Music and Pornography Censorship - Research Paper Example

Music and Pornography Censorship Censorship refers to a practice whereby public communication or speech is suppressed, particularly if it is regarded as harmful, objectionable, or sensitive by media outlets, governments, as well as other regulatory bodies. Various reasons lead to censoring on public content since the responsible bodies believe they contribute to immorality (Cloonan and Drewett 11). The various reasons that lead to censoring of content include pornography, obscenities, hate speeches, need to safeguard young children, enhance national security, or restrict or promote religious or political views. Various forms of censorship prevail in the current society. Any content is subject to censorship based on people’s location or activities taking place in a country (Chapman and Ciment 5). The media on the internet, radio, television, movies, books, and music are subject to censorship. Censorship is implemented in different forms every day. For example, music and pornography are among the key media types, which censorship is exercised (Jones 18). With regard to pornography, it is mostly morally unacceptable or obscene in the society. In the case of music, it also entails certain lyrics or content that portrays violence, drug dealings, and obscene content. In this case, it is true that both music and pornography contain elements, which have resulted to emergence of debates as to whether they should be censored or not (Cloonan and Drewett 33). For instance, in the current information age, the internet serves as one of the major areas where people can gain access to obscene and immoral content. Censorship measures differ between countries, where some impose strict measures while others exercise minimal censorship (Chapman and Ciment 9). This paper depicts the extent to which pornography and obscene music has in the society, which have resulted to concerns regarding their censorship. Discussion To some individuals, music and pornography are perceived as forms of harmless pleasure, while others consider them as societal ills. Pornography and immoral music are prevalent in different parts of the world, even for those that perceive them as illegal. Although accessing these materials is not considered a crime, production, sale, as well as display of obscene content is an offense. Courts in diverse countries stipulate that the constitution advocates for some form of indecent expression, which does not result to obscenity, particularly because the former portrays social value (Cloonan and Drewett 24). However, on a daily basis, various regulatory frameworks take part in deciding what is ideal for consumption by the public. A large number of government agencies participate in this process to facilitate in the regulation of radio, television, as well as Internet backgrounds. Although it is the role of courts to illustrate what constitutes obscenity, the present frameworks are ideal during the age where people can get instant access to any form of information they need (Petley 37). The advancements in information technology have served as the key drivers for prevalence of obscene content in the world today. People of all ages and backgrounds can access any content they wish from their location, particularly children, who serve as the key prey to obscene music content and pornography. With the rate at which children are gaining access to smartphones, for instance, it has been deemed necessary to encourage telecommunications organizations to provide software, which can prevent children from accessing obscene or immoral content. However, most of these firms have been reluctant with respect to implementing these measures for fear of losing market share (Strossen 54). In addition, today, questions regarding censorship liberalization have emerged, particularly because of the rising rates of sex crimes carried out towards children and women. These issues have forced authorities to renew measures for handling obscene and immoral content, although it does not mean that people who view this content are responsible for committing such criminal activities (Strossen 61). In most cases, however, a large number of perpetrators have been linked to watching pornography or other obscene content before committing crimes. Although notable efforts have been directed towards anti-porn initiatives for those materials affecting minors, content targeting adult consent has been put in focus. This is because a link prevails between immoral activities in the society and mainstream pornography as well as obscene content in today’s music (Chapman and Ciment 32). Disparities also prevail with regard to different types of content and their intended purpose. Lack of understanding between diverse forms of porn or obscene music, for example, have encouraged majority of the public to support blanket censorship. They lack understanding about the form of pornography or music content that feature consenting adults from violent of kiddie pornography (Semonche 73). They perceive all pornography as comprising of obscene material. Others witness a public, which is growing increasingly cautious of what they are mandated to watch. These moves are facing resistance from different individuals and organizations, particularly because adults argue that are treated like children. Nonetheless, with the growing excesses of obscene material in music videos, the measures to address this issue have gotten tougher (Petley 81). Furthermore, in every democracy, research reveals that they encounter challenges with respect to addressing issues on how to regulate content without affecting the individuals having consent to access it. As such, each society encounters its own dilemma while trying to safeguard the interests of children while trying to preserve the freedom of adults (Strossen 74). Although it is the role of the government and other institutions concerned to ensure that minors are not exploited, questions arise as to why these organizations should attack a victimless activity, which has notable demand in the current society. It is appropriate to note that these organizations can spend their resources better, particularly by implementing relevant as well as effective sex education to allow people judge the negative influences of pornography or obscene content in music by themselves (Smith 38). Imposing oppressive measures to handle pornography or obscene content may serve as an ineffective measure, especially because of the diverse attitudes that people direct to these media. This is because the initiative tends to distort the society’s way of life, particularly with regard to right of access to information. For example, by looking at the present Prohibition policies in the U.S., music or pornography restriction may result to undesirable side influences, particularly because normal men may be perceived as criminals in case the notion pertaining to music or pornography persists. For those watching obscene content, such as pornography, it at times tends to satisfy or ease the sexual impulses of the audience (Arora and Awasthy 84). Moreover, it is ideal to note that most religious organizations are against the portrayal of any immoral content in the eyes of the public. This is particularly because their key goal is to enhance the delivery of moral values in a society. For other groups, such as religious bodies, they perceive portrayal of obscene content performed in front of cameras as less natural. Major religious, including Christianity and Islam serve as key drivers of politics in different countries around the world (Jones 54). These institutions support different efforts, which the government or other institutions impose to clamp down music having obscene content or pornography itself. Furthermore, many individuals, particularly those who are conservative to their culture also agree that it is ideal to live a life, which does not incorporate overrated sexual desire. In the case of pornography, they perceive is as love’s distorted image, making them disregard the portrayal of these forms of images to the public. As such, questions prevail as to whether pornography and obscene content from music should be censored or whether other measures should be proposed to address this increasingly growing issue in our society (Semonche 78). Reflection Based on the encounter I have had with issues surrounding pornography and immoral content from music, I do not agree with censoring them. By censoring these contents, the individuals that view them tend to develop unrealistic expectations towards them. By censoring that things that people hear, read, discuss, or see, more tensions would emerge compared to if they were not censored. Although different religious, parental, or political groups have raised concerns because of the growing rate at which children are opting to view pornography from diverse sources, especially their cellphones using the Internet, censoring this content would deny consenting adults their rights, leading to emergence of various legal issues. For the issue of obscene music and pornography to be addressed efficiently, it is ideal to engage individuals in sex education and other immoral activities in the society. The government also needs to implement offer programs that offer education regarding sex and ways in which they can be safe. In this case, the society would be more prosperous when people are provided with sufficient information on how to deal with their time and knowledge. Works Cited Arora, Nelson and Smith Awasthy. Political Theory and Political Thought. New Delhi: Har-Anand Publications, 2013. Print. Chapman, Roger and James Ciment. Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints and Voices. London: Routledge, 2015. Print. Cloonan, Martin and Michael Drewett. Popular Music Censorship in Africa. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Ltd, 2013. Print. Jones, Derek. Censorship: A World Encyclopedia. London: Routledge, 2015. Print. Petley, Julian. Film and Video Censorship in Contemporary Britain. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2011. Print. Semonche, John. Censoring Sex: A Historical Journey Through American Media. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010. Print. Smith, George Patrick. Family Values and the New Society: Dilemmas of the 21st Century. Santa Barbara: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2010. Print. Strossen, Nadine. Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Womens Rights. New York: NYU Press, 2009. Print. Read More