Censorship in the Media

1
Censorship in the Media

• What is Censorship?
• Supervision and control of the information and
  ideas circulated within a society. In modern
  times, censorship refers to the examination of
  media including books, periodicals, plays, motion
  pictures, the internet, television and radio
  programmes for the purpose of altering or
  suppressing parts thought to be offensive. The
  offensive material may be considered immoral or
  obscene, heretical or blasphemous, seditious or
  treasonable, or injurious to the national
  security.

2
Overview

• What is censorship?
• Who decides?
• What constitutes offensive material?
• Why is there a need for censorship?
• Arguments against censorship
• Essay Questions

3
Who Decides?

• Government
• Censorship Bodies / Committees
• (eg Board of Film Censors)
• Parents
• Community
• Media and Publishing Companies
• Editor
• Artistes

4
What constitutes Offensive Material?

• Excessive violence
• Pornography
• Deviant sexual practices eg paedophilia, sexual
  violence, homosexuality
• Nudity
• Foul language
• Material that may offend racial / religious
  sensibilities and cause misunderstanding /
  conflict
• Material that may subvert the nations security
  and stability

5
Note

• Censorship is a reflection of the values of
  society.
• The different media would impact readers and
  viewers differently. The degree of censorship
  would, therefore, vary according to the type of
  the medium.
• For example, television programmes should be
  subjected to more stringent censorship than
  movies, live performances, audio recordings and
  publications. Censorship should also be stricter
  with pictorials than with words because of the
  extent of influence.

6
Why is there a need for Censorship?

• Things that are base, unhealthy and dangerous
  can mislead us.
• Reasons of national security
• To protect public morals
• To preserve political institutions
• To preserve racial and religious harmony

7
Arguments Against Censorship

• Censorship implies restriction of individual
  liberty / freedom of expression
• Is censorship the right solution to the problem
  of sex, violence, etc?
• When the government censors materials for the
  sake of the preservation of the political
  institution isnt the government suppressing the
  freedom of choice of the citizens?