Should the national government censor the media in order to protect the public?
Censorship in the media may be better than unrestricted opinions.
Currently, our country is embroiled in partisan politics partially flamed by the partisan media. Outlets such as Fox News which deliberately spread untrue statements such as the fact that Obama is not born in the United States should be shut down. On the other spectrum, Keith Obermann should also be censored for his inflammatory remarks on the left. News should be news and not anything else.
Posted by: Random59387Yes, the media should be censored for children.
Media should be censored to protect young children because children don't know what is real or make-believe. Their minds are manipulated because they think zombies are real and start panicking and freaking out. The truth is they are afraid to talk about it because of how media affects their minds. Media gives children low self esteem and obesity, instead of playing outside children are watching tv or playing video games.
Posted by: AnonymousLife comes before free speach.
It is not feasible to let people or companies produce media that is harmful to others. It should be regulated because people are not killed over an opinion. Also, note that the people who want to free media can't even spell the word opinion. If you can't even spell it correctly should you really voice it?
Posted by: AnonymousRemember they are talking about kids, not adults.
Everybody that is disagreeing is making no since because the topic is if it should be censored for children not adults. It can cause children to make decisions they’re going to regret. On television it shows profanity, nudity, violence, and obscenity and allowing your child to watch that is endangering all of us. I know that they will experience many of those encounters but that doesn’t mean they should at an early age because it can affect the way they talk, dress, act, and learn or their attention span.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, the media should be censored, because children are left at home alone more these days than they used to be.
With so many parents having to work late nights to make ends meet, there are children at home alone more, watching television. The government should censor what the media is allowed to air and talk about. Kids, as well as senior citizens, can become very upset if the media is not censored.
Posted by: HealthyMose59There are certain times when censorship is called for.
If media content poses a threat to citizens, shouldn't someone step in and take control? When it comes to the right to free speech, I think we are our own enemies at times. Just because something can be said does not mean it should be. It is becoming more and more evident that not everyone knows the difference.
Posted by: AnonymousCruel to be Kind.
Yes because children do need to be protected for their own sake so they can be become good inncocent decent people and not be people who are constanlty swearing and ruining others privacy. Children may want to see all this hot gossip about celebs etc but everything is out of context and is ruining people privacy.
Posted by: AnonymousYes IT IS!
It can compromise the fairness of law. If a judge sees a report on tv of a violent crime, and then goes into court to sentance the person accused, the judge will already have had an opinion formed on the matter, making it harder for the accused to prove that they are not guilty
Posted by: AnonymousIt protects people
If the government censors military information that has been leaked to the media with the interests of protecting their operators in the field then I am all for it. These guys risk themselves every day and should not face unneccesary threat because of leaked information. In my mind it was stolen then given to the media and its the government taking their property back.
Posted by: AnonymousSafety is Key
The safety of America is aided by the government being able to censor the media, even if that means they don't release all the truth. While I agree that as Americans we have the right to free press (news, media), I believe that the government looks out for us by using censorship to protect us in a time of trouble. An example is that they didn't allow anyone to know what was happening before they killed Osama Bin Laden. If the media had known, and released it to the public, Bin Laden could have found out and escaped. But thanks to censorship protecting the media, we don't have to live in fear of a horrible terrorist. Censorship is Safety.
Posted by: AnonymousNot everyone can handle the truth. They censor the media to protect us so we don't have to risk a life a fear and stress.
For the most part everything is told to us and that's nice because the first Amendment gives us that privilege. During the Cold War media censorship was very effective in keeping the calm even though there was a constant threat of thermonuclear war between us and the Soviet Union, but unlike the Soviet Union they knew nothing and was feed only propaganda.
Posted by: AnonymousEspecially for children
Without censorship many young people would be exposed to inappropriate things and many parents would not be happy as they wouldn't be able to control what their children hear or see. I believe that young children's minds are easily manipulated and sometimes not capable of understanding the difference between what is real and what isn't.
Posted by: AnonymousProtect the innocent.
Censorship is here to protect the ones who are innocent. Five-year-olds should not be watching a video on YouTube about killing Barney with a gun or stabbing him and making him bleed. This makes countries look down on a good country. America was a good country, but now I am starting to reconsider the idea.
Posted by: AnonymousLies, defamations and gossip
There are too many 'newspapers' or 'news-channels' who make it their business to gossip and lie about those in the public eye - whether it's the British Royal Family, David Beckham or senior politicians.
The national government should set up an independent media censorship company to verify that what is printed and circulated is a) actually newsworthy, b) as accurate as possible at the time and c) not malicious.
Obviously there are risks involved with governmental censorship - the main one being the fears of a censored state with no free speech. But does the right to free speech automatically mean the right to publish lies? Does it allow everyone just to verbally (or in print) abuse anyone they feel like?
With extreme Islamists who take offence at a French satire paper's cartoon or who threaten to bomb the USA because of one American's short film, it is clearly necessary that what is published is sensible and non-offensive.
An independent organisation is needed to censor the media to protect the people, the media and the international community.Posted by: AnonymousYes, if necessary, for the safety of the country and its people.
The media sometimes goes too far in taking the position that they have the right to know and report everything that is going on. I believe that there are times that National Security may be dependent upon some things remaining confidential. The media should never report anything that would compromise our National Security and the Government should have the right to intervene in those cases.
Posted by: WhiteZane84Invasion of privacy to those it affects
Many people featured in todays news more than likely would rather have their privacy. Just because it seems like a good news story doesn't mean people wouldn't be negatively affected by it. What if it were you? You wouldn't want your private life exposed to millions because of a family shooting, political violence, etc.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
Many people featured in todays news more than likely would rather have their privacy. Just because it seems like a good news story doesn't mean people wouldn't be negatively affected by it. What if it were you? You wouldn't want your private life exposed to millions because of a family shooting, political violence, etc.
Posted by: AnonymousFacts over opinions!
The government should monitor ALL medias including political, economics, or even trivial tings like video games. Medias should not make false claims such as Obama is a Kenyan Muslim, America is a "dying power", or even saying that a certain video game or movie is failing without real sources. Opinions are IRRELEVANT especially if it's false or invalid.
Posted by: AnonymousPrivacy is the key quality in life.
Some people feel that their life should not be spread across the media and that paparazzi should not follow their every move. As the headline says, privacy is a key quality in life. People need privacy. If I did not have privacy I would have a mental breakdown literally. People should mind their own business and not others. Swear words sometimes offend people as well. Media should be censored
Posted by: AnonymousYes, it will Protect us
Government Censorship is actually a good thing when it comes to the well being of ones nation, if the Government could deny information, not follow the first amendment, all of it would be vanquished when it comes to the fact of the well being of ones nation. If the Government doesn't allow Terrorism, Socialism and Communism to be on the web they could take one threat of their list and become a proud and strong nation.
Posted by: AnonymousAbsolutely
Media is the leading influential factor in people, young and old, making decisions. Censoring the media is not intended to strip citizens of their first amendment right, but instead to regulate what graphic violence, obscenity, and language and find its way into the minds of young people and corrupt them, thus endangering us all.
Posted by: AnonymousIt is owned by politicians
Most media/press is owned or funded by politicians, who promote their own interest via it . For example - Bal Thackrey had his own news channels, and could you imagine it talking against him.
As a result media only presents one side of the picture and leaves viewer with incomplete information .Posted by: AnonymousYes because it is the need of the society
Today the society is affected very much by the media especially the youth of today. The youth try to adopt what they see in the media as though it is real life. Therefore it is highly required to have the set of unbiased people to be in the committee to censor the media.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, to protect us.
If there was no censoring of media and news coverage than osama bin laden would have been alive. The news organizations were this close to posting that there is a plot to kill him all over the world right before he was killed but without the government censoring that, where would we have been now?
Posted by: Anonymous
It shouldn't be censored
Why should we censor the media? Everybody has there own right to express themselves in different ways even if it is violently. If we censor the media then nobody will know the truth of what's going on in the world. Not only that it will put us into a communist styled government.
Posted by: holly13No. Media/News Should Be Real
Parents should handle censorship. Simple. Stop trying to let the government do the job of parents. If you can't handle being a parent then don't be one. We already rely to much on government so allowing censorship of media just the icing on the cake. So not only do we make the laws and taxes, but we now control what and who can say anything about said government. Wow...We never learn anything from history.
Posted by: AnonymousCensorship takes away freedoms
This takes away our freedoms because we have the right in the constitution that we are capable of making our own choices. If the government takes away this right by making restrictions we wont have this freedom. Kids make these decisions to take after what is shown on TV. Therefore it is their fault.
Posted by: AnonymousNo it takes away our first amendment freedoms
Censoring the internet would be another step towards the the time of hitler.We would no longer have freedom of the press and freedom of speech because everything would be monitored by the government and if they saw something on the internet they didnt like, they would erase it. This would lead to biased government opinoins and the speading of propoganda
Posted by: Anonymousno
For example,in the case of China,driven from their communism influence,the government restrict the usage of mass media,especially the internet. It deprives their people from having full acess of the worldwide web,disempoweing them from knowing the truth.
Posted by: AnonymousIts not right
There's a right: The Right To Know, and we deserve to see everything. If you see something bad, it's not our problem, it's your life choice. You're censoring our choice of knowledge. If you don't let us see it all, then you're not letting us learn to make smarter decisions.
Posted by: AnonymousAre we all five-year old children?
No, the government shouldn't be allowed to censor media content. Where's the parents' influence on their children? Shouldn't they be telling them what is right or wrong? It is not the government's job to live in my or anybody else's pants. Censorship is not protection. It's obstruction in my mind. Shouldn't we the people determine what influences us or not? Another reason is our first amendment right. If someone wants to say something controversial, let them. It's what they feel and it shouldn't be blocked. It makes it seem like someone has an agenda and wants to hide something, like the truth. If you want to go by the argument that little kids shouldn't see certain things, that is up to the parent. But as we're aging there are things that we do need to see whether it is socially accepted or not. All in all, I believe censorship is over the top and responsibility should fall on the parents to determine what their child views.
Posted by: kingdavid3000We need to know what is going on in the world.
If the government could censor, then they could hide things from the public. In doing this they would have too much power over us, and could do whatever they want. We cannot let them do this. We live in a free society and that should not be taken away from us.
Posted by: AnonymousWhy does it matter?
Isn't it freedom of speech? Also why does it matter that the government censors what the media displays. Words are just words. People have the right to express what they want to say freely, and so forth. Even if the media DID obtain important information about the government then it's not the medias fault that the government can't protect itself from the media. Sure, its good to censor for the good of young kids but its up to the parents to control what there watching, therefore I don't think you should censor the media.
Posted by: AnonymousHave fun with a communist country, guys.
Censoring the media is just giving the government a way of restricting our freedom of speech. We can say whatever we want. Sure, people will judge us. "Judging" is a part of life. As is judging how the government runs things. Look at how the Chinese run their government, for instance. You'd have to be a nutjob to say "Oh yeah, I want that for MY country!"
Posted by: AnonymousNo because the public will only find out what the government wants it to know and what is on their advantage.
No the government will only use that to their advantage. People pay cable for a reason. If they want to censor what we pay to watch then they should have a program where they pay for cable and then they have the power on what we can and cannot know, and that would be OK. But if I'm paying cable I have to right to get uncensored entertainment and news. If it is too graphic or too much for me then I want the right to choose to ignore it. I don't w ant the government to make that decision for me. If the government censor the media pretty soon it will be like living under dictatorship
Posted by: AnonymousNo it was and is called Freedom of the Press for a reason
People need to search the past and present and learn why Freedom of the Press is vital to the rights and liberties of all. It is crazy that any would subscribe to such an idea as letting the government have such control since it obviously steers towards giving the Government absolute power and wider Tyranny. Holy Propaganda Batman why are we facing such a question. We are at Red Alert right now on matters of illegal secrecy. I thank God there are still people that have the wisdom or wits to see why we MUST have freedom of the press.
Posted by: AnonymousParents should do this
Are u kidding me if u cant be a parent and want the government to do this then you shouldnt be a parent at all. Censoring take away from the first addmendmant. If they censor everything what else do we have. They will go for more contol and we will have less and less freedoms
This is just like gun lawsPosted by: AnonymousPolitical correctness shouldn't be the norm.
Political correctness will not become the norm, censoring all content that offends people from the media. We have our First Amendment, which defends our freedom of speech, press, and religion. However, there are many who take it upon themselves to incessantly scrutinize and block that which doesn’t appeal to them. Once you censor people’s options, you potentially censor their ability to freely express themselves. Do we really need to be censored in a country that allows us the freedom of speech?
Posted by: AnonymousNo, because I believe that censorship is the first step towards a dictatorship.
I do not believe that media censorship protects the public. If the media has access to information that affects people, the people have a right to know what is happening. It can have a real effect on the outcome of a situation. For instance, in Libya today, the people are struggling to obtain their freedom from Moamar Gadhafi and his government. Those who are being brutalized by government forces need to know that the world supports their position. This will affect how hard they will fight for their freedom, because it will give them the impetus they need in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation.
Posted by: P0ngCuIII support freedom of speech,
The people should be told the truth, that what's got this country in the shape it's in. This is a great nation and I would like it to stay way for my grandchildren. I would like to see a flat tax+ everyone in the senate and congress voted out. We need a fresh start in this country.
Posted by: AnonymousThe truth revealed needs to be verified again!
The cognition of humans is superior to all animals and the consistency of ones effort in the make belief that perversion to knowing the truth as being a hazard and a hindrance to peace and co-existence is merely an excuse to exercise control and power on the majority. The minds are tools to everyone's vision of control and power. Play with them with self justifying reasons add corruption to society rather than liberating them and aiding them to defend and stand for the truth and question the right and wrong of things. Allow for cognitive freedom and not control!
Posted by: AnonymousNeed both sides of a story!
WE need to know both sides of an argument! Cannot be fed false information from only one side. Nowadays we are being exposed to only one side of a certain event that we rarely are shown the other side. and for that reason we need to know what lies on the other side of the grass.
Posted by: AnonymousFreedom of the press is one of our basic rights under the constitution.Many people have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend these rights.
Our whole constitution was written for the protection of American people and as a symbol to all others that here in the U.S. We have freedoms only dreamed about in many other countries of the world. To take away these rights in the name of fighting terrorism is not what all our veterans have laid down their lives to preserve. The declared state of national emergency should not be instituted until we have a REAL NATIONAL emergency not for this fight against terrorism.I suspect that our government is worried about much more than simple terrorism but we the people have a right to be informed.Only a national emergency of the worst kind should bring into affect the declared state of national emergency and all its ramifications.
Posted by: AnonymousIf the government has nothing to hide, why are they afraid?
A government should not act in such a way that the people under its rule are driven to question its credibility and integrity. The government should be an example to the people of the country. I believe that the main reason for the proposed media-censorship is because the government does not like the media telling the general populace of its private transactions and the like. I also just read an argument on the pro-censorship side of children who “can become very upset if the media is not censored". This to me is an extremely uninformed answer. The government does not want to censor the violence from the media; they want to censor any negative press about themselves. I believe the main reason that people may be pro-censorship is that the media has become manipulative, rather than neutral. The media should be much more thorough in their statements and facts. Their diction should also not instigate any emotional reaction to the news; it should simply inform the people of it.
Posted by: AnonymousNo We have the right to know
The Government shouldn't be allowed to censor the media because everyone has a right to know what is going on. This way everyone is able to receive all the facts from all parties and can form their own opinion on events that are taking place. As for children-it is up for the parents to decide what their children are allowed to view on television/listen to on the radio.
Posted by: AnonymousUnconstitutional
By censoring media, whether the internet or the news, the government is giving us a glimpse of how corrupt it really is. Also, it goes against the firs amendment, which also states that if necessary, we as a people could institute new government. Do they really think that hiding information from the people can save them? The answer is no.
Posted by: AnonymousThe government should not censor media because if they did that would hurt the public more then protect it.
The government has no right at all to censor media. The public deserves to know the whole truth and nothing but the whole truth. We would be making a huge disservice to the public if we would allow our government to control what could and could not be said. Everything we would read would be even more skewed and messed up than it is now.
Posted by: eyeslikethatNo, that would be biased and propaganda.
When media is censored, it can easily be used to manipulate the public. It is bias because it is media that is controlled by the government, which means it is only news that the government will allow us to know. Everyone has a right to know the truth about what is going on in their country and around the world.
Posted by: AnonymousMedia shouldn't be censored
No, government isn't responsible for media censorship. It is against the first amendment. Everyone should be able to express themselves even if it's violent. For those parents who are concerned about their children watching inappropriate channels while they're not home, v-chip was made. You can block the channels you wouldn't want them to watch. Also, there are rating systems and parental advisory stickers made to prevent negative influence.
Posted by: AnonymousAgainst the First Amendment (By Alyssa)
If the government censors the media, we are being denied our constitutional rights. Though it sounds unbelievable, if we give the government the right to take away one of our constitutional rights, what is going to stop them from continuing to take away our rights until we end up in a communist-style government? What is going to stop the politicians and representatives from doing what is the best for them versus what is best for our nation?
Posted by: ladylys713Do you really think censoring the media is a good thing?
Well, you shouldn't censoring the media can be harmful yet a good thing. It can harm you from making better decisions. For instance, if you see a girl that is around 15 and pregnant, you can make a better choice than her and make better decisions that she did. It can also be a good thing because you wouldn't want to harm anyone's personal lives.
Posted by: AnonymousCensoring our Media is NOT in EVERYONE'S interest
Because we obviously do not care, or don't mind, the offensive language in media. Revolt and protest is bound to happen if the government does this because it goes against our first amendment and is therefore unconstitutional. The Americans who choose to censor their own media and music intake can do whatever they please but do not need to push this issue into other households because of their own interests. They should be respectful of others as we are respectful of their opinions and views, no matter if they are censored or not.
Posted by: AnonymousThere is no reason why the average person should not have access to media uncensored, because we all need to be informed.
There are those that would argue that censoring the media helps keep people from making bad decisions and doing foolish things, in response to what they see and hear. While this may be, in part, true, one must consider the fact that censoring the media also keeps people from having the opportunity to make good decisions and wise choices, in response to what they hear. We should have free access to all information, so that we are fully informed in all our decisions.
Posted by: MariaRIneffective for society and technology
Can limit the potential of creativity and investment.
Government uses money and resources ineffectively.
People see the government as untrustworthy.
By these reasons, I think that the government should not censor the media. If they censor too much they are showing that they do not believe the citizens, and if the government does not believe us, we could not believe the government. This is the reason that I think that national government censoring the media in order to porotect the public should not be accepted.Posted by: AnonymousThe media is a wand for witchcraft and censoring the media increases that.
Censoring the media is a way to continue committing forms of mind control on the public, using partial truths. The public is growing wiser and Politicians and their secret players do not want that revealing any Paramount Governing conspiracies or realities. The media is owned by the Politicians out of fraud and subverting. If any ought to have the right to own the media it is the public. And threats to national security are in the form of Politicians burying and concealing things in the name of national security.
Posted by: shawncullenNo they shan't
I believe that everyone has the right to watch all the creepy stuff they want. No matter what age, all should be able to perceive the concept in which we all must learn: The world done be a messed up place. In conclusion, nothing should be censored in America.
Posted by: AnonymousMy choice, my life.
It is my choice if I want to listen to something or not. Who are they to say whether or not what I'm listening to is for my protection. How can media harm me in anyway? I really just feel like the government wants something else to have control over and or keep from us for "our protection". Sounds more like an attempt to keep us under their control.
Posted by: AnonymousFreedom of speech
Freedom of speech is a civil liberty guaranteed to all under the First Amendment to the Constitution. Apparently, the Supreme Court failed to acknowledge this in giving schools the right to censor their school newspapers {"Schools Get Right to Censor," Jan. 14}. How can a teacher teach about the freedom of this "democratic" America if his or her students do not have the right to fully exercise their freedoms? To the student sitting in the classroom, the great Constitution may be perceived as a worthless piece of paper, and, perhaps, rightly so.
Posted by: AnonymousThe citizens always have a right to speak.
The 1st amendment is simple. "Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." If the Government has information that they do not want to share they don't have to, but they can never drown the voice of citizens. Companies can censor what ever they want in relation to their products, but the censoring can never be controlled by the Federal Government.
Posted by: AnonymousWhile the news media may need a major overhaul, government censorship would make matters worse.
News media has gotten to a dangerous point. Much of what is reported is so slanted or biased that actual 'news' is lost behind belief and ideology. It needs a major overhaul, or even a complete rebuild. But government censorship would take the problem to the extreme. It would not protect the public from misinformation or media-produced hysteria. It would simply blind the public even further.
Posted by: KnownEvanCensorship is communist
Censorship prevents people from gaining access to knowledge that shouldn’t really be restricted or kept out of bounds. The spread and sharing of information is stifled. Instead of running a story about corruption in the government they will be strong-armed to do a story about a 103 year old woman instead. When polled over 86% of people said this was wrong because they have a right to know. If people don’t have the ability to seek as much information as they want, and if new creative works are not encouraged then society as a whole cannot evolve. Press is not free to report what it believes to be important.
Posted by: AnonymousWe have a right!
Us as Americans have the right to know what is going on in the government and should also be aware of what is going on around the World as well. Also, we need to know as a country if we truly are at risk from Iran or any other country and how are we to know that if the government plays the clueless game with us.
Posted by: AnonymousControl
Ignorance to the truth should not be a given, but a choice. When individuals elect a governing body, from that moment the elected officials take office everything they say do and sign should be made public. They work for us and as such deserve only enough control to guide themselves morally rather than manipulatively.
Posted by: AnonymousWould blindfolds protect you from a fire?
Censoring our sources of information would not protect us, but cripple us. By not knowing the full picture, we're hurt from making intelligent decisions. Also, how would we know if we're actually being protected? They will be censoring in their best interest, not ours. The censorship would most likely be protecting them and their mistakes than us.
Posted by: AnonymousA New World Order must be avoided.
As written in the beliefs of the Illuminati, the fourth goal of the Illuminati is "to obtain absolute control of the press" so that all news and information can be slanted to convince the masses that a one-world government is the only solution to our problems. They also aim to own and control all of the national radio and TV channels. Most of the nation's radio stations are owned by Clear Channel Communication and many organizations have versions of the all seeing eye in their logos. Media Control equals mind control and mind control leads to a New World Order.
Posted by: AnonymousTruth without truth.
The government is not looking at all situations to keep news to only Americans over the other countries getting the information to take us out, I want to know the truth the government hides from us. They will announce martial law soon enough, keep your weapons if you want too keep fighting for true freedom.
Posted by: Anonymous