What are your thoughts on censorship?

Question

In the media and in general.

Wonderful answers.
Thank you all for sharing your opinions on a matter as important as this.

Answer 1

I never ever never thought...i think...

Answer 2

Censorship can in no way be prevented because some human beings do not go with to hearken to distinct the failings they say. even if westerners go with to trust it, they stay in a society each and each bit as censored as China or Cuba. the significant distinction is that once you're way on good you do not have a lot to lie about and also human beings do not care sufficient about issues to rigidity they'll do some thing loopy with the advice. Wealth breeds apathy. That mix makes it so as that it really is agreed as a society to easily no longer dig for what's not any longer accessible and that throughout itself is censorship - self-censorship.

Answer 3

Its easy to be against censorship but in the USA the problem is more insidious. The news station may be "free" to report on a story but Corporate ownership or Corporate Sponsorship can kill the story. It isn't censorship in the normal sense from government intrusion but is very pervasive. In addition, to gain viewership and therefore sponsorship, news outlets resort to sensationalism. the sexiest or most visual stories are reported but not necessarily the most important. That is why stories like Darfur, Mindanao, and others are virtually ignored while the fires in California knock Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan out of the headlines

Answer 4

RE: The media. In some cases (WWII for example) it was necessary for the public to be kept in the dark concerning certain matters to avoid panic i.e. enemy subs in Santa Monica bay.
Today, the media seems to divert the public's attention to something trivial. The cross-section of the U.S. population is more concerned with the latest reality show than they are with real events. So the real events often go unnoticed. You have to go to family members of military personnel overseas to know that Marines in Nigeria are facing as much danger as our men and women in the Middle East.
In terms of literature, I think that political correctness gone amuck is being disguised as censorship. About ten years ago, a group of 'educators' wanted certain books 'edited'so as not to promote negative racial stereotypes. An entire chapter of 'Alice in Wonderland' was censored because it described 'A ****** momma and her pickaninnies'. It was the language used at the time the novel was written and has to be recognized as part of the author's craft. Censorship denies people the right to choose to listen to, read or watch certain media and simply change the station, turn the page or click the remote when offended.

Answer 5

I believe in the freedom of expression. In the media I think it can be sensationalized- but we have the right to turn it off! In general, I censor what my children should see in regard to television and movies. But I encourage them to watch the History Channel and similiar educational channels. We watched a show on the Holocaust that was fairly graphic and disturbing, and it spurred questions and emotions from them that I was honored to share with them.
If we start to censor books, television, art- and the list goes on- where do we stop? Who gets to decide what is fit for the general public to view? I don't want to make that decision for you or anyone else- only for myself and my family.
For anyone that thinks censorship may be a good idea, please read "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. It gives you something to think about.

Answer 6

I can see both sides of it. On one hand, it inhibits the freedom of speech and does not allow people to choose for themselves what they do or do not see and hear. So that's bad. On the other hand, though, some people come up with absolutely nauseating or despicable things and I don't think anyone should even be able to see some of that stuff. I mean, movies with rape scenes or movies with outrageous murders. People who watch those may or may not know that those terrible scenes will appear, but if they don't know and don't like that stuff, then it will spare them. If they maybe know those scenes are in that movie, and if they are maybe thinking about doing something similar, then it just gives them more ideas or justifies it to them. So I think on one hand, people should be able to choose what they can or can't watch. On the other hand, I think maybe there'd be less violence if there was more censorship.

Answer 7

Not good. Do you want the government to control what you are able to read? There is censorship going on but most people don't seem to give a crap.

Answer 8

Against censorship.

Answer 9

"Freedom of da press is for dem's what owns a press." Like Murdoch, and other right wingers.

At least in the U.S. our bosses' government is theoretically forbidden to exercise prior restraint - they have to arrest you AFTER you've published something they don't like. Of course, it doesn't work out that way in real life - they can just have their wealthy media buddies stop you from printing/broadcasting/filming.

That's why they're scared of the Net - it doesn't take much money to put up a blog.

Answer 10

I think censorship is a good thing for christian families so they dont have to hear all that bad language and thier kids dont go around saying what they hear cause they dont hear it but on the other hand usa has freedom of speech and all that and if it isnt concerning a christian family well the kids probably get thier nasty mouth at home

Answer 11

I hate it, because if they can censor one thing what will they censor next? Or freedoms are like a house of cards, you pull out one card and the whole thing falls down.