Censorship of Violence in the Media

Most people would agree that not all media texts are suitable for all audiences. it is generally agreed that there need to be some limitations placed on the type and content of texts which young children are exposed to, for instance. It is also agreed that the texts which are accessible to a wide and largely involuntary or non-selecting audience (billboards, television commercials, music broadcast on the radio, terrestrial TV before the watershed) should not contain elements which might be offensive. Therefore, rules and regulations and systems have been set up to filter the content of certain media texts in certain situations. This is the practice of censorship.

Freedom of Speech

However, most would also agree (including the writers of the US constitution) that Freedom Of Speech is a basic human right, and that this should not be eroded or compromised through censorship in a nation which likes to call itself free. Film-makers, poets, musicians, graffiti artists, internet site creators and journalists should have the right to say what they think, without fear of censure, from official authorities or elsewhere.

There is an ongoing debate about those who believe in the need for censorship (parents, governments, politicians) and those who believe in absolute freedom of speech (artists, media corporations, teenage audiences). This debate rages across all forms of the media and looks never to be resolved until the effects theories can be finally and absolutely proven. In court. It boils down to issues of responsibility - as individuals, are we responsible enough to interpret and screen our unique media experience and make sure that we are not unduly influenced by it, or does society need to take that responsibility for us?

You need to familiarise yourself with the different methods of censorship used by different media, and with the particular issues surrounding texts in that form. Also, check out some of the anti-censorship sites, like Melonfarmers - those who censor the censors!