CYBERSPACE – With typical Humpday Lunch Show aplomb, YNOTBob and LAJ hosted an informative and ever-quirky lunchtime show with a variety of guests that included Michelle Freridge from Free Speech Coalition (FSC), who discussed the new 2257 regulations and the FSC’s position on the issue.Freridge presented the FSC’s stance on the new 2257 regulations, and what the FSC plans to do about it.
“The laws are badly written,” stated Freridge. “They were never enforced and the DOJ was charded with rewriting them. Unfortunately, they made them worse. When the new regulations come out, we expect a 30 day delay between when it comes out and when the government starts enforcing the law. And now, with the new regulations, they can hold people accountable to the new AND the old regulations.”
“I think it won’t be possible for companies to be compliant with the new regulations,” added Freridge. “I believe they’re doing this to pursue and shut down adult businesses. When the business has to spend the money to fight, even if they win the case, they’ve lost time and money and may even have to shut down because of it.”
According to Freridge, the FSC has been preparing for this fight for a long time. “Our attorneys reviewed the proposed regulations and after reviewing them, they prepared specific commentary about how to change the regs. We’re a trade organization, we’re also opposed to [child pornography]. We want adult businesses to run well and make money. No one wants cp. The problem is, the government is not knowledgeable. We want to work with the government to make the best decisions for everyone involved.”
Bob asked, “How worried should the average webmaster be?”
“He should be worried,” said Freridge. “According to the DOJ’s statement, under the new regs, anyone who publishes is also now considered a producer. The regulations are poorly written, redundant and unnecessary.”
Jay wondered about the “bigger master plan” and asked, “How can they make this all stick?”
Freridge was optimistic. “It won’t stick,” she said. “First thing we’re doing is filing an injuction to prevent prosecution, so that while the law is being reviewed, no one will be prosecuted. This is important because without the injunction, they can prosecute and tie people up in court and keep them in limbo until it’s resolved. We’re asking for an injuction on both the new and the old regulations,” she added.
For more information, visit http://www.freespeechcoalition.com.
Related stories: Gonzales Signs New 2257 Regulations
Free Speech Coalition to Challenge New 2257 Regulations
