porn.

Pornography and the Justices : The Supreme Court and the Intractable Obscenity Problem
by Richard F. Hixon
Examines the way the US Supreme court has dealt with various obscenity cases.

Obscenity and Pornography Decisions of the United States Supreme Court
by Maureen Harrison (Editor), Steve Gilbert (Editor)
Major obscenity and pornography decisions of the United States Supreme Court, edited into plain non-legal English for the general adult and young adult reader.

The Problem of Pornography : Regulation and the Right to Free Speech
by Susan M. Easton
Argues that porn can be regulated and free speech maintained at the same time.

Hate Speech, Sex Speech, Free Speech
by Nicholas Wolfson
Makes a very strong argument for free speech, even if that speech is ultimately hateful.

Pornography : Private Right or Public Menace? (Contemporary Issues (Prometheus Books))
by Robert M. Baird (Editor), Stuart E. Rosenbaum (Editor)
Collection of essays dealing with the topic of censorship and porn in the 21st century.

Justice Talking: Censoring the Web: Leading Advocates Debate Today's Most Controversial Issues
by Kathryn Kolbert (Editor), Zak Mettger (Editor)
Prominent attorneys debate censorship and school vouchers.

Sex, Laws, and Cyberspace : Freedom and Censorship on the Frontiers of the Online Revolution
by Jonathan Wallace, Mark Mangan (Contributor)
A study of the legal issues and ethical debates surrounding porn on the web.

Pornography and Censorship
by David Copp (Photographer), Susan Wendell (Photographer)

Pornography On Trial: A Reference Handbook
by Thomas C. MacKey