pros and cons of censorship
Pros and Cons of Censorship
Censorship is prevalent in the modern society. It is a highly divisive issue. There are proponents who think that its use creates a balance in what ought to be said and written, while opponents criticize on the basis of the threat it poses to the right of speech. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of censorship.
- Censorship of pornographic material prevents the minds of children from becoming corrupt.
- Religious conflicts are avoided by the censorship of material deemed insulting or offensive to a particular religious community.
- Censorship is necessary to preserve the secrets of a nation.
- It is useful in hiding sensitive military information, which could be used by an enemy state.
- Scenes of people consuming alcohol or smoking influence people to copy them. Hence, censoring such scenes serves a useful purpose.
- People may copy dangerous stunts shown on TV or movies. Censorship proves necessary here.
- Books may be used to portray wrong information about individuals or groups that could incite violence against them. Censorship would definitely prove helpful here.
- It can be used to prevent politically motivated propaganda.
- It protects the privacy of people.
- Plagiarism is prevented.
- Abusive scenes in movies may offend some people. Censorship prevents that.
- It protects indigenous cultures from the bad influence of foreign cultures.
- It prevents the public display of disrespect to any particular individual or community.
- It prevents companies from spreading inaccurate or grossly exaggerated claims about their products.
- It prevents spreading of racism.
- It promotes political correctness.
- Terrorists are prevented from learning about dangerous technology like the atom bomb.
- Children are prevented from learning things that could harm them and others.
- It prevents the ill effects of globalization affecting societies.
- It shields the morals of society.
- It restrains vulgarity and obscenity.
- The surfeit of violence in movies and TV is restricted by it.
- It prevents violence by stopping the broadcast of events, which might trigger it.
- During an emergency like a terrorist attack, it helps in controlling panic and rumors throughout the nation. This was observed in India in 2008 when terrorists attacked The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
- If sex-related topics are completely censored it becomes difficult to teach children and teenagers about the dangers of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS.
- Dictators use censorship to promote a flattering image of themselves and for removing any information that goes against them.
- Freedom of speech is compromised.
- Religious fundamentalists like the Taliban use them to coerce the population.
- It encroaches upon the freedom of the press.
- It prevents the free flow of ideas.
- It may intrude on the privacy of a person.
- Withholding of information only leads to ignorance in the society.
- Censoring of information may lead to a wrong image perceived by the public.
- It is generally associated with dictatorship.
- Censorship in books, plays and movies may compromise their entertainment value.
- Censorship has been misused in the past.
- It is a force against globalization.
- It works against creativity.
- If you hide something from people they will become extra curious about it.
- It has no place in a truly democratic society.
- It gives rise to and hides abuse of human rights.
- It is used to control people.
- There can be different standards of morals among different societies quite different from the imposed ones by the censorship.
- It may be used to block legitimate criticism.
- Governments should not control people. It should be the other way round.
- Political parties around the world use media censorship for their own benefit. It stifles the opposition, broadcasting only a particular point of view.
- People have a right to know.
- Media giants push their own agenda under the pretext of censorship.