By Paul Barker

If concerned citizens take a stand and oppose inappropriate businesses and media, the community standard will continue to remain high. Every individual has a responsibility to participate in this process.

A Community Standard is the standard of media, business, advertising or entertainment that is accepted by the citizens of a community. Courts often use community standards to determine what type of business or media is allowed in the community. The community standard established in one community may vary greatly from that of another.

Why are Community Standards so important?

Community standards set precedents. For example, if a video store sells or rents pornographic videos, then it could be argued that those types of videos are an accepted part of the community standard. This lowers the standard and sets in motion a chain reaction of more inappropriate businesses locating and operating in that community. If citizens are silent, inappropriate businesses may be allowed to do whatever they wish. However, if concerned citizens take a stand and oppose inappropriate businesses and media, the community standard will continue to remain high. Every individual has a responsibility to participate in this process.

Are we imposing values or religious beliefs on others by defining Community Standards?

No. When we make our community standards clear, we are exercising our First Amendment rights to speak out. Citizens all over the nation work together to create their community standards. Among the national organizations that work effectively with community standards issues are Morality in Media and Pure Hope.

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