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27 Oct 2009, 07:59
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“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.
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Censorship of television and radio by government is usually not recommended because it frequently results in suppression of freedom of speech by government officials. However, in some cases the rights and safety of citizens may be threatened by uncensored media. Two examples of that are programs that incite hate and violence, and programs that are harmful to children.
If there were no government controls whatsover on television and radio, what would stop a radical White-Supremacist or a radical Islamic torrorist group from airing a program that teaches people how to build bombs and encourages them to attack citizens of that country? While there may be some debate as to what extent hate speech ends and freedom of speech begins, there are certainly cases where almost all would agree censorship is necessary.
Studies have shown that children who watch television programs that contain graphic violence, sexually explicit material, or offensive language are likely to develop behavior that is harmful to society. Allowing such broadcasts to be seen by children without providing parents with parental controls harms these children and infringes on the rights of their parents because parents are unable to monitor what children see or hear 100% of the time.
So although freedom of speech is a very important right of all citizens, media that are completely uncensored can sometimes infringe on rights of other citizens. It is important for lawmakers to be educated about the balance between freedom of speech, and the protection of citizen rights through 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.
-----------------------------
Censorship of television and radio by government is usually not recommended because it frequently results in suppression of freedom of speech by government officials. However, in some cases the rights and safety of citizens may be threatened by uncensored media. Two examples of that are programs that incite hate and violence, and programs that are harmful to children.
If there were no government controls whatsover on television and radio, what would stop a radical White-Supremacist or a radical Islamic torrorist group from airing a program that teaches people how to build bombs and encourages them to attack citizens of that country? While there may be some debate as to what extent hate speech ends and freedom of speech begins, there are certainly cases where almost all would agree censorship is necessary.
Studies have shown that children who watch television programs that contain graphic violence, sexually explicit material, or offensive language are likely to develop behavior that is harmful to society. Allowing such broadcasts to be seen by children without providing parents with parental controls harms these children and infringes on the rights of their parents because parents are unable to monitor what children see or hear 100% of the time.
So although freedom of speech is a very important right of all citizens, media that are completely uncensored can sometimes infringe on rights of other citizens. It is important for lawmakers to be educated about the balance between freedom of speech, and the protection of citizen rights through censorship.
Moderator:
