Censorship :: essays research papers

Censorship "The song [Cop Killer] is fiction, not fact. At no point did I go out and say 'Let's do it.' I am singing in the first person as a character who is fed up with police brutality. I ain't never killed no cop. I felt like it a lot of times. But I never did" -Rapper Ice-T, National Review, July 20, 1992. Statements such as that has started an on going debate about censorship in the television and music industry. What exactly is censorship? Some feel censorship is a violation of the first amendment right. Others say censorship is a must in the violent, abusive world we call "society". Who has the right to censor? Who doesn't? What needs to be censored, and what doesn't? The fact of the matter is that their are the pro's and con's in the music and entertainment industry about censorship. Since its invention earlier this century, television has become the most popular format for entertainment. We can be entertained, informed, and inspired by programs on TV. In fact, Americans love TV so much that we probably watch far too much of it. TV stations are becoming less restrictive about content in their programs. More violence, profanity, and nudity than ever before now graces our TV screens every night. Clearly, there are things that children should not be seeing on TV. The new V-chip legislation passed be Congress requires all TV manufactures to install an electronic device that allows parents to set the tolerance levels for violence, profanity, and nudity. However, are children's viewing habits the responsibility of the government or the parents? There are several arguments that can be made on censorship on TV. One for example, what the pro's for censorship? What are the con's? The are a lot of good points and bad points about censorship on TV. A good point that can be made is that there are a lot of violence and profanity on the "tube". This can be clearly stopped by the new V-chip legislation just passed. But would the V-chip automatic censor block out such violent dramas a "Schindler's List," "Root." or "Gone With the Wind?" Would producers make a television mini-series about the bloody Civil War, which very likely would be blocked as too violent, or pass on such a project for fear of censorship? Another good point to censor certain TV shows is the theme of the show or movie.