'Skins': MTV Show called Child Porn by Parents Television Council
Could a popular MTV program be on the verge of breaking child pornography laws? MTV viewers are loving the new show, "Skins," about teens doing drugs and having sex.
However, they just might be having a little too much fun, which has the Parents Television Council upset and the cable channel concerned that some upcoming scenes from the show could expose the company to the long arm of the law. The PTC has called "Skins" television's "most dangerous show," which really makes me want to watch it.
In response, executives have ordered the producers to make changes to the content and take the sexual scenes down a notch. They are concerned about the third episode, set to be broadcast Jan. 31, 2011, The New York Times reports. In the original content set to air, a naked 17-year-old is sown from behind running down a street. The character, Chris, is played by Jesse Carere, who is a high school student with an erection that won't go away due to taking erectile dysfunction pills.
Of course it's nothing new for MTV to be pushing boundaries with sexual and drug-fueled content. The cable channel has been doing it for decades, drawing the ire of the Parents Television Council. But what is different this time is the age of the actors and the alleged sexual nudity, which could be legally problematic if it is allowed to air. Most of the actors on Skins are between 15 and 19. Child pornography is the visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Anyone under 18 is a minor for purposes of child pornography laws.
"'Skins' is a show that addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way ... We review all of our shows and work with all of our producers on an ongoing basis to ensure our shows comply with laws and community standards. We are confident that the episodes of 'Skins' will not only comply with all applicable legal requirements, but also with our responsibilities to our viewers." said MTV spokeswoman, Jeannie Kedas.
Related Resources:
- Is Skins Really "the Most Dangerous Television Show for Children Ever"? (Vanity Fair)
- Feds Continue Crack-Down on Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes (FindLaw's KnowledgeBase)
- The Latest Trend in Child Sexual Exploitation: Rape In Adult Prisons(FindLaw's Writ)