The Debate of Censorship - 766 Words

The United States Bill of Rights guarantees its citizens the freedom of expression, but how far does that freedom extend? Does the right to express yourself include the right to observe the expressions of others? According to pro-censorship view holders, it does not. But to those who feel strongly against censorship, the freedom of information, or the â€Å"right to know,† should be an absolute right granted to the American public. Censoring material is the responsibility of the individual, not the institution itself, and certainly not the job of a separate institution. Also, the definition of what is censor-worthy is by no means clear. Exercising the freedom of speech has two sides: the speaker and the listener. Censorship is unfair†¦show more content†¦In some places, censored material printed in periodicals is simply marked over with a black line, but in America we sometimes do not know that information is being withheld (Thom). This practice of censored cen sorship is unethical and unconstitutional. If we don’t know what is being censored, can’t we at least know that something is being censored? The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has certain standards for material to be considered as profane, indecent, or obscene (â€Å"Obscene, Indecent†). Unfortunately, not everything can be fit into these cookie cutter categories, and sometimes an object of controversy overlaps into two or more of these classifications. These requirements are tested against what is considered to be an â€Å"average person,† but who is this mythical, completely normal individual who decides what is offensive and what is acceptable (â€Å"Obscene, Indecent†)? Most of the time, the parameters for censorship are not compared to the views of John Doe, but to an impressionable child. In fact, the FCC only prohibits â€Å"profane† and â€Å"indecent† broadcasts between the hours of 6a.m. and 10p.m., when a ch ild is less likely to be listening (â€Å"Obscene, Indecent†). The FCC also upholds double standards. In recent years, popular â€Å"shock jock† Howard Stern was removed from six stations that previously broadcast his show because of his sexual references thatShow MoreRelated The Censorship Debate795 Words   |  4 Pages The Censorship Debate nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Do words such as nigger, bitch, or ass offend you?nbsp; The answer may seem clear cut, but our nation has been struggling with the issue of censorship almost since its conception.nbsp; To many, the aforementioned words are a part of their everyday vocabulary; to others, they are vulgar and unacceptable.nbsp; The issue of censorship is much more than just words.nbsp; There have been huge controversies over the negative ideas andRead MoreThe Debate About Censorship1495 Words   |  6 PagesThe Debate about Censorship Censorship, the control of the information and ideas circulated within a society, has been a characteristic of dictatorships throughout history. 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Read MoreThe American Debate Regarding Censorship Of Hate Speech2032 Words   |  9 PagesThe American debate regarding censorship of hate speech is moving from traditional forms to newer ones found online. In particular, the internet has become a key organizing tool for hate groups. There is a large growing group of Internet members who can access the Internet and can have the opportunity to express an opinion about anything to compose their thoughts to the World Wide Web audience. The Internet allows freedom of expression without any limitations or regulation. Some viewers find theRead MoreMusic Censorship1016 Words   |  5 PagesKevin Ung Professor Vazquez English 101 October 9, 2007 Music Censorship I enjoy and love music very much. I feel that music artists should have the right to freely express their work and I feel that I should argue about the censorship attacks on these artists. I’m tired of listening to a good song on the radio with some of the words censored. It ruins the song and I can’t stand it. Some people think that rap is a bad influence and causes the young to behave badly. But I think all this censoringRead MoreThe Censorship of Pornography1581 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Censorship of Pornography: Censorship is vital and takes place on a daily basis in the modern society even in nations that state their respect and maintenance of the freedom of speech. For instance, there are several regulations that restrict broadcasters in the kind of programmes to be transmitted as specific times of the day. The other ways with which censorship happens every day is through the laws that forbid people from expressing themselves publicly toward particular political or ethnicRead MoreInternet Censorship Essay886 Words   |  4 PagesInternet Censorship Presently, it seems that the Internet is playing a very important role in everyones daily life. This multipurpose network has many different functions useful for everyday work and entertainment. Due to the freedom of the Internet various debates and protests have come to disagree with its open form of communication. Because of the misuse of the internet many people believe that there should be some kind of internet censorship, while others are against internet censorshipRead MoreFeminism and Pornography: Differing Views1221 Words   |  5 PagesThe pornography debate has been an issue within the feminist movement that has been pushed to the periphery in recent times. It is not as widely seen on the main stage of the feminist agenda and this may be because of a division in feminist thought with regards to pornography. Generally speaking, there are â€Å"pro-sex† feminists who believe that women have the right to do what they wish with their bodies and there are â€Å"pro-ce nsorship† feminists who believe pornography is inherently degrading and violentRead MoreMedia Censorship1427 Words   |  6 PagesApril 30, 2011 Media Censorship in the United States Censorship has existed for longer than we could ever imagine. One of the first acts of state sponsored censorship occurred in 399 B.C. when Socrates, was executed for the â€Å"supposed common good of the people† (Guarding Public Morality, 2010, p.1). Socrates was a teacher and a philosopher in ancient Greece. His teaching methods were controversial for the time, and he was charged with corrupting the youth and drawing them away from the GreekRead MoreEssay on Censorship is Not the Answer983 Words   |  4 PagesCensorship is Not the Answer Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. - First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution This is true liberty when free born men, having to advise the public, may speak free. -Euripides, Fifth Century B.C. There is room for all of us - and our divergent view - under the First Amendment. - Spiro Agnew ... They have expelled Huck from their library as trash and suitable only for the slums. That will sell 25,000