High court rules Internet child porn law doesn't violate free speech

Published: 2008-05-23

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Supreme Court's May 19 7-2 decision upholding a five-year prison term for a purveyor of online child pornography was seen by many as having more advantages than drawbacks. One drawback is it could be seen by some as having the potential for eroding First Amendment free-speech rights, but those interviewed by Catholic News Service felt the main advantage of the decision is it creates the potential for more prosecutions of Internet child porn. In its decision the court said a broad 2002 federal law that punishes individuals who sell child pornography or those who seek it does not violate free-speech rights. The decision came in the case of a Florida man serving five years for possessing child porn who appealed an additional five-year sentence on a charge of pandering in child porn. "On the whole, I think it's a very good decision," said Robert Peters, president of Morality in Media.

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