Does Porn Damage Our Nation?

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg backed Liberal Democrat MPs who are opposing a ban on a list of erotic acts being shown in porn because they have been judged “harmful” (here).

Three days after a face-sitting protest outside Parliament against new curbs on what can be shown in internet video porn, the Deputy Prime Minister said the new regulations had not got the balance right, and that the state should not invade the privacy of people’s bedrooms. Continue...

He further said that people should be free to 'get their kicks'

Some people have reacted in today's Metro Newspaper (Thurs., 18 Dec.) against Nick Clegg's position:

I can't believe that 'damage to the country's sex industry' is even considered a bad thing (Metro, Wed). The porn industry's existence damages our nation, particularly our children who will grow into desensitised adults. The new laws restricting a list of sex acts, such as spanking, that can be filmed in the UK is not the same as restricting what people can do in their own bedrooms. Tony, Greater Manchester.

Too many young people think violence is a normal part of sex. We need to send a clear message. Nick Clegg, who thinks these new laws may be too tough, needs to wake up to damage done by violent porn. Caroline Natzler, London.

You report that the new porn laws ban 'strangulation', which could suggest simulated murder - images that are already illegal to produce and even to view. In reality, the new laws mainly affect safe and consensual legal acts, as filmed by small, independent producers. They are arbitrary censorship in the guise of regulation. Adrian Bradshaw, via text.