The following Press Release was sent to the AP a few minutes ago:

For Immediate Release
From: Andrew Rhodes, President, Parents For Education, Not Legislation

In a few days, the American Library Association kicks off its annual “Banned Books Week”. This event celebrates the Freedom to Read and informs citizens of efforts by various individuals, organizations, and political entities to deny citizens those Freedoms.

The ALA focuses primarily on books that have been banned and encourages citizens to stand up for their Rights to have access to such media. But, in addition to the written media of books, other forms of media also face censorship, banning, or other forms of control or limitation to access or creation of said media.

Decades ago, legislation was enacted in various states and even at the Federal level which, supposedly, was to “Protect The Children” from various forms of harm. Legislation such as “Community Standards” and “Public Nuisance” laws were enacted, initially, to regulate the sale or rental of various “adult” material to minors. At the time, the material being regulated was clearly defined in description and claims were made that such legislation would not be misused by expanding to other content, in effect circumventing the First Amendment.

In the end, however, those laws, either directly or even just the threat of calling down their heavy hand, have been used to justify not only the censorship, banning, or manipulation of book sales or even the existence of books in libraries, but other forms of media as well. From TV shows and movies, to music, to video/computer games, to even what can be spoken in news stories or editorials.

Many have used the argument of “Protect The Children” to justify pushing one’s own personal, religious, and/or political ideals upon others. Many individuals, organizations, and/or political entities feel that their own personal, religious, and/or political ideals are superior and “morally correct” over everyone else’s to the point where those ideals MUST be required of every individual and/or Parent.

We of PFENL believe that Parents and non-Parents alike should have the Freedom To Choose what is or is not appropriate for themselves or their own children, even if someone else finds the same material inappropriate for themselves or their own children.

We encourage those of you who are knowledgeable to share with those who are not as well informed the existing resources to make informed decisions about various products, from books to video games to movies and other forms of media. There are plenty of resources out there for us to obtain enough information to make our own well informed decisions about everything. From the media we expose ourselves to, to the foods we eat, to the insurance we choose, to the jobs we seek, and more. As well informed individuals and Parents, we would always welcome opinion and insight, but none of us who are truly intelligent and well informed require others to make the decision for us.

There are many who oppose various media for a variety of reasons and provide false and misleading information. We ask that, even should you be harried and have little time for a long drawn out research of any particular product, that you do seek multiple sources of information. We have seen many times individuals and organizations that would outright lie to citizens and even to the government to dictate their beliefs upon others. We ask that you take the time to research properly as you would any other aspect of your life.

“Banned books Week” runs from September 27, 2008 – October 4, 2008. You can obtain more information on the event from:
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.cfm

The ALA will certainly make further announcements about their own specific event. But as you observe the events of this important week, we hope that you will also consider the myriad of other forms of media that also face censorship, banning, and/or manipulation. Protect your Individual Rights as well as your Parental Rights.

Andrew Rhodes, President, Parents For Education, Not Legislation
pfenl@email.com
23Sep2008