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.