5th Topic: Obscenity, Pornography and Indecency

Obscenity, pornography and indecency: What are the differences between these terms?

1st Critical Reflection
According to "The Oxford Paperback Dictionary", the meaning of these terms are...

Obscenity; page 555:
1. being obscence.
2. an obscene action or word etc.

Pornography; page 622:
1. writings, pictures, or films intended to stimulate erotic feelings by portrayal of sexual activity.

Indecency; page 405:
1. offending against recognized standards of decency.
2. unseemly.

These terms have some connection with each other but aren't too similar. Some of them have the meaning in the sense of sexual part but not entirely. I shall explain it in an order to display the meaning and the difference between these terms.

2nd Critical Reflection
Indecency which derived from the word indecent is an improper or offensive act toward the public. However, it does not rise to the level of obscenity. For example, someone who sat down during the national anthem is sung or played is indecent. Touching or kissing in a public is also indecent. You can say that it is an immoral behavior but also, indecency is something that can be accept and not accept depends on the events or the cultures.

After that, comes obscenity. It is a behavior, word or a display of an act which contains sexual, offensive and lust. Obscenity is something that disgusting, outrageous or can incite lustful feelings. For example, offensive or unacceptable words like mocking or cursing is obscenity. Watching people stripping off their clothes in a strip club which can arouse lust is obscenity. Easier said, it is offensive to ethical principles and moral values.

While indecency can be said as a rude behavior and obscenity is a more outrageous than indecency, pornography is much focus on the sexual part of it. It is a depiction of sexual acts in a material that can cause sexual excitement. Picture and movies that generally contains a sexy person or nude is considered as pornographic materials. It is also known as a display of sexual intercourse but in a form of media and it intended to stimulate sexual desire.

Personal reflection
We waited almost half an hour in the class for the lecturer to come only to find that there are no class but just a brief for our 2nd assignment by Mr Radzi. Well, we are informed to write an essay about "The Role of Media in Socializing; Discuss the human needs that the Media help satisfy in term of the News and Entertainment." for 800 words.


with passion,
~Fadhil~