Television Censorship Essay

Although we, as citizens of this country, are guaranteed freedom of speech and press by the first amendment, we are encouraged to “watch what we say”. In order to avoid unnecessary violence and to keep people from being offended, it is recommended the certain things be censored. While many may look at this censorship as a well-needed percussion it can reversely be seen as going against one's first amendment rights, in itself causing controversy.

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.

Censorship on television in the United States has been an issue ever since the television was invented. The public holds a variety of stances on the topic, and no matter what law is ever passed regarding censorship, it will never suit the needs of everyone. Some believe that censorship violates individual rights in the law, and others believe that censorship should be available through members in the family, not the government. On the other hand, some people strive to maintain government regulation of censorship. Television censorship is significant because it holds the future of our country. If channels continue to be censored, our rights will be violated. If not, then the future generations may change

As US citizens, we should be appalled that such practices are allowed. Not only are we deprived of rights, but we are subjected to the control of others. If I choose to go home and turn on my TV to see a half-clad woman and hear frequent vulgarities, then by all means, I, as a citizen of this free country, should be allowed to do so. Who is to determine what is “degenerate” or “depraved”? What should qualify a person to become a censor?

Kids In Mind, a ratings analysis service, uses 3 main categories to rate movies. Sex/nudity, violence, and profanity are each graded on a 10 point scale. This helps viewers make an informed decision about the content they will be exposed to. The hypothesis is that R-rated movies will have higher occurrences of content in these categories than the PG-13-rated movies. This sample includes 42 movies, most of which were released in 2011. Half were given a rating of PG-13 and the other half were rated R. Below is the statistical summary from the data that was collected.

One of the major reasons why the MPAA rating system is unfair is the fact that everyone has different views on violence. The rating system is designed to measure how different parents react to different types of movies and by doing this, every parent will react differently depending on their opinions towards what is being shown (Wilson). Some parents are okay with a little violence while others are more strict. Another example is video games, some parents may allow their child to play the more violent and gory games while other parents strongly prohibit their child from playing those games; the same thing goes for movies; it just depends on how the parent feels about the subject.

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

In America the First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or

However, those who are against censorship on the Internet believe that it violates their right to free speech. Because the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates radio and television, Internet users believe this is the only available forum that guarantees the open exchange of ideas. The freedom of expression is a right guaranteed to Americans and therefore should not be restricted by the government.

At the end of the decade the FCC investigated a television scandal involving quiz show revealing how the shows were fixing the results of some shows and the hearings led to regulations that prevented fixing of television shows. As the country entered the 1960’s and 1970’s, the FCC entered into new decades with more advances in technology in the communication industry and had to decide whether to regulate the new technology, satellite and cable

I chose the television series American Horror Stories to do my analysis on breaking the norm in television. I chose this series because it breaks all of the norms due to its graphic content. The show is geared for a more mature audience and is rated TV-MA. Programs rated MA are unsuitable for children under seventeen.

Censorship in U.S. law occurs if the media displays excessive or graphic violence, has mature content that is not appropriate for young audiences or contains matters that are kept secret for national security or public safety. How ever censorship in American communities is driven by the belief of the community. It is best seen in American schools like the banning of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The book was first banned in Concord, MA in 1885, people in this community banned the book because they believed that the book was racist for its use of the N word. Other communities like in Kansas banned the teaching of evolution in public schools. Censorship could have a negative effect in

Censorship may be protection from inappropriate materials, but it also limits free speech. For the limitation of free speech, it is reasonable why people are emphatically against censorship. It is understood that there is a need to filter some of the materials released in today’s society, but too much is being done by people who have no right meddling with everyone’s rights. Civilization has always been plagued by a never ending battle being fought over what is deemed right and wrong. In today’s culture, censorship oppresses everything in the media. From movies and music to television and even news stories, most of the content viewed today has been filtered one way or another. Restrictions have been in place since early societies have been

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.

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