Media Censorship in an Age of Freedom - Essay Example

Media Censorship Summary The media’s role is to convey information to the public, especially that which the public cannot readily obtain. Media communicate to the society in various ways. There are printing communication approaches, as used by journals, periodicals and magazines. There are mass communication platforms like Televisions and radio. The media usually engages the public in forum-like ways to understand things beyond their knowledge. In doing so, the media creates a reliable source of information for the society. Moreover, the media is usually a complete education pitch. This is because; they cover several subjects that are relevant at the time. However, media professionals do extend their freedom of speech and communication by over reacting to specific situations in their respective fields. Recently, media has really led to brainwashing of young children. This is seen through programs on televisions and on some social sites on the internet. The effects are devastating, as in some cases, these have led to the overspread of diseases due to engaging in premarital sex, which is highly appreciated in movies and even TV programs. Furthermore, the rate at which the media fraternity creates controversy in situations is alarming. This has led to either to mass hysteria or calmness in times of calamity. These reasons have led most national governments censor some media classes from conveying what it feels but rather conform to some set regulations. It is necessary though in some areas, these controls have gone beyond the extent of reason. Introduction Media Censorship is a topic that generates a vigorous discussion in the global platform. Many are the times media have censored some information, to some the act may be considered unreasonable while to others the act maybe considered necessary. Censorship can be defined as the suppression of words, images or ideas that are offensive. There are different types of media censorship, one is the age for viewing different programs or channels and the second is banning of some topics or words. The opponent find it as a subtle idea the proponent use to impose their moral value, ideas, beliefs and personal opinion on others. They consider it as a barrier to freedom of speech, expression and association. It denies human beings the sense of reality. However, the proponents believes media censorship creates a balance on what should be said or written. Therefore, media censorship is necessary though sometimes it goes over the top. Right from the generation of Socrates to even the contemporary generation of Malcom X, man is endowed with an urge to express him or herself.However,during the articulation of the individual’s ideas, a line needs to be drawn.Historically, the renowned philosopher, Socrates had a rather tough patch with the Greek government for not censoring his essay, ‘the republic’.In attempt to define censorship, it brings out some critical questions: is what is censorship? Is censorship actually the filtering of necessary information to people? What are the guidelines in determining censorship? Is it actually protective or harmful? Most communities, public and school libraries endorse media censorship. They do so to shield moral values from the dirt of the society. They regulate the information acquired by students. Graphic and comic books are rare to find in most libraries. They are believed to promote violence, offensive language and sexual immorality. However it is quite absurd for American institutions to outlaw children comic books from libraries just because of one word. For instance “James and the giant peach” by Dahl, the book was debarred because it contained the word” ass” in it. Does the word not define a part of the child’s body part? Denying the kids to know the meaning of the word denies him a chance to have knowledge of his own self. Unless you are a pervert the word is not offensive and for this case the brain of a child is too young and innocent and to him the word is a just a part of his body. In the main, media censorship suppresses the free of communication exercised by media practitioners (Magoon, 2010). It is commonly exercised on radio and television stations. This is because they are always at the forefront communicating real time events to the public. Moreover, radio and television stations are dominant actors in the mass communication field. They are usually wide, comprehensive and to the point on various issues. Due to their speed and completeness, governments have found it necessary to limit what these platforms convey. Some of the mechanisms put in place to censor radio and television fraternities include; radio jamming for radios. Radio jammers often interfere with the signal communicated, especially when it contains obscene language. This method is widely used by some governments to prevent foreign radio signals from entering into their air space. It also censors the communication of radio-transmitted information. Televisions use encryption mechanisms to avoid communicating what is not deemed fit to the society. Media control laws are enforced to effect censorship. For instance, in China the media is well off controlled. Although the Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of speech, the Chinese government media regulatory laws call for crack down on media houses. This is in response to seeing the media houses to jeopardize the nation’s state of security by exposing its secrets. The Chinese government overrules censorship and facilitates the control mechanisms in place (Yugong, n.d., 2011). The South African government has immensely resorted to censorship of the media (MEDIA: South Africa, 2010). Activists see this as a measure to silence the critics of the government as conveyed in the platform of communications. According to civil rights groups, the measures in place against the freedom of the media undermine the fundamental right to information. The government being the majority in the current parliament has tabled information protection bill that if it goes through the media is at stake. Furthermore, the bill states that a local media tribunal be in session so that the media be answerable to parliament in future. The bill if it would become law, it would criminalize the communication of information without regulatory remarks. Moreover, any piece of information that is not supporting the government’s accord will be rendered unfit to be communicated. The law will call for an imprisonment term of not less than twenty five (25) years. The media has always kept a watch on several ANC top leaders and that is why the media freedom is under threat to experience censorship. This is alarming as to why the media’s freedom of informing the public wants to be curtailed due to misinformed decision makers. In this sense, media censorship even though it is worth being put into thought, it being dishonorable to the public. Similarly, in the United States of America, media censorship is well employed. The nation through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), restricted several broadcasts both on radio and televisions. The commission is mandated to issue fines after quantitative proof that its laws have been breached. All media actors are required to convey content that is within the regulations set by the Federal communications commission. For instance, those convicted of distributing obscene pornographically content face long-term imprisonments. Individual judges in the USA supreme courts can also suppress the freedom to information. A gag order usually prevents a party from communicating information that may interfere with court proceedings. The United States of America also implements copyright laws through the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The act prevents all citizens from availing information that may lead to circumvention of copyright technical methods and procedures. Although the act exempts research works, it has negatively affected the cryptography research community. This is a classical set up of the freedom of speech and communication. The media should however be restricted but still given green light to pursue information for the interest of the public (Breen, 2010). In the main, censorship narrows a child’s worldview with big holes in the cultural and international education. If children are restricted against sources that show African American were ever abused, then how are this students supposed to know that racism is bad. That racism inflicts pain and violence. Exonerating of such books narrows the knowledge of their roots and depicts their sense of identity. The autobiography of Malcolm X who was a well-known human right activist was criticized and banned in some institutions. Malcolm X is remembered as one of the most influential Americans in recent history. With no access to such writings how are people supposed to know about their history and personalities that created a peaceful balance in the country. The right to be aware of your country’s history is a natural law; it does not require procedures that have to go through the parliament. Naturally, there is no point of airing one’s opinion if there is nobody to listen to the views. Opponents view media censorship as hindrance to democracy (Cohen, 2012). Having information been manipulated by people who are chasing their own interest is not far from dictatorship. Media censorship can also be described as modified truth, therefore, sending all the wrong messages to the public unintentionally. For instance, a lot of news coming from war zones such as Syria is censored, and hence, they do not show the deep intensity of war and its consequences (Zarwan, 2005). Media should not be censored, however the government and its citizens should strive to tackle issues that lead to censorship. At some situation, media censorship is necessary. It was once said ignorance is bliss. Censorship can be helpful in preserving the secrets of a nation. Detailed security discussion can be useful information to the enemies of a certain nation. “The event and missing” are two of Hollywood best films that had to be prohibited from the market. The movies exposed too much of USA secrets. This makes the nation vulnerable to its enemies. The enemies take advantage of the situation and launch an attack on the nation crippling its economy and a lot of bloodshed involved. Another instance is the Taj Mahal terrorist attack in Mumbai, censoring of information was used to control panic and rumors in the country. It is common knowledge that media shapes the face of the country. It acts like a mirror; depicting the actions and the mindset of the people. Likened to nuclear force, it is a powerful vigor, which can produce large advantages to the citizens of a particular country if used appropriately, for wrong reasons can lead to grave mistakes. Ifmedia was used appropriately, the proliferation of the Rwanda and Burundi massacre have been controlled and the damages could have been minimal. This because the local media produced unthinkable reports such as “The Ten Commandments of Hutu”. Just like any other business organization, the media outlets are concerned with maximizing their profits. This has motivated the media to come up with twisted bits of the real information which the society want to hear and ignoring the truth (MacKinnon, 2006). This has manipulated the citizens’ way of thinking. Movies and video games have created a skewed environment for children and they cannot differential between reality and virtual world. Survey shows that there has been a high rise of misbehavior especially by young adults. This is as result of rigorous exposure to sex and pornography. There has also been high alcohol abuse, mainly because most songs idolize alcohol, making it to be something one can always try. In conclusion, media censorship suppresses the freedom of the media. In most cases, it necessary as it encourages moral uprightness in the society but it is evidently abused as in China. Governments should not manifest their wrath to being exposed by the media in some wrong doings, by investing in laws that curtails future communication. Radio and television communicate vital information to the public; they should not be over censored. Regulations on what is right and wrong to be convened should be set right and communicated to all stakeholders. Regulations regarding foreign or international media presence should not be oppressive. The international community, whose economy depends on several areas, usually needs to be informed of any change of scenery. This helps them make informed decisions to protect their businesses in those countries or regions. Media censorship is good and worthy being enforced, but it requires regulation to create some breathing space for the media fraternity. Moreover, countries that go against this notion, because of either security or political patterns are to be sanctioned, because it is a breach of international media freedom laws. References Breen, M. (2010). Digital determinism: culture industries in the USA-Australia Free Trade Agreement. New Media & Society (journal). Cohen, N. (2012). Censorship in an Age of Freedom. London: fourth Estate. MacKinnon, R. (2006). Race to the Bottom: Corporate Complicity in Chinese Internet Censorship. New York: Human Rights Watch. Magoon, K. (2010). Media censorship. Edina, Minn.: ABDO Pub. Co. MEDIA: South Africa. (2010). Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series Yugong, Y. Annual report on development of new media in China 2011. (Journal) Zarwan, E. (2005). False Freedom: Online Censorship in the Middle East and North Africa. New York: Human Rights Watch. Read More