Ban on Smoking in Movies 'infringes free speech', Says MPAA
Motion Picture Association of America faces lawsuit aimed at removing tobacco imagery from films deemed suitable for children
Henry Barnes | July 19, 2016
The MPAA, facing a suit that hopes to see smoking imagery banned from films rated G, PG or PG-13, is arguing that the ban would be an infringement of the first amendment right to free speech. They argue that the ratings should reflect what most US parents would think suitable viewing for their children.
Now the plaintiffs, led by Timothy Forsyth, are arguing that movie ratings are not protected by the first amendment, according to the Hollywood Reporter. They argue that the link between on-screen smoking and teenage uptake is scientifically provable and their complaint is therefore about false advertising.
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| "The MPAA has already incorporated smoking into its rating system. And everywhere there are shrill voices calling for legislation that would further prohibit or penalise the depiction of smoking, some even saying that it should automatically warrant the highest age rating possible. For a little clarification – Peter Pan counts, 101 Dalmatians counts, and so does Pinocchio." Source: http://screenrobot.com/censoring-smoking-film-tantamount-propaganda/ |
<more at https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/19/ban-on-smoking-in-movies-infringes-free-speech-says-mpaa; related articles and links: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/movie-ratings-are-not-protected-911895 (Movie Ratings Are Not Protected by First Amendment, Court Told. Plaintiffs defend a lawsuit seeking an injunction where no films featuring tobacco imagery can be given "G," "PG" or "PG-13" ratings. July 18, 2016) and http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hollywoods-rating-system-blamed-class-869950 (Hollywood's Rating System Blamed in Class Action Lawsuit for Smoking-Related Deaths. February 26, 2016)>
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