Norwegian Feminists Want New Porn Ban

Got something to share with the reading public that isn't an action but should be read?

Moderators: delphyne, oneangrygirl, deedle, sam

Norwegian Feminists Want New Porn Ban

Postby StuartM » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:02 am

Norwegian Feminists Want New Porn Ban
By Bernt Erik Pedersen

Kvinnegruppa Ottar (Women's Group Ottar) have raised the demand for a new ban on porn. Feminist porn is a derailment according to several Norwegian feminists.

“We now have a ban on buying sex. The logical consequence should be a ban on the purchase of porn” says Marielle Leraand, Oslo director of Women's Group Ottar and a known left-wing activist

Dagsavisen yesterday told of the Swedish film-maker Mia Engberg's feminist porn project "Dirty Diaries: 12 Shorts Of Feminist Porn", which has received support from the Swedish Film Institute. The film is now ready for release in Norway. Feminists on the Norwegian left however are sceptical of Engberg project and urge instead a new struggle against all porn.

“Porn is connected with human trafficking, which is a serious international problem. The answer to this is not to make a little nicer porn. It will not make any difference" says Leraand.

New alliance

During the debate the meeting, "Is the porn fight over?" at the Literature House last week Ottar called for a new, broad alliance against pornography, with the aim of achieving a ban on porn. Among the other participants in the debate panel was Rød Ungdom (Red Youth), Sosialistisk Ungdom (Socialist Youth) and Kvinnefronten (the Women's Front), who are now discussing a new strategy in the fight against pornography. The Supreme Court opened in 2005 for the sale of pornographic films and images showing normal sexual intercourse. 'Dirty Diaries' would have been banned from being sold in Norway just a few years ago. Meanwhile there's a new law against buying sex, as Leraand draws parallels with:

“It is a paradox that it is illegal to buy women on the street while it is legal to buy women on the internet, in magazines and in films. Also porn is trafficking in women. A ban would affect 'Dirty Diaries' also, even if has 'feminist' on the cover, "says Marielle Leraand.

She wants to ban the sale of pornography, both over the counter and on the internet.

“The argument many use against prohibiting online porn is that it is impossible to implement. We believe on the contrary that it's realistic. The State can prohibit the banks from transferring money to online porn companies as it is now does with online gambling" she says.

“We're working to create a new public campaign against pornography with the clear aim of a ban. We want a campaign that brings together everyone from Christian conservatives to those on the left and which can push the politicians on this".

Supports ban

Vilde Haug Amundsen, feminist leader of Socialist Youth, supports Ottar's initiative.

“I think a ban on porn is worth working on. We should definitely be able to block payments over the internet to porn companies. Pornography is oppressive and discriminatory, with men making money on the purchase and sale of women" says Amundsen.

“The term 'feminist porn' is a total derailment. No matter how feminist one thinks the project is, there is still talk of the buying and selling of the female body. That is Socialist Youth on principle opposed to. I find it hard to see anything feminist in 'Dirty Diaries'" says Socialist Youth's leader.

Red Youth and Women's Front, the other two participants in the discussion meeting about porn, however, are somewhat more hesitant to Ottar's initiative.

“Red Youth has not decided whether we will support a ban on porn as Ottar outline. But we will be part of further discussions, it is a pity that the fight against pornography has stood still for so many years" said Red Youth's leader Mari Eifring.

“It is possible to make feminist porn, but it is no solution. It is not feminist porn young people come across on the internet. Although there are alternative forms of porn it is important to create an awareness around oppressive porn".

In the late 70s United Action Against Pornography and Prostitution included a number of organizations ranging from the communist AKP (ml) to the Inner Mission, with a total of half a million members. It wouldn't work today says Eifring:

“I am not sure whether it is wise to enter into an alliance with Christian conservatives, for example. There are major differences in principle among those against pornography and the climate today is different from that in the 70s and 80s".

Will invite Engberg

Women's Front are now working to invite the Swedish film-maker Mia Engberg to a debate in Norway about 'Dirty Diaries' and feminist porn.

“I think Mia Engberg's project is exciting" says Torill Nustad head of the Women's Front. “Women's Front does not want to ban all sexual depictions, but we want to ban porn which spreads violence and oppression against women. We must define what we mean by pornography which I think Women's Front and Ottar disagree on”.

(From Dagsavisen)


It's amazing that the anti-porn movement had half a million members in Norway in the 70s (or 10% of the entire population) and it was its strength that helped prevent porn being legalised until 2005 - as a result of a decision by the unelected Supreme Court. It's great the Norwegian left seems pretty united in being opposed to the porn industry and a new campaign would definitely be welcome.

I saw a debate from a few days ago on Norwegian TV between Ottar's leader and some stupid liberal who rabbited on about her 'consenting adults' nonsense. Interestingly Engberg who was also briefly interviewed said she's opposed to paying for sex and wants to overthrow capitalism and completely challenge mainstream porn. So I've got a good bit more sympathy for her than any of the other so-called 'feminist pornographers'. But Ottar and Socialist Youth's concerns about her film possibly helping to legitimise exploitative, commercial porn are obviously totally justified.
StuartM
antiporn star
 
Posts: 150
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:18 pm
Location: Lund, Sweden

Re: Norwegian Feminists Want New Porn Ban

Postby sam » Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:09 am

:wav:

In solidarity with my Norwegian sisters, a reprint of one of my favorite examples of how pornography harms women. Pro-pornstitution folks talk a lot about unionizing women, but when women actually do form unions the result is a genuine challenge to sexual abusers, not cooperation with them.


Norway hotel staff want porn ban


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3928441.stm
Norway's hotel workers are pressing for a ban on pay-TV pornography to protect staff from sexual advances from over-excited guests.

The main hotel and restaurant employee union says a growing number of its staff are facing such harassment.

It says some guests, often businessmen, call the reception for extras - such as fresh towels - to lure female staff.

"It can be very unpleasant to get called to a room to be met by a naked man," said a union official.

"Some have found themselves in the presence of men watching X-rated movies and several have been accosted," Eli Ljunggren said.

"We have received complaints from a number of our members who have found themselves in very uncomfortable situations while in the rooms," Ms Ljunggren added during an interview on Norway's public radio station, NRK.

The Scandinavian country has some of the strictest pornography laws in the world.

However, most Norwegian hotels broadcast erotic films for a special fee.
"Your orgasm can no longer dictate my oppression"

Trisha Baptie
sam
chaotic good
 
Posts: 4391
Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:54 am

Re: Norwegian Feminists Want New Porn Ban

Postby gbl » Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:07 pm

I see the idea there is "positive porn" has seeped into mainstream feminism now. It used to be only the Sprinkles crowd. Five years from now, will there be no opposition to porn whatever, from any corner, save an ageing and dismissed Radical Feminist bunker?
gbl
antiporn star
 
Posts: 330
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:45 pm

Re: Norwegian Feminists Want New Porn Ban

Postby berryblade » Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:46 pm

gbl wrote:I see the idea there is "positive porn" has seeped into mainstream feminism now. It used to be only the Sprinkles crowd. Five years from now, will there be no opposition to porn whatever, from any corner, save an ageing and dismissed Radical Feminist bunker?


Sounds scarily accurate.

I'm honestly thinking a zombpocalypse would be easier to survive (sorry, couldn't help myself)
I'll feel no fear or hate as I commit menocide
Kill your masters.
'Menocide' - Otep Shamaya
berryblade
antiporn star
 
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:44 pm
Location: Perth, Australia

Re: Norwegian Feminists Want New Porn Ban

Postby StuartM » Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:30 pm

After Socialist Youth came out in support of a ban their sister party the Socialist Left have also picked it up. However it seems the other two parties in the red-green coalition aren't so enthusiastic:

Socialist Left support stricter porn law
By Bernt Erik Pedersen

Women's Group Ottar's desire to ban porn receives support from the Socialist Left, but splits the red-green parties.

“I am positive about this. The Socialist Left want more restrictive pornography laws".

So says the Socialist Left's representative in the parliament's Culture Committee, Gina Barstad.

The Norwegian porn debate has flared up again in the wake of the Swedish state-funded film "Dirty Diaries" which film-maker Mia Engberg characterises as "feminist porn".

In Dagsavisen last week Women's Group Ottar demanded that the law restricting the purchase of sex is now followed up by a new prohibition on the purchase of porn. Ottar advocate a new bi-partisan front against porn modelled from the 70 'People's Action Against Pornography' which included everything from AKP (ml) to the Inner Mission.

Ottar believe it should be possible to prohibit the transfer of money to the porn companies on the web, just as banks are not allowed to transfer money to foreign online gaming sites.

“The comparison to online gambling is relevant. It must be possible to stop also the purchase of pornography on the web" says the Socialist Left's Gina Barstad.

“I do not see it as a problem in relation to freedom of expression. Porn is prostitution on film. With the sex purchase law in place it is logical to have new porn legislation too" says Gina Barstad.

Quick

“A few years ago it was only the radical women's movement who opposed buying sex. Today it has become law and it went quickly. Now we have to do the same with pornography” says Barstad.

This week shall Ottar, in consultation with their lawyers, discuss specific proposals for stricter porn legislation.

“If Women's Group Ottar come up with concrete proposals we will gladly follow it up. I do not think we're in the position for a new parliamentary bill just yet. But I would happily help facilitate a new cross-party engagement on porn. The Socialist Left have long wanted a debate about pornography at the political level. In recent years we have seen an explosive growth in access to pornography" says Gina Barstad.

Restrained red-green support

The Socialist Left's partners in the red-green government are more reluctant to enter into a debate on legislation about pornography.

“I'm not sure if it is possible to prohibit the purchase of pornography. Legislation in this area has been liberalised and it is difficult to reverse. But I will not dismiss a new debate about the tightening of pornography legislation" said the Centre Party's representative on the Cultural Committee.

Chairperson of the Culture Committee, Labour's Gunn Karin Gjul, has not responded to Dagsavisen's inquiries in this matter. Neither have the Labour Party's two other representatives on the Culture Committee, Gunn Olsen and Arild Stokkan Grande.

Adequate

“The current legislation is adequate” says Anette Trettebergstuen, representing Labour in the Work and Social Affairs Committee.

“The prohibition line on pornography was carried forward when parliament amended the penal code last year. We tightened the law with regards to child pornography. I do not know what kind of a ban Ottar want? A ban on all access to pornographic material on the Internet?” asks Anette Trettebergstuen.

I think Ottar and Labour disagree on the definition of pornography. I do not support the porn industry but the solution is not even more bans” says the Labour Party representative.
StuartM
antiporn star
 
Posts: 150
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:18 pm
Location: Lund, Sweden


Return to essays, articles, rants for public view

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 35 guests

cron