In some countries, television and radio programs are carefully censored for offensive language and behavior. In other countries, there is little or no censorship.In your view, to what extent should government or any other group be able to censor television or radio programs? Explain, giving relevant reasons and/or examples to support your position.The issue that whether television and radio programs are carefully censored for offensive language and behavior or they must have complete freedom to broadcast the shows as required by them or by public is always contentious in our society. My view is that the regulated freedom is the sensible freedom for all. The television or radio channels must have freedom to broadcast according to the demands of public but there are agencies to define the sensible premises of their operations for the well being of all in the society.
Today, our world is majorly divided into two parts as developed countries, which have more liberal society or developing countries, which still have conservative societies in most of their parts. Both these parts of the world have their own ideologies on which their cultures depend. So, one program or view point that may be normal in developed world but may not be accepted or provoking in the developing world. For instance, the Fashion T.V., broadcasting channel of US , was banned in Afganisthan or some Islamic countries for showing clothes that are considered as vulgar or against the religion of Islam. But this clothing is not offensive according to the modern society. So, to avoid disharmony among nations, there is need of regulated agencies such as censorship that can regulate the stuff as per regional demands.
However, the extremist use of censorship is the violation of one’s right of freedom. Recently, during US Iraq war, the extremist government of Iraq banned most of the international channels in the country. This violates the right of individual freedom or freedom of media to express unbiased content or public’s view point. So, the extremist use of censorship is violation of human rights.
Finally, our children or next generation is vastly exposed to wide information in the world through television, radio or internet. Their parents can not control everything that the children are viewing on television or listening on radio. So, the role of censorship is crucial to prevent children from access to adult programs that may affect them negatively. So, the role of censorship in categorizing adult programs from those that are suitable programs for children is very important for society.
To conclude, I suggest that the regulated freedom is the sensible freedom. The role of censorship in regulating some programs is need of the society to maintain harmony. The censorship in this situation plays a role to bridge in joining different socities with different religious or cultural beliefs. There is also the need to let people express their view freely for the development of society without any redundant censorship.