Morality in Media
Morality in Media is an organization that advocates for the enforcement of obscenity laws, asserting a link between pornography and increased rates of violence and sexual crimes. Founded by Father Morton A. Hill, it aims to eliminate illegal hardcore pornography and uphold standards of decency in media, particularly on television. One of its key initiatives is the National Obscenity Law Center, which serves as a repository of legal information on obscenity cases. Additionally, the organization sponsors campaigns such as the White Ribbon Against Pornography and promotes awareness through events like Turn Off TV Day. It publishes a bimonthly newsletter and an Obscenity Law Bulletin to disseminate information on related legal matters. Notably, Morality in Media distinguishes its mission from censorship, arguing that accountability for obscenity should be enforced by law rather than through prior restraint by the government. The organization reflects broader societal debates about media influence, legal standards, and moral accountability.
Subject Terms
Morality in Media
Founded: 1962
Type of organization: National interdenominational religious group opposed to dissemination of pornography
Significance: This body has worked to inform the public and government officials about the destructive effects of pornography and the extent of the trafficking of obscenity
Founded by Father Morton A. Hill and originally called Operation Yorkville, Morality in Media holds that there is a direct correlation between the use of pornography and violent and sexual crimes. It has worked to eliminate illegal traffic in hardcore pornography by encouraging vigorous enforcement of state and federal obscenity laws. It has also worked to maintain standards of decency on television.
A major project of Morality in Media is the National Obscenity Law Center, a research office of legal information on obscenity cases. The group also sponsors the annual White Ribbon Against Pornography Campaign (WRAP) and an annual Turn Off TV Day. In addition to the group’s bimonthly newsletter, its Law Center publishes the bimonthly Obscenity Law Bulletin.
Morality in Media maintains that it does not believe or promote censorship. Censorship is described by the group as prior restraint by government. The organization believes that those who traffic in obscenity should be responsible before the law.