Restrictions on the Liberty of Press in United States of America. The Fight Against Immoral Publications (XIX-XX Centuries)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17811/hc.v0i19.533Keywords:
immoral publications, obscenity, liberty of the press, due process of law, Supreme Court, dime novels, pulp magazines, comic booksAbstract
Immoral publications were forbidden practically from the formation of the United States. This was mainly due to the activity of the Vice Societies, which were highly influential between the nineteenth century and the first twenty years of the twentieth century. Some of the most persecuted readings were the dime novels (XIXth century), pulp magazines (1900-1940) and comic books (1940-1956). Critics accused these magazines of being violent and obscene and called for for Acts forbidding their sale. The first Acts related to Post Office regulations, as these magazines used the postal system for their distribution. Later, some states and cities passed Criminal Codes and special laws and orders which included penalties for selling immoral readings. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court declared many of these rules to be unconstitutional as they violated the First and Fifth Amendments.
Fecha de envío / Submission date: 23/03/2018
Fecha de aceptación / Acceptance date: 25/04/2018
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