The Village Voice claims that it is the “definitive source of information for news, music, movies, restaurants, reviews, and events in New York” plus a whole lot more apparently. On October 25, 2011, 36 clergy members signed an open letter to Village Voice (and publishing it in the New York Times newspaper) asking (or demanding depending on your view) that the media company shut down their adult classified ads that appear on Backpage.com.
“As moral and religious leaders of many creeds and background, we are united in calling on your publication to shut down the adult services section on Backpages.com,” states a section of the open letter. “We share the conclusion of 21 State Attorneys General that additional safeguards are unlikely to entirely end the practice of minors being sold on the site. For us, one child sold for sex is too many.”
Of course, none of the ads in question actually mention point blank that it is an ad for child prostitution. And even though similar pressure was put on Craigslist.com to stop its posting of similar ads on its website, it is still shocking to learn that a large media company would continue to play a role in such a way.
According to Village Voice: “Backpage has spent millions of dollars and dedicated countless resources to protecting children from those who would misuse an adult site.” (Oct. 25, 2011). In addition, when one enters the site, the following disclaimer shows up:
“This section contains sexual content, including pictorial nudity and adult language. It is to be accessed only by persons who are 18 years of age or older (and is not considered to be a minor in his/her state of residence) and who live in a community or local jurisdiction where nude pictures and explicit adult materials are not prohibited by law. By accessing this website, you are representing to us that you meet the above qualifications. A false representation may be a criminal offense.”
Then the following Terms of Use is posted: “I confirm and represent that I am 18 years of age or older (and am not considered to be a minor in my state of residence) and that I am not located in a community or local jurisdiction where nude pictures or explicit adult materials are prohibited by any law. I agree to report any illegal services or activities which violate the Terms of Use. I also agree to report suspected exploitation of minors and/or human trafficking to the appropriate authorities.”
In a related article posted on October 30, 2011 in the New York Times, writer, David Carr wrote: “A significant portion of the estimated $44 million in sex-related advertising on Craigslist found a home on Backpage.com. Like a lot of newspapers, Village Voice Media’s chain of 13 weeklies has struggled through the terrible economic cycle and big changes in advertising spending, so the revenue from Backpage.com, much of it unrelated to sex, has played a critical role in its survival.”
While this is true, nobody is asking that ads for the sale of toasters, boats or puppies be dropped. Many other struggling newspapers around the country continue to carry on without benefitting from “adult services” ads and should be commended. A cursory view of the ads that appear in Backpage.com include the following listings: "Escorts," "Body Rubs," "Strippers and Strip Clubs," "Dom and Fetish," "TS," "Male Escorts," "Phone and Websites," and "Adult Jobs."
In the About Us section of the Village Voice website, they state that they have been recognized as one the nation’s premier online sites for journalistic quality and local content. Apparently journalistic integrity and quality are two different things. Doesn’t it seem odd that a paper that reports on sex crimes would also be a source for promoting sex crimes? Isn’t it similar to drug stores that sell cigarettes and products to help one quit smoking at the same time?
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