Essay on Issue: Censorship

Submitted By asfhdg
Words: 664
Pages: 3

“In some countries, television and radio programs are carefully censored for offensive language and behavior. In other countries, there is little or no censorship.” In your view, to what extent should government or any other group be able to censor television or radio programs? Explain, giving relevant reasons and/or examples to support your position.

In China, topics like censorship are surrounded with controversies. Journalists often complain that strict censorship for publications and articles abridges the freedom of speech. Movie directors and script writers may also feel headache when they have to carefully write and select stories for their movies in order not to cross the line. However, there are groups of people who support it, like parents and teachers. It is just an example of one country. In most countries, I believe censorship does exist and it is mostly likely a means of managing the country. I am not trying to deny its necessity and importance, nor am I an anarchist looking for absolute freedom of mankind. In my opinion, censorship is good and it is even a must in some circumstances, while over-censoring may lead to issues.

The benefits of censorship for TV and radio programs are apparent. Since radio and television are the most common ways of broadcasting, especially in some third-world countries where the Internet is not widely used, they affect children the most. No one wants our children or young siblings to think it is cool to use abusive language or to be heartless. Neither do we want them to smoke or be addicted to alcohol at young age. For example, many of my friends and people I know were pretty mad at Jimmy Kimmel for his TV show kids table. When Jimmy asked children how to pay the money that US owns China back, a boy said ‘Kill everyone in China’. Taking no offense at a child's babble, I believe that boy meant no harm but his words is so shocking and merciless. So, proper censorship aiming at protecting children is of great importance. It keeps TV and radio programs free from dirt and violence of adulthood and gives children beautiful shiny things of childhood. If a child is loved and protected by all, he or she will love all when grow up.

Moreover, censorship is necessary for protecting the safety of a country. As a means of dissemination, TV and radio programs may contain valuable information and intelligence. As Sherman Kent, the father of intelligence analysis suggests, that most public intelligence comes from foreign broadcast and TV programs. CW’s TV series, Nikita, prove the danger of public