January 27, 2003 06:10pm
Sloppy, Biased Mainstream Reporting
Source: Resource Media Group
by: Company Press Release
(VAN NUYS, CA) -- Vivid Entertainment Group, the world's leading producer of adult films, today reaffirmed its policy of mandatory condom use and HIV testing for performers in its films. Vivid co-chairman Steven Hirsch criticized recent media reports on the adult entertainment industry for sloppy reporting and one-sided bias.
Mr. Hirsch made his remarks in a statement issued in response to queries about recent negative press reports (notably in the Los Angeles Times Magazine on January 12, 2003 and an ABC News "Prime Time Live" program on January 23, 2003) on safety standards in the adult industry.
Condom use has been mandatory at Vivid since August 1, 1998. Vivid also requires all performers in its features to go to the Adult Industry Medical Health Foundation (AIM) to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, at which time they are informed about health insurance benefits and other safety programs available to them through Aim. In addition, Vivid considers its performers to be employees while working for Vivid and extends Workmen's Compensation coverage to them.
Mr. Hirsch also noted that his company recently licensed a line of Vivid Condoms that will soon be sold throughout the country.
Following is the statement by Steven Hirsch, co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment Group:
"There have been recent press reports on the adult industry that I consider sloppy and biased because they have tarred the entire adult industry with a single brush, even though companies such as ours act responsibly on issues regarding our employees' welfare. We are absolutists when it comes to mandatory condom usage by male performers in our films. There are no exceptions to our rule, just as there are no exceptions to our insistence that all performers be tested for HIV and other diseases within 30 days of making a movie for us. If testing became a matter of law we would be in full compliance. We have never had a case of HIV on a Vivid production. We have never had a complaint about the working conditions on our sets, which have been visited by literally hundreds of reporters and media crews. For many years we have put a message at the beginning of each of our movies urging viewers to follow the U.S. Surgeon General's safe sex recommendations.
"When we made the decision to use condoms in our films we were greeted with some negative response from the adult industry. Some performers refused to work for Vivid. Some actors felt they should be able to make that decision themselves and couples that worked only together didn't think condoms were necessary. Our policy also affected domestic and international sales, because some viewers would rather watch movies without condoms, believing condoms take away from the fantasy. Our productions became more expensive because scenes often take longer to shoot as a result of condom usage. While we have chosen to act responsibly, some people in our own industry have used this as a tactic to market against us. We continue to insist on condoms for the safety of the performers and because we want to set a good example for those who watch our movies, particularly since Vivid films have a very strong appeal to the couples market."
About Vivid:
The Vivid Entertainment Group is the world's leading adult film company. It is well known for its "Vivid Girl" concept under which top adult film stars are signed to exclusive agreements that are styled on the old Hollywood contract star system. Since its founding in 1984, Vivid has placed heavy emphasis on high quality erotic film entertainment for the couples market. Vivid is known for its innovative technological advances such as full function DVDs and popular Websites including Vivid.com. Vivid is a major supplier of content for pay-per-view networks in North America and internationally and it licenses its name for condoms, novelties and other uses. For further information email RM@Vivid.com.
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