This is my first shot at writing an issue essay. I would be highly obliged if somebody can point out flaws in the essay.
Topic
“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 government or agencies designated by it have a role to play when it comes to censoring telivision or radio programs. The primary reason for such a role is that at the end of the day it is the government which is responsible to the people of the country and it has to make sure that the content being broadcast are not hurting the interests of the general public of large.
In a democratic country censorship looks an out of place concept but its relevance cannot be ignored, since a country is never a one homogenous group and content which may appeal to one section of soceity may offend the others. It has also been observed that broadcasting offensive behaviour and language has an adverse effect on the viewers. A program full of violent scenes will have an adverse effect on small children who are not mature enough to reason out the pros and cons of such violent actions. It has also been observed that after viewing their favourite stars in a movie who beats up a corrupt police official, even mature people start thinking that doing so would be in the best interest.
One recent incidence of shoe throwing on President Bush in Iraq, started a chain reaction of sorts in india where one after the other many politicians were targetted. This kind of behaviour by people to come into limelight themselves or to highlight the pressing issues is not desirable. The role of governement in content censorship also becomes important as any such broadcast may affect people outside the area of incidence, thus escalting the entire issue.Like attrocities on hindus in Pakistan may endanger the muslim community in India.
It has also been argued that Self restraint by media is the best way to deal issues of censorship but my personal view is that private media is guided mostly by profits and viewership ratings. They , in face of stiff challenge, fail to exercise restraint and always telecast or broadcast the uncensored versions of programs in order to create hype so that their TRP ratings are improved.
It is also important that private unrecognised bodies do not become an implementing agency for censorship. Any group which decides on censorship issue should have a legal validity and comprises of highly competent and unbiased individuals.
Topic
“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 government or agencies designated by it have a role to play when it comes to censoring telivision or radio programs. The primary reason for such a role is that at the end of the day it is the government which is responsible to the people of the country and it has to make sure that the content being broadcast are not hurting the interests of the general public of large.
In a democratic country censorship looks an out of place concept but its relevance cannot be ignored, since a country is never a one homogenous group and content which may appeal to one section of soceity may offend the others. It has also been observed that broadcasting offensive behaviour and language has an adverse effect on the viewers. A program full of violent scenes will have an adverse effect on small children who are not mature enough to reason out the pros and cons of such violent actions. It has also been observed that after viewing their favourite stars in a movie who beats up a corrupt police official, even mature people start thinking that doing so would be in the best interest.
One recent incidence of shoe throwing on President Bush in Iraq, started a chain reaction of sorts in india where one after the other many politicians were targetted. This kind of behaviour by people to come into limelight themselves or to highlight the pressing issues is not desirable. The role of governement in content censorship also becomes important as any such broadcast may affect people outside the area of incidence, thus escalting the entire issue.Like attrocities on hindus in Pakistan may endanger the muslim community in India.
It has also been argued that Self restraint by media is the best way to deal issues of censorship but my personal view is that private media is guided mostly by profits and viewership ratings. They , in face of stiff challenge, fail to exercise restraint and always telecast or broadcast the uncensored versions of programs in order to create hype so that their TRP ratings are improved.
It is also important that private unrecognised bodies do not become an implementing agency for censorship. Any group which decides on censorship issue should have a legal validity and comprises of highly competent and unbiased individuals.
