CNBC porn special comes under fire

Morality in Media: NEW YORK, — On July 15, at 8 pm Central Time, CNBC aired a special entitled, “Porn: Business of Pleasure,” which takes a “behind the scenes look inside the multi-billion dollar porn businesses, from the threats to its profitability to exclusive behind the scenes interviews with the industry’s biggest stars.” The same program is scheduled to air on July 28 at 8 pm CT.

Morality in Media President Robert Peters commented:

“Based on the promotional material available on the CNBC website and TV critic reviews, Morality in Media issued a Release on the afternoon of July 15 about the CNBC Special, “Porn: Business of Pleasure,” which first aired that evening at 8 pm Central Time. The porn special has continued to air at various times and will air again this week on Tuesday evening at 8 pm CT.

“I have since watched the program, and it is worse than I had anticipated. Typical of programs of this nature, the program does include brief statements from two eloquent opponents of pornography, but more time is spent interviewing Jesse Jane, one of the top female performers in hardcore pornography, and showcasing her work than the time allotted to those who oppose the proliferation of pornography.

“No one responds to the comments and aspirations of Jesse Jane, whereas in each instance when an opponent is allowed to make a statement, his statement is then refuted by a porn defender.

“As with prostitution, so with the business of hardcore pornography, there are ‘success stories’ of sorts. Some individuals in each ‘business’ do adjust to the ‘lifestyle’ and defend it publicly. In the world of hardcore pornography, a few women also become successful financially. But for most women participation in prostitution or hardcore pornography is not a positive experience.

“There are also negative consequences for the mostly male viewers of all ages who become addicted to pornography and for women and children who are harmed by males addicted to pornography. That side of reality got a few minutes in this CNBC special.

“In addition to showcasing the work of ‘Jesse Jane’ (real name Cindy Taylor), the CNBC special also showcases the work of several other female success stories in the world of hardcore pornography, including Joy King, who is Vice President of Special Projects for Wicked Pictures.

“What the CNBC Special doesn’t mention is that Wicked Pictures does not specialize in pornography that appeals to the kind of women Ms. King is purportedly trying to reach. Among other things, Wicked is big on ‘Gonzo’ porn, which is degrading to women and often violent, ‘teen porn,’ including DVDs on ‘teens for cash,’ and sadomasochistic abuse, including bondage and flogging.

“Quite surprisingly, the CNBC special doesn’t mention the ever-present problem of sexually transmitted diseases in the California-based world of hardcore pornography. Recently, it was reported that there have been 22 known cases of AIDS in the ‘business of pleasure’ and that is probably an undercount. And it doesn’t include all the other diseases the performers contract.

“To summarize the message of CNBC’s family hour special, ‘Porn: The Business of Pleasure:’

“Pornography is here to stay, so those of you who don’t like it might as well get used to it. Furthermore, enforcement of obscenity laws is ‘censorship’ and unAmerican. The ‘business of pleasure’ is facing hard times from the economic downturn, piracy and free porn, but it will survive. One high point is the growing influence of women. Not only are more women buying porn, which is a good thing, some are making big money, which is an even better thing.”


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