The Longford Report
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
"To my mind art exists in the realm of contemplation … the moment art becomes an incentive to action it loses its true character. --Kennet Clarke (Longford 1972: 280)" "There remains the extraordinary example of Rembrandt's etching of a couple on a bed, where I do not find the subject at all disturbing because it is seen entirely in human terms and is not intended to promote action. But it is, I believe, unique, and only Rembrandt could have done it." --ibid |
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Pornography, The Longford Report (1972) by Coronet Books is an anti-pornography book with an introduction by Lord Longford. It features an appendix (Appendix V) by Maurice Yaffé which contradicts the report.
The report defined pornography as "that which exploits and dehumanises sex, so that human beings are treated as things and women in particular as sex objects." (412) — a reiteration of D. H. Lawrence's description of it as an "attempt to insult sex, to do dirt on it" (Pornography and Obscenity).
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 national 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.
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