Obscenity and free speech

Pepperdine University's Barry McDonald, a free-speech scholar and former clerk for William Rehnquist, debates government regulation of pornography and obscenity laws with adult entertainment director, producer and distributor John Stagliano.

July 3, 2008

DUST-UP

How harmful is porn?

Today's question: There have been many stories from former porn performers indicating the industry is rife with abuse, coercion and drug addiction. Doesn't the government have an interest in curtailing this behavior through obscenity enforcement? Previously, Stagliano and McDonald debated the economics of porn, the kerfuffle over Judge Alex Kozinski's picture collection and the constitutionality of obscenity laws.

July 2, 2008

DUST-UP

L.A.'s smut empire

Today's question: Economically, porn is a major industry for L.A., and the market is more open and legal than it used to be. Are these positive or negative developments? Previously, McDonald and Stagliano debated the kerfuffle over Judge Alex Kozinski’s picture collection and the constitutionality of obscenity laws.

July 1, 2008

DUST-UP

A judge's porn collection

Today's question: What do the kerfuffle over Judge Alex Kozinski's off-color picture collection and his recusal from an obscenity trial suggest about legal objectivity and popular ideas about porn? Previously, McDonald and Stagliano debated the constitutionality of obscenity laws.

June 30, 2008

Dust-Up

Stuff so raunchy, it's illegal

Today's question: Should there be an obscenity law that outlaws a product that is made with informed adult consent with no laws being broken, and that is increasingly distributed and consumed in complete privacy? All week, Barry McDonald and John Stagliano debate obscenity and the 1st Amendment.