Exploring the Idea of Freedom of Speech in American Media

In the article “TV’s Negative Influence on Kids Reaffirmed” by Jeffrey M. McCall, he addresses the issue of how TV has a negative influence on children. McCall states that young children and toddler’s cognitive ability do not develop as well when they have a television in the background while they are playing and interacting. McCall also argues that TV has a very influential role in the teenage pregnancy rate and how early teens become sexually active. To further prove his point, McCall proclaims that children and teens that are exposed to large amounts of television and video games become socially awkward and have issues interacting in society. McCall also says that the networks are rating their own programs carelessly, which is leading to shows that should be restricted by a V-chip being watched by children, rendering the restricting system null and void.

Although Television has been censored since its creation throughout the last decade it has started to become more flexible with allowing explicit language. Cable television such as HBO do not have to follow the rules of the FCC because those are channels that customers pay a premium price to be able to access these channel. Other channels like Comedy Central, TNT, or FX do not have the same freedom. Why is that? Comedy Central is known as a channel that never airs anything that children can really watch. South Park is rated MA, for mature audiences. Workaholics is a show that portrays three men’s lives who go through many shenanigans, smoke used, and get into trouble. The FCC should allow these shows to start using more explicit language and to not bleep the words.

The average American child watches 20 hours of television per week, that is 5,000 hours before first grade. Most children between the ages of 3-6 years old can even turn on the television and start a DVD by themselves. I am guilty of allowing my children more TV time then they should have, but I guess that is because I enjoy watching it myself. There are many hidden messages in children’s shows that I was oblivious to until now. For instance, in the show “Rugrats” Charlotte Pickles, Angelica’s mom never had time for her, always on the phone and working. Ethnic stereotyping is another message sent in Speedy Gonzalez’s cousin Slow Poke Rodriguez which is lazy, slow, and dim witted. Morality is also affected by these shows. Most every little boy

Ratings increase budget, etc. However, there must be more consideration for the impact it is creating in society. Parents Television Counsel (PTC) is a non-partisan organization that advocates responsible entertainment. Their mission statement is, “To protect children and families from graphic sex, violence and profanity in the media, because of their proven long-term harmful effects” (PTC, 2015). This is the kind of organization I align myself with personally and professionally by petition support, tracking ads and TV programs and offering

Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. Whether or not on a college campus, people (especially college students) should have the right to speak freely. Everyone does have the right to speak freely, because it is one of the twenty-seven amendments. Colleges all around the United States are now home to many restrictions on free speech. For example, the idea and use of “free speech zones” has made its way to colleges everywhere. A “free speech zone” is a sidewalk sized place where students are allowed to speak their minds freely on college campuses. I know what you’re thinking. This sounds ridiculous. Why are there specific places for people to speak their minds? Aren’t colleges suppose to be a place where students speak their minds and learn new things? Universities should not be able to put any restrictions on free speech.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The first amendment to the United State's constitution is one of the most important writings in our short history. The first amendment has defined and shaped our country into what it is today. The amendment has constantly been challenged and ratified through literature, court cases, and our media. In fact, media is driven by the first amendment. Without it, we as citizens wouldn't be able to view or listen to what we want,

Children are also drawn to more mature programs in order to make them feel older and more mature by watching them, which is why the swearing and nudity need to be cut out. I support this view mainly because of an experience I had when I was about five years old. I snuck into the TV room without my parents knowing, and when I was flipping through the channels, I stopped on a channel that was showing the movie Die Hard. Just from watching a short segment of that movie, I quickly learned the “f” word and said it in class the next day. This initial view on censorship is significant because it can prevent children, who are the most influenced by TV, from practicing what they see. They will not learn these words or actions at an early age, like I did, and therefore will not get into trouble in school or teach them to other children. The downside to this stance is that it violates the right of freedom of speech.

In the article “TV’s Negative Influence on Kids Reaffirmed” by Jeffrey M. McCall, he addresses the issue of how TV has a negative influence on children. McCall states that young children and toddler’s cognitive ability does not develop as well when they have television in the background while they are playing. McCall also argues that TV has a very influential role in the teen pregnancy rate and how early teens become sexually active. To further prove his point, McCall proclaims that children and teens that are exposed to too much Television and video games become socially awkward and have trouble interacting in society. McCall also says that the networks are rating their own programs carelessly which is leading to shows that should be blocked

When television was first introduced, it was strictly enforced on what could be broadcasted on television. Now, things are enforced but not as much, they sensor things that aren’t “appropriate”. I think that graphic images should be more federally regulated because the government shouldn’t suggest those things, and it creates more problems in the nation than there already are, but at the same time I think not because of the fact that people should be able to watch whatever they want to without government regulation. People are allowed to believe what they want to believe, so why shouldn’t they be able to watch what they choose to watch? But I also think that people don’t always make the right decisions and they could be seeing or watching things that they shouldn’t be watching, especially young people. Overall, I think that you should be allowed to watch whatever you choose, but with some regulations by the government. Additionally, regulation of television has changed from being strict to being

The American people are the ones who can decide what they and their children are viewing on that screen. And because, no one finds indecent material offensive anymore, television show creators have been running rampant with violence and sexual content. This, in turn, influences the morality of the United States, as a whole. Americans are the ones who decide what is acceptable and unacceptable to be aired on television based on what they do or do not want to view. What is shown on many popular television shows in this present time, suggests that American morality is on a downward slope and has been for 50

Since its inception in the 1950s, television has become an integral part of American society. Television has always been a means of entertainment, but it has developed into something further. Television is a tool that can reflect and nurture values and morals. Throughout the years, television and our society have had a symbiotic relationship. Our culture influenced television, while television influenced our society. When The Truman Show came out, it embodied our media culture from the past, but it also predicted what was to come after the movie was released. When television networks first came on the scene, they consciously stayed clear from

Like most democratic nations in the world, the United States has had its own fair share of issues with hate speech. There has been a lot of controversy over whether hate speech should be regulated. In analyzing the concept of free speech, one cannot ignore that it does not occur in a vacuum. There have been all types of debasements ranging from ethnic, religious, racial and gendered stereotyping. Freedom of speech inherently includes all other fundamental human rights. Hence, as acknowledged through natural rights, other rights and personhood should adamantly be included within this scope of this protection. Hate speech is a limit on free speech, as it not only puts the victim under deliberate psychological and physical harm, but also

The increasing amount of violence, foul language and sexuality available to children on TV is harmful to their development. What was once a time for children to watch TV with content suitable for their age is now directed for an older audience, Family Hour. Statistics show that this is the time most children are watching television with their family members. Despite knowing this, “Since 2000-2001, the amount of sexual content during the Family Hour has increased by 22.1%” (Parents Television Council 55). A poll done later in March of 2007 asked the general public if they thought there was too much sexual content on television. 79% of those that participated in the poll stated that there was too much.

Can T.V. shows be the reflection of our society or influence the behavior of the members of our community? Since 1936 when television broadcasting begin, it priority was to inform and to entertain our society; subsequently, a massive amount of rules and regulations were created to control the material presented in TV, which principal goal was to safeguard the moral and ethical standards of it time. Nevertheless, from its beginning to the present home entertainment television standards contents have change; likewise, the moral an ethics values of our society have change and continuing changing from generation to generation. TV shows from the 50’s, 80’s, and the present exposed many changes in the way human role are exposed, the language

The parameters of the term censorship have been changed and manipulated very much over the years. Television and movie ratings have become more lenient against violence and indiscretion because these things are now seen as entertainment. Is this appropriate for our youth? Should children be exposed to these images so early on? How does censorship in the media affect adolescents? Children are the future of our society and need to have some understanding of real world occurrences. Ultimately, censorship can only be determined by the parents. The media cannot filter every bit of controversial images. What rights does the media have in this situation? How are their First Amendment rights applied here? As an aspiring political science