MEDIA LAW - CENSORSHIP

CENSORSHIP

 

Censorship refers to the suppression of speech or writing that is considered to be a bad influence on society. Moral censorship is usually imposed by governments, though religious and other authorities might also target speech or writing that they do not approve of. Some content, such as books as movies, might be censored because they are judged to cross the boundaries of what is considered decent in a society at a point in time.

 
One question is usually most clearly seen in the restriction on so-called "obscene" or "pornographic" material online. This is probably the most pervasive type of censorship around the world, even though the behavior it seeks to limit is, almost by definition, private and personal in the most fundamental way. "I know it when I see it," a U.S. Supreme Court Justice once said of obscene material. The judge spoke more truth than he realized: different nations across the world have different thresholds for what they consider pornographic material. In some locales, it is a bare male torso that crosses the line, while in others, any depiction of pubic hair, whereas still others permit any activity between consenting adults.

Another target of censorship is so-called state secrets, information whose spread is regarded as damaging to the military, political or economic interests of a nation. For example, the government of a country might object to the publication of accurate photographs of its defense establishments or airports that hostile nations might exploit. While such concerns might be viewed as justified by the government of a country, we have to be careful not to suppress political opinions that are critical of the current political leadership under the guise of patriotism and national interest.

Other targets of censorship include scientific research, where research results contrary to currently-held beliefs might be suppressed by those who control the outlets for publication. Even the lyrics of popular music (especially rap music) often run into opposition from people who seek to censor them.
Censorship is not a simple issue. Some even see restrictions on hate speech (writing or speech expressing malice towards ethnic, religious, or social groups) as censorship, though others feel that silencing such speech enhances harmony in society. Yet others worry about self-censorship, the way we restrain ourselves, due to political or economic pressures, from saying what we really want. Whatever our personal views on censorship, it is clear that not saying something often has as much impact on what we say.