What are the obscenity laws in the United States?

Answer by  patti (29325)

There is no uniform national standard of "obscenity" in the United States. First Amendment protections regarding free speech vary from one jurisdiction to another, and they vary over time. What was "obscene" 50 years ago may be on network television today. The notion of what is/is not obscene is always an area of great controversy.

Answer by  patti (29325)

Essentially the obscenity law is the First Amendment. One man's obscenity is another man's art. Who judges? The legal term of obscenity usually refers to a distinction between "socially permitted material/discussions that the public can access versus those that should be denied. " There are strict federal laws against child pornography.

Answer by  mediajunkie (592)

There are many laws. But if the general community finds a piece of work patently offensive, then that work is considered obscene and hence subject to removal or censorship.

Answer by  Ron27 (465)

Obscenity laws in the United States are often said to conflict with the first amendment guarantee of right to free speech. Because of this, the courts have had difficulty defining what is obscene. Generally, for something to be considered obscene it would have to be outrageous enough to offend reasonable sensibilities of a reasonable person.