preview

Censorship and Indecency in Media

Satisfactory Essays

Censorship and Indecency in Media

Although indecent speech is protected by the First Amendment speech in broadcast media has been restricted because of its accessibility to children. In Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) current policy, indecent speech is defined as the “language that describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory activities and organs, at times of the day when there is a reasonable that children may be in the audience” (438 U.S. 726)). By “community standards” FCC means the standard “of an average broadcast viewer or listener and not the sensibilities of any individual complaint” (Greg Skall 2). To determine if something is “patently offensive” the FCC considers how “explicit or graphic the material is, the length or repetition of the material, and weather the material is intended to titillate or is presented for shock value” (Jennifer Groscup). The First Amendment states clearly that “Congress should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibition the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech”, but history has taught us that there should be a consensus on what kind of speech should be or not censored, based on the morals, the values of the society, and the rights or safety of other individuals. Even though, censorship is necessary, it could also constitute a danger for any society that adopts it and take advantage of it. In

Get Access