I bought this months Fortean Times and on the front there is a picture of a nude lady with black rectangles over her bits and pieces. Inside the magazine the picture is uncensored. What is the point of this, when under 18's can buy the Fortean Times anyway?
2006-08-04 05:24:24 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
In the United States, the "Miller Test" is generally used to determine if something is obscene, and therefore subject to government restriction.
Basically, if an average person finds the cover to be offensive and explicitly sexual by the standards of his community, the government can censor the picture.
It's not really a clearly defined rule, as opinions concerning offensiveness can vary from community to community. In order to prevent possible charges of obscenity, most magazines will take a more conservative approach just to be safe. Generally, non-pornographic magazines here will not show the nipples, genitals, or a full view of the buttocks, as these can often be seen as "prurient" in conservative communities. Also, sexually suggestive poses would only be used if the model was sufficiently clothed.
The reason the cover is censored, but not the inside picture, is probably just to reduce any kind of challenge or controversy. A person picking up and reading the Fortean Times is not likely to be offended by the nudity. However, a lot more people see just the cover, so the chances of someone being offended and starting a commotion are higher. Thus, the cover gets censored.
2006-08-04 05:41:44 · answer #1 · answered by timm1776 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-07-20 02:35:23 · answer #2 · answered by Terence 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are none, as it is not pornographic.
Why everyone gets their knickers in a twist over simple nudity simply amazes me whilst the death and destruction of war or the carnage caused by drunken drivers raises nary a hair on the back of their heads.
Our priorities are seriously defective!
2006-08-04 05:33:13 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋