MTV Changes Racy Content in New Show 'Skins' Because It Feared a Criminal Violation
MTV executives have ordered changes in a new show called Skins because of fears that some explicit scenes could violate child pornography laws.
MTV execs were particularly concerned about an episode airing Jan. 31 that originally showed a naked 17-year-old actor from behind as he ran down the street, the New York Times reports. The newspaper describes the show as a drama about the “sexual and drug-fueled exploits of misfit teenagers.”
The Times story is based on an account by an executive who asked for anonymity.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Justice Department guidance says that, in some cases, “a picture of a naked child may constitute illegal child pornography if it is sufficiently sexually suggestive.”
