Sunday, April 29, 2007
Consider the merits and demerits of censorship and state your reasons why you think it is unnecessary/necessary.Censorship is exercised in the media of all aspects, be it the television, music, articles, images etc. Government plays the parental role in regulating the powerful mass media in society, and they are the ones who determine what the media should present to the people. These are taboos (politics, religions, horror, racial, pornography, offensive etc.) which media will avoid from reporting so as to refrain getting themselves into trouble with the law.
To censor or not to censor is a controversial topic and is subjected to individuals. However, there are always two sides that we have to view in an issue.
Media serves as a tool for us to receive new knowledge and to express our thoughts and feelings. If censorship was not carried out, people will be free to access any form of media and it will be of a higher possibility for them to get hold of taboo materials. Singapore is a multi racial country and it is vital for people of different races and religions to live harmoniously together, hence is it very sensitive to discuss on racial and religion issues. If all has the freedom to voice out their thoughts and feelings, no one will ever think of the consequences of their words. A racial riot may spark off easily when one simply comments about a particular race and Singapore will be in a dire state. With censorship, the national security is guaranteed as it serves as a safety valve to prevent any exposure of sensitive materials that may agitate the different races.
B.G. George Yeo once said “ Act of censorship is itself symbolic and an affirmation to young and old of the values we hold as a community.” Internet, especially, is where we are able to access to almost everything in the world with just a click on our mouse. We are all aware that children of tender age are most vulnerable towards pornography, they easily get addicted to it and promiscuity will be encouraged in them. This upsets the growing up process of a child and with their upright values tarnished, they may grow up into an incorrigible person. In this area of concern, censorship protects the young from early exposure of pornography, gore and violence by allowing them to mature in a healthy environment. It also protects the rest of the human population from gruesome images or scenes that may be disturbing them.
On the other hand, censorship is a contradiction itself. Government encourages the common people to express their thoughts and feelings freely but at the same time, they censor those comments that they view as taboo words. It is actually depriving us of the freedom of speech and violating our human rights by not revealing the truth to us.
Censorship easily causes misunderstanding, as the message is not brought clearly across. Without censorship, it will actually allow transparency and help demystify the doubts of people. The early exposure of certain things, such as sexual issues, may not be a bad thing after all as it can serve as an education for the young. Instead of blocking all access to it and causes the curiosity to burn in children, don’t you think that it will be better for us to first educate them and help clear their doubts for their questions? The ignorance of many things around the world is often the result of censorship. Transparency of media is a form of fairness to the population, as it reveals everything to the public and not hide any information from them.
All in all, censorship should take place so as to protect the society from materials that are morally unaccepted and offensive. However, this is subjected to one’s perspective of a matter and it is very tough for us to justify. Personally, I feel that censorship is necessary as people are often unable to differentiate what is right or wrong, hence by exercising censorship, it will help us to drain away materials that are deem as taboos.
the world will turn WILD.
12:50 AM
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