Pornography sparks discussion

Hustler magazine published a cartoon of the characters in The Wizard of Oz having sex with Dorothy -- and her little dog, too.

Should this form of pornography be protected by the First Amendment? Should it be censored? Is it offensive to women? These issues are among the many that will be raised at the round table discussion, "The People vs. Larry Flynt: Hollywood First Amendment Hype or Cover-Up of Harms Against Women?"

"The movie is packed with important societal and legal issues that are ripe for discussion," said Clay Calvert, assistant professor of communications and associate director of the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment.

The discussion, sponsored by the Center and the College of Communications, will commence at 7:30 p.m. today in 112 Kern.

Three panelists will speak at the forum and address any questions the audience may have. Calvert will tackle First Amendment issues and news media ethics. Associate professor Michael Johnson specializes in sociology and women's studies and researches domestic violence issues. Assistant professor of media studies Shari Roberts will focus on the portrayals of women in film and other media.

The moderator for tonight's event, Robert Richards, is an associate professor in journalism and law and the founding director of the Center.

At a movie screening, Tim Janowiak, (graduate-business logistics) said he thought Flynt used the First Amendment to his advantage.

"As far as freedom of speech, the movie didn't go about it in the right way," Janowiak said. "It's a good thing to go for, but Larry would use the First Amendment to cover himself and to get out of (courtroom hassles)."

Flynt did use freedom of speech to protect himself, Calvert agreed.

"(The movie) uses the First Amendment as a shield to fend off criticism and a sword for the admittance of business," Calvert said. "Flynt used the First Amendment to keep his business thriving -- whether the framers of the First Amendment intended to protect business such as Flynt's is highly questionable."

The panel intends to offer a number of different perspectives on topics such as the First Amendment issue and the subordination of women in society, Calvert said.

The movie fails to show the consequences women often experience as a result of exposure in pornographic magazines, Roberts said.

Sabrina Chapman, director of the Center for Women Students, said she will be at the meeting with an interest in the portrayal of women in film and the absence of the violence pornography can cause.

"The movie tries to deal with certain issues -- like the violence pornography can cause against women -- in order to make it entertaining," Roberts said. "That's Hollywood."

A Hustler magazine photograph portrayed a woman being gang-raped on a pool table. Following the publication of this picture, the model was a victim of a gang rape on a pool table.

"The movie depicts Larry Flynt as a First Amendment hero," Calvert said. "On the other hand, while he might be a First Amendment hero to some, his publications caused harm to society in general and women specifically."

Calvert and Roberts said the film will serve as a springboard for the discussion of important legal, political and social issues.

"We can use this movie as an educational tool and create a discussion at the round table," Roberts said.