Jenkins Commission (UK)

The Jenkins Commission, formally the Committee on Obscenity and Film Censorship, was a British government-appointed committee established in 1977 to review the laws relating to obscenity, indecency, and violence in publications, plays, films, and other media. Chaired by Sir Geoffrey Jenkins, a former High Court judge, the commission was tasked with considering the impact of these materials on public morals and to make recommendations for legal reform.

The commission conducted extensive research, solicited evidence from a wide range of individuals and organizations, and published its report in 1979. Its key recommendations included:

• A shift in focus from obscenity to harm: The commission argued that the law should primarily concern itself with material that causes demonstrable harm, rather than simply material deemed offensive.
• Increased emphasis on individual choice: The report suggested that adults should generally be free to choose what they read, watch, or listen to, while stricter regulations should apply to materials accessible to children.
• Relaxation of censorship for consenting adults: The commission recommended that the law should be less restrictive regarding material consumed privately by consenting adults.
• Stronger enforcement against child pornography: The commission advocated for a more robust legal framework to combat child pornography.
• Establishment of a clearer and more consistent system of film classification: The report recommended improvements to the film classification system to provide more informative guidance to the public.

The Jenkins Commission report proved highly influential in shaping subsequent debates about censorship and freedom of expression in the United Kingdom. While not all of its recommendations were implemented in full, its findings contributed to a more liberal and nuanced approach to the regulation of obscene and indecent materials. The report’s emphasis on demonstrable harm and the importance of individual choice continue to be relevant considerations in contemporary discussions about censorship and media regulation.