“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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Issue discusses about to which the extent government or any other group should be involved in restricting offensive language and behavior on television or on radio. In some countries, government imposes the restriction at its extreme, whereas, in few other countries, government allows total freedom. In my view, Government or any other group should not put any restriction on television or radio programs. I will support my point with various logical reasons with examples.
Firstly, Giving Government the responsibility to restrict the offensive behavior raises multiple questions. How to decide what is offensive? How much offensive language is permissible? Will government not biased while creating such standards? E.g. major parties build government. Such government parties have their own ideologies. So, some thing which is offensive for one party can be acceptable for another and such distinction creates double-standard. Also, it’s very hard to decide at what extent the restriction will be applied. Most of the Government representatives are older and are possibly distant from the current generation views and thinking. So, something which is acceptable for current generation can be unacceptable for older generation. Also, such powers to government can go extreme by banning almost everything. For example, in Afghanistan, almost everything was banned during the time of Taliban.
Secondly, if given freedom, Creativity and art flourish. Many restrictions can serve as obstacles for creativity and some form of art. For example, we would not have witness many of the Picasso’s paintings or amazing movies like “The Reader” if restriction were put on explicit love scenes or portrait of women. Also, few programs can not be possible with restrictions. For example, movie on real-life story of a gangster would not be possible without using some explicit language.
Thirdly, Freedom of speech is the basic right of any democratic society. To deprive some one from such basic right is in itself a devaluation of democratic society. Freedom of speech has given us many iconoclasts like Martin Luther king, Jr, Mahatma Gandhi and many more. In absence of freedom of speech, many civil movements would not have happened.
Admittedly, some content such as pornography and other explicit material is not appropriate for young kids. However, movie rating systems, television rating systems, parental control on computer and television, etc. have helped resolving this problem to a great extend. Also, finding a technological solution to resolve this problem is a better option in stead of putting restriction on creating television or radio programs with offensive language or content.
In sum, I would strongly support the total freedom of language and content for Television and radio programs on the basis of above mentioned reasons. Admittedly, issues like pornography and explicit content are not good for young kids; however, it is better to find technological solution in order to curb them instead of restricting Television programs or radio programs.
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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Issue discusses about to which the extent government or any other group should be involved in restricting offensive language and behavior on television or on radio. In some countries, government imposes the restriction at its extreme, whereas, in few other countries, government allows total freedom. In my view, Government or any other group should not put any restriction on television or radio programs. I will support my point with various logical reasons with examples.
Firstly, Giving Government the responsibility to restrict the offensive behavior raises multiple questions. How to decide what is offensive? How much offensive language is permissible? Will government not biased while creating such standards? E.g. major parties build government. Such government parties have their own ideologies. So, some thing which is offensive for one party can be acceptable for another and such distinction creates double-standard. Also, it’s very hard to decide at what extent the restriction will be applied. Most of the Government representatives are older and are possibly distant from the current generation views and thinking. So, something which is acceptable for current generation can be unacceptable for older generation. Also, such powers to government can go extreme by banning almost everything. For example, in Afghanistan, almost everything was banned during the time of Taliban.
Secondly, if given freedom, Creativity and art flourish. Many restrictions can serve as obstacles for creativity and some form of art. For example, we would not have witness many of the Picasso’s paintings or amazing movies like “The Reader” if restriction were put on explicit love scenes or portrait of women. Also, few programs can not be possible with restrictions. For example, movie on real-life story of a gangster would not be possible without using some explicit language.
Thirdly, Freedom of speech is the basic right of any democratic society. To deprive some one from such basic right is in itself a devaluation of democratic society. Freedom of speech has given us many iconoclasts like Martin Luther king, Jr, Mahatma Gandhi and many more. In absence of freedom of speech, many civil movements would not have happened.
Admittedly, some content such as pornography and other explicit material is not appropriate for young kids. However, movie rating systems, television rating systems, parental control on computer and television, etc. have helped resolving this problem to a great extend. Also, finding a technological solution to resolve this problem is a better option in stead of putting restriction on creating television or radio programs with offensive language or content.
In sum, I would strongly support the total freedom of language and content for Television and radio programs on the basis of above mentioned reasons. Admittedly, issues like pornography and explicit content are not good for young kids; however, it is better to find technological solution in order to curb them instead of restricting Television programs or radio programs.
