Senator Blackburn Highlights Anti-Porn Lobby NCOSE as EARN IT Backer

Senator Blackburn Highlights Anti-Porn Lobby NCOSE as EARN IT Backer

WASHINGTON — Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) issued a statement this week listing NCOSE — formerly Morality in Media — among supporters of the controversial EARN IT Act, which has been overwhelmingly condemned by leading digital rights and free speech organizations, including Free Speech Coalition.

Blackburn, one of the sponsors of EARN IT, also claimed that the act targets online platforms because they supposedly “have made it easier for pedophiles to groom and exploit children.”

The Tennessee Republican released her statement to celebrate the rushed, debate-free process that resulted in EARN IT’s passage by the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.

According to the FSC, the EARN IT Act, reintroduced into the Senate on Jan. 31 by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), “looks to be one of the most dangerous censorship bills in recent history.”

Though unanimous, the hasty Judiciary Committee vote to move EARN IT towards a Senate vote was preceded by several senators from both parties voicing serious concerns about its implications.

Senators Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Alex Padilla (D-California) and Chris Coons (D-Delaware) all expressed personal reservations about EARN IT and shared comments they had received from a vast number of organizations and constituents.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), the senator with the most expertise on technology and the internet, and one of the drafters of Section 230 in 1996, tweeted last week that “the #EARNITAct is SESTA-FOSTA on steroids.”

Wyden added that “SESTA-FOSTA didn't help victims” and included a link to a 2019 article showing that the much-criticized law had actually resulted in an increase in sex trafficking.

Companion legislation to EARN IT is being introduced in the House of Representatives by religiously motivated anti-porn crusader and SESTA-FOSTA mastermind Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Missouri), together with co-sponsor Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas).

Sen. Blackburn Says the Quiet Part Loud

In this week’s official statement, Blackburn’s office boasted that EARN IT is being propelled through the legislative process with the support of “groups, survivors and stakeholders, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Rights4Girls, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation [NCOSE], National District Attorneys Association, National Association of Police Organizations, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, International Justice Mission and Major Cities Chiefs Association.”

The statement includes Blackburn's sensational claim that “online platforms have made it easier for pedophiles to groom and exploit children. There is no excuse for the tech industry not to secure the platforms that enable abusers. The EARN IT Act will push Big Tech to take the necessary steps to make it safer for kids to get online.”

Blackburn’s statement also hails the establishment of a politically appointed “National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention” to regulate internet speech, which will include appointees from the worlds of “law enforcement, survivors and victims’ services organizations, constitutional law experts, technical experts and industry.”

Anti-Porn Lobby NCOSE Rebrands, Partners Up with Law Enforcement

NCOSE, an organization whose core mission is to “eradicate pornography” and which was known as Morality in Media until 2015, has been busy fundraising by rebranding itself as an anti-“human trafficking” organization.

This week, it was announced that NCOSE, whose previous actions include attempting to ban “obscene books” and preventing grocery stores from displaying Sports Illustrated, which NCOSE deemed “hardcore pornography,” had participated in an operation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department that targeted sex workers during the week leading up to the Super Bowl.

As Reason magazine reported, “more than 200 sex workers were arrested as part of an operation that police have billed as an attempt to save people from human trafficking. The arrests [...] represent an-all-too-common theme in U.S. law enforcement, where people claim to be helping sex workers while actually subjecting them to harm. The [LASD] took the lead on this round of sex worker arrests, which they have christened with the creepy name ‘Operation Reclaim and Rebuild.’”

On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference, Reason reported, “to brag about Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, an annual operation that's now in its seventh year. Villanueva was joined by representatives of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, a conservative values group formerly known as Morality in Media which aims to eradicate all sex work.”

Villanueva, who is currently embroiled in a feud with his civilian overseers over police funding and an accusation of tolerating active gangs of sheriff deputies, whom he routinely refers to as “my personnel,” offered no explanation during his press conference as to why his department decided to involve a religiously motivated anti-porn lobby in this heavily armed operation.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Niki Media Acquires BritSexCash

Production studio Niki Media BV has acquired affiliate program BritSexCash.

FSC Warns of Nude Photography Site Falsely Claiming Affiliation With Organization

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) published a statement Friday warning of a nude art photography website fraudulently claiming to be associated with the industry trade organization.

MojoHost Reaffirms Commitment to Adult Industry Amid Project 2025 Implications

In the wake of Tuesday's election and amid concerns about the possible ramifications for the adult industry, MojoHost President Brad Mitchell has releases a statement addressing Project 2025 and the future of the industy.

Adult Web Hosting Service 'Midnight-Host' Launches

Midnight-Host, a new web hosting service designed specifically for adult websites, has launched.

ASN Lifestyle Magazine Joins Pineapple Support as Media Sponsor

ASN Lifestyle Magazine has joined the ranks of over 60 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support, partnering with the organization as a media sponsor.

Adult Industry Reacts to Trump Victory

On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump was reelected, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris to reclaim the office he lost four years ago.

Fetisfy Online Fetish Marketplace Launches

Fetisfy.com, an online marketplace for users to sell fetish items, has launched.

Pineapple Support Launches 'Spill the Tea, Colombia' Community Support Event Series

Pineapple Support has launched "Spill the Tea, Colombia," a monthly, in-person community support event for adult industry professionals.

Streamster Launches 'Tip2Peep' Camera-Switching Feature

Live-streaming software provider Streamster has launched Tip2Peep, a new feature that allows viewers to switch between multiple webcam viewing angles by tipping the creator.

Tyler Wu Guests on Chaturbate's 'Sex Tales' Podcast

Tyler Wu is the latest guest on Chaturbate’s “Sex Tales” podcast, hosted by Melissa Stratton and Vanniall on the company’s “Camming Life” YouTube channel.

Show More