Developments in the media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Developments in the media - Essay Example The nature of the electronic medium and the ease and facility of access, distribution, and duplication afforded by the Internet has made it very difficult for Governments to devise effective systems to regulate content on the Internet and prevent the exploitation of impressionable youngsters. While several measures have been taken to tackle the problem, the difficulties in pinpointing jurisdiction and the absence of effective filtering methods are significant drawbacks in bringing about effective regulation to protect children from pedophiles and distributors of obscene material. Internet and regulation: One of the major issues that need to be considered is the enormous capacity for copying and reproduction that is afforded by the digital environment.3 In a digital environment, with free availability of information and the facility for easy duplication of material coupled with the difficulties in restricting access, potent dangers are posed to children who may be exposed to offensive , the pornographic material on the Net. For example, Lewis has discussed the scope of the reforms to the Sexual Offenders Act of 1997 by way of the Sexual Offences Act of 2003, as a result of which a wider range of offensive activities against children has been brought under the purview of protection offered for children who are vulnerable to sexual abuse4. This Act also creates a new offense of â€Å"grooming† whereby a person attempting to lure a child into a sexual activity will be guilty even if the actual offense has not occurred.