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FBI INvestigates Wikipedia on Child Porn Laws
FBI INvestigates Wikipedia on Child Porn Laws
In 1976, German rock band, The Scorpions released an album called, "Virgin Killer". The original album cover, which featured a photo of a naked pre-adolescent girl, was banned in the United States because of its child pornographic nature. In an effort to continue marketing the album in America, the band re-issued it with a photo of the band. So why is this thirty-two year old album the source of a fresh controversy?
Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia is being investigated by the FBI for being in possible violation of child pornography laws. Is this a legitimate case? Wikipedia makes the claim that it is nothing more than an open venue for people all over the world to contribute information and/or expertise about any particular topic and therefore not responsible for everything that is posted on its site. Is this simply a reality in today's internet age or should Wikipedia have better controls over what people are allowed to post and know what it's housing.
Available to discuss this topic is president of Morality in Media, Robert Peters.
About Robert Peters...
Robert Peter is President of Morality in Media. He has been a guest on many television programs including three times on Larry King. He has been a diligent warrior in the fight against indecency for over two decades.
Headquartered in New York City, Morality In Media (MIM) works through constitutional means to curb traffic in illegal obscenity. MIM operates the www.obscenitycrimes.org website, where citizens can report possible violations of federal Internet obscenity laws.
Established in New York City in 1962 to combat pornography, Morality In Media works to inform citizens and public officials about the harms of pornography and about what they can do through law to protect their communities and children. MIM also works to maintain standards of decency on TV and in other media. Contributions are tax-exempt.
Morality In Media works through constitutional means to curb traffic in illegal obscenity. It operates the www.obscenitycrimes.org website, where citizens can report possible violations of federal Internet obscenity laws.
The Following Article May Help With Show Prep:
WorldNetDaily.com/ May 07, 2008
FBI investigates 'Wikipedophilia'
Company defends photo of naked young girl, a potential violation of U.S. porn laws
By Chelsea Schilling
In the wake of WorldNetDaily news coverage, the FBI is now reviewing a Wikipedia photo of a nude adolescent that could violate federal child-pornography laws.
The image in question, titled "Virgin Killer" from RCA's 1976 Scorpions rock album, depicts a naked pre-pubescent girl (appearing about 10 years of age) in a provocative pose. Her chest is completely exposed and a small crack is placed over her vagina.
The album's cover was banned in the United States due to its extremely controversial nature and was later replaced with a photo of the band. When WND brought the image to the attention of several Wikipedia representatives, they denied any knowledge of it.
Asked if the photograph of the nude child would remain on the site or be taken down, Jay Walsh, head of communications for the Wikimedia foundation, responded:
I have no idea when it will come down, as I probably already discussed with you - the foundation does not play a direct role in making edits to Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a platform for use by members of the public, around the world.
I understand your concern has been raised with volunteer administrators and editors. They will review and consider your request, in the context of the Wikipedia editorial policies.
As of this evening, the photo of the nude child was still available online.
The nude album cover is just one of many hard-core pornographic images displayed on Wikipedia, WND has revealed.
Mark Pelligrini, regional representative for Wikipedia, told WND, "Wikipedia's goal is to provide an encyclopedia that contains the sum of all human knowledge. To that end, Wikipedia does not censor objectionable material.
"[I]f someone goes to the articles on 'sex,' 'penis' or any graphic topic, we do provide frank descriptions and images," Pelligrini said. "For images, we aim for clinical pictures of the sort you would find in an anatomy or medical textbook."
However, in addition to textbook anatomy images, the following can also be found on Wikipedia:
Recordings of women experiencing orgasms
Videos of nude men participating in "ejaculation educational demonstrations"
Detailed photographs of men and women masturbating
Images of mammary intercourse
Close-up images of topless women and male and female sexual anatomy
Large-scale photos of men performing oral sex on one another (and performing oral sex on themselves)
An illustrated list of sex positions
Threesomes
Matt Barber, a constitutional law attorney who serves as Concerned Women for America's policy director for cultural issues, expressed outrage at Wikipedia's decision to allow sexually explicit images.
"Children use Wikipedia all of the time for reports for school, and this stuff is not just pornography, this is hard-core pornography," he said. "Much of it may even be in violation of our nation's obscenity laws."
Cary Bass, volunteer coordinator for Wikipedia, told WND, "There's not really a definition of pornography."
As for children's access to the site, he said, "If a child is looking at an article about a penis, he should expect to see a penis."
Barber expressed concern about the nude image of the child in particular.
"Although it's an old album cover, it is done in very poor taste," Barber said. "There's no utility in allowing the posting of that image of child pornography on the website. It could appeal to the prurient interests of pedophiles around the world. By allowing that image to remain posted, Wikipedia is helping to further facilitate perversion and pedophilia."
Barber is asking Wikipedia to pull all hard-core pornographic images or post a predominantly featured warning for minors before sexually explicit images are displayed.
"There's no policy on pornography on Wikipedia," Bass told WND. "But of course, we don't want anything illegal on this site."
The online encyclopedia indicated it was inundated with e-mails from concerned users in the wake of WND's initial report.
In a WND poll related to the story, the No. 1 response, at more than 47 percent, had readers saying Wikipedia is clearly violating U.S. obscenity laws and should face prosecution.
To schedule an interview with ROBERT PETERS, call: 630-848-0750 or fill out the Do-It-Yourself Booking Form.
Judyth Piazza chats with Robert Peters, President of Morality in Media, Inc.
judythpiazza@newsblaze.com
Tags: Tags: Politics, top news, High Tech, Legal, Law and Lawyers, Internet
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