Censorship, and your thoughts

[Blood_Luster]

What are your views on censorship? why is it good? It's hard to grasp why there are people who agree with this. I'd just like to read some people's opinions on it.

-BL

[ClubMed]

Censorship is carried out in every country of the world and in various fields. Armies regularly view letters sent home by soldiers and delete any confidential or objectionable information. Governments regularly carry out censorship on many reports they make available to the public so that only watered-down versions come into public circulation.

Censorship in itself is not negative. It depends on the situation and the aim of it. In many authoritarian governments, such as the Syrian, Libyan, many African nations, China etc., the governments monitor and control all media and delete all objectionable material; such as dissent, complaints directed at the governing organs, complaints about the treatment of citizens etc..

It comes in many forms too, from the simple act of removing sections of text to the more sophisticated method of supporting, funding and aiding only those think tanks, researchers, experts, institutes and media outlets that are within the orbit of the governments national and foreign policies and mode of thought. This method of censorship nurtures an environment where only the supporters of certain ideologies will become the most successful and will receive the best platforms to launch their views and opinions. This method is carried out in every nation of the planet earth, while the other primitive and obvious methods are often carried out by the authoritarian regimes. IMO the effectiveness of the more subtle form is more efficient because it is less visible and noticeable. The constant debates of media objectiveness, fairness and balance come to mind.

Reporters Without Borders - International published a ranking of nations in order of the level of press freedom for 2002. You can view it here. The results are quite interesting actually. The most press free nations are Finland, Iceland, Norway and The Netherlands, all of them sharing first place. The least press freedom is found in Africa and the Middle East, although Russia is just above Iran which rests at rank 122.

As to why persons might be in favour of censorship it would depend on what they have to loose. National secrets, military secrets, intelligence secrets, medical secrets, but also justification of rule and actions. The more there is to loose, the more will you encounter censorship.

[daveleau]

It is on a rare occasion that I can offer you the kiss of death, ClubMed, by saying that I completely agree with you. Very thoughtful and well put post. Many today are absolutists that believe certain things, like censorship, are totally wrong. The instances you put forward are all good reasons for censorship. When it comes to hiding wrongdoing or silencing other's opinions or beliefs - that it is wrong.

[Chuckiechan]

I'd like to censor the Democratic debates from the rest of the world!

To our enemies, who don't understand that Bush-hating is in style right now, may think that all they need to do is hang on "Just a little while longer" and the pressure will be off. They don't understand that the "American way" in politics is to shovel as much dirt on your opponent and his administration as you possibly can to get votes.

Lacking the big picture, if I was a terrorist I'd just wait until 2004 and see who is boss before I'd get busy again.

IMEO...

[Target]

Very well put Clubmed. Thanks for sumarizing the thoughts of those who agree with your (our) point of view, but who couldn't quite put it into words.

[osprey4]

Wrong, Chuckiechan, the more Democratic debates, the better off our nation will be (if you catch my drift).

[ClubMed]

Thanks Dave and Target

[originel]

agreed, ospery4. even if only for the principle of the matter.

The only time i am for censorship is if it is completely obscene with the intent to publish in a family media (pretty much porn in newspapers or major tv stations and that's about it), or when it involves sensitive information (i.e. military, defense, etc...). otherwise i'm against censorship (like books in school libraries that some find offensive).

I am firmly against censorship of movies, music, etc in a retail environment. for example the censorship done in Eyes Wide Shut (kubrick must be rolling over in his grave) just so the studio would make more money by not rating it NC-17. Also i'm firmly against having to be "PC." if someone doesn't like a group of people for whatever reason, i believe they should have the right to express it (of course when it goes beyond verbal to physical assault, then of course i'm against that). Personally i think that people are too afraid of upsetting others...people just need to learn to deal with it.

My concern about this "political correctness" is that i can see it developing into something similar to newspeak (read 1984 if you're not familiar with this).

[SeanC]

Censorship easily goes to far.

Originel, if you don't like a group of people, you still shouldn't be able to verbally assault them directly.

Sean

[shahani]

I am against all censorship. Censorship presupposes that the Censor know what is better than the censee (is this a word??). I think I should decide what to see, hear and participate in. Not someone else. Infringes on my freedom.

On the other hand, I am responsible for what I do. If my actions harm anyone (including libel/slander) and I can't prove it then I will be accountable in court of law.

Censorship is dangerous because who decides what is objectionable. Something may be OK for me but censorable for someone else. When judgement comes in, I think everyone should decide for themselves.

In todays internet era, where by definition there can't be censorship, imposing any form of censorship implies going back 20 years in time. Of course, countries like Singapore and much of the Mid East block websites to content they, the authorities, feel is unsuitable for their citizens. But with satellite internet connections, this may be self-defeating.