http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/05/1728673_comment.php#1728715
'Popular Blogging Site Restricts Use of Breastfeeding Photos:
LiveJournal cites images as 'inappropriate' and sends mothers to the
virtual restroom.
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006 - Women on the popular blog site LiveJournal are
calling foul at the company’s decision to brand images of breastfeeding
as ‘inappropriate.’ Many users of the site have joined together to urge
LiveJournal’s parent company SixApart to address their concerns and
reevaluate the policy.
Small "userpics" of no more than 100 by 100 pixels represent LiveJournal
members throughout the site. Users can define one of these icons
as "default icon" which plugs it into the user's public profile. These
default icons were originally not permitted to be ‘sexually explicit or
graphically violent.’ Recently, icons which depicted breastfeeding were
cited as being ‘inappropriate’ by the LiveJournal abuse team, a group of
volunteers who monitor complaints on the site. After clarification was
requested, LiveJournal changed their FAQ to reflect a no nudity rule and
is claiming that icons with visible areola or nipple are not permitted.
Whether or not areola is visible in a photograph is dependent on a number
of factors, including skin tone of the mother and physical changes during
pregnancy.
Claimed Live Journal Abuse Staffer 'Erin' in a post on the site, "That's
really a matter for the FCC to decide. LiveJournal's policies on this
mirror what would be allowed on primetime TV or in a PG-13 movie."
However, this is not true. The FCC does not consider the act of
breastfeeding on television to fall under the definitions of indecency or
obscenity.
Breastfeeding is exempt from nudity laws throughout the United States as
well as countries such as Canada. Advocates are urging LiveJournal to
adopt the same criteria. "It is regrettable that LiveJournal has chosen to
target breastfeeding mothers instead of standing up for the protection
provided them by law," says Carrie Patterson, executive director of
ProMom.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public
awareness and public acceptance of breastfeeding. Advocates state that the
feeling that breastfeeding should be hidden only fosters the idea that the
natural act of nourishing a child is scandalous.
Breastfeeding bloggers who have refused to change their default icon have
been suspended from the site. These users, as well as others questioning
the policy, have been treated poorly by the site’s volunteer abuse team,
something that is not unusual according to other site users.
More than 1,000 LiveJournal users complained, and SixApart issued an
apology to the group. However, the company refuses to consider modifying
their policy and continues to suspend users whose default icons are deemed
inappropriate. Although LiveJournal stated a clarified rule, mothers are
still reporting major inconsistencies in its application.
The breastfeeding debacle is only the most recent in a long line of
incidents that have people wondering if the abuse procedures as a whole
should be reviewed for fairness and propriety. Complaints have been raised
about users' privacy, inconsistent enforcement of the Terms of Service,
conflicting information and responses from abuse team members, and
discourteous replies to users seeking clarification on the rules.
Activists are now working together to get this policy changed and to
clarify the policies and procedures of the LiveJournal abuse team. While
some are refusing to continue paying for the service, others have moved to
different journaling websites to protest what they feel is a violation of
their rights. For more information, contact Carrie Patterson at 678-513-
6329 or [log in to unmask] or visit http://www.promom.org/bf_info/mp.html.'
Feel free to repost and forward. These press releases will be sent to
every major newspaper and television station across the United States. We
have a team of people currently working on getting them out.
Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC, RLC
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