Should media be subject to government controls?

Question

If so, why? (government points)
If not, why? (opposition points)
Please help me on this one! I need 10 or more answers! This is just a survey.

Answer 1

Absolutely NOT.
That is not the American way.
It is important to know what is going on in our country, and freedom of the press is one of the ways we have of keeping up with what our government is doing. As Americans we have the unique priviledge of taking part in our government, and making our individual voices heard through voting. Based on the theory that we should be enthusiastic, informed participants in that process, freedom of the press helps ensure that "we the people" are informed of where our representatives stand on issues when we go to the polls to take part in our government, and hopefully "form a more perfect union".

Answer 2

There needs to be some government controls, such as slander/lible. False accusations against people that are known to be false must be illegal to protect each individual's right to live freely, and to seek out a better life. Other than that, there should be no government regulation. We don't want the government becoming too powerful, or we won't know the truth. Without being able to know the truth, we'll never be able to ask questions, when that happens, all of our rights can easily be taken away without us ever knowing, or ever having any say. We have to be informed, and we have to be informed with the truth, in order for a Democratic government to survive, and the truth must be objectively stated, so that there is no bias and so that the people can ensure the government and nation will continue to succeed.

Answer 3

It depends on the country. The media in North America and Western Europe cannot enjoy the same level of press freedom in other countries because the demography of the population is vastly different.

There are sensitive issues pertaining to religion, culture and race of many ethnic groups and they must all be respected; if 100% freedom of the press were to be allowed they may trigger racial riots and cause social upheavals (as they have in the past). I'm not even referring to communist or authoritarian states but democracies with elected representatives of parliaments etc - the press in these democracies must abide by government-set guidelines and be held accountable for irresponsible reporting. It has to be for the good of all.

Answer 4

NO NO & NO! I'm gonna post 'The Nanny State (the Original & my Response) later but just to let you know I ain't the only one who thinks so; I posted it here; http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060620065017AAdHsp0&pa=FYd1D2bwHTHwIbpuFes_QIFe8C2uqU0YC8oE_AQ.MpcDQuUHqRqwKQADutwWsj6g25lf7P0Usu5kBQ--

"The career of a politician mainly consists in making one part of the nation do what it does not want to do, in order to please and satisfy the other part of the nation. It is the prolonged sacrifice of the rights of some persons at the bidding and for the satisfaction of other persons. The ruling idea of the politician - stated rather bluntly - is that those who are opposed to him exist for the purpose of being made to serve his ends, if he can get power enough in his hands to force these ends upon them." -- Auberon Herbert

"There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him." -- Robert Heinlein

"The most basic question is not what is best but who shall decide what is best." -- Thomas Sowell

http://www.total-knowledge.com/~willyblues/

Answer 5

You certainly do not want them to give out state secrets, but the public has a right to know the truth.

The Pentagon Papers is a good reference to this. It revealed duplicity in Vietnam, so the government didn't want it to come out.

The whole Valerie Plame incident is certainly one where we shouldn't blow an agent's cover, but the government wanted revenge.

Answer 6

Absolutely not.
Without freedom of the press, an elitist government is created that can hide it's dealings, it's motives and it will eventually destroy itself

Answer 7

why for reporting , whats going on?iam sure they are not making all this **** up. just because they report things that bush and the gang dont want the public to know the truth about, is no reason to bring the goverment in to it.they have their dirty little fingers in enough peoples pie.

Answer 8

No. Because THIS ISN'T CHINA! Freedom of press, religion and speech are the foundations of this country.

Answer 9

No....that would be called Communism!

Answer 10

read the BILL OF RIGHTS, then read THE CONSTITUTION