The Longford Report
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Pornography, The Longford Report (1972) by Coronet Books with an introduction by Lord Longford.
From the publisher:
When the Longford Study Group was first set up it attracted a lot of notice, some of it hostile. But during the year’s enquiry by a group of some fifty distinguished public figures and experts, the importance of its work was rapidly acknowledged.
This report is based on research and evidence from those with special experience in the fields of communications, law and morals. Witnesses included the Minister for the Arts; the Directors-General of the BBC and ITA; censors Lord Harlech, John Trevelyan and Stephen Murphy; the Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police; leaders of the nati0nal press, and leading film, theatre and book critics. Self-confessed pornographers and their customers were also interviewed.
Although the report recommends a change in the obscenity laws, the scope extends well beyond what has been called “the ultimate bastion” of legislation. Pornography is one example-not necessarily the most dangerous-of a general challenge to the basic values of our society. What the Longford Report does is to examine that challenge in the light of discussion and experience. Anyone bewildered by the changing social morality today, especially those who try to guide the young, should not ignore this valuable document.