Censorship

[SliK]

In America you have your first amendment right to free speech, however, not all countries allow their citizens this right. Even in America, there is a great deal of censorship. The television you watch, the music you listen to, even this forum you are posting on -- all censor content that is deemed by someone to be inappropriate.

The FCC allows the broadcast of certain content and network television chooses to censor the content of their shows to appease advertisers. There is no restriction to what can be said in music, particularly rap, yet albums are released censored so that a certain image can be maintained.

And, finally, the Internet. Message boards are a great example of a place free speech should be encouraged, yet there are regulations that specify what we can and can't say.

I can understand why a network (which is a business) would not show certain content on television, however to censor movies, music and the Internet should not be allowed. It is a real shame we live in a society that just rolls over and allows people to tell us what is and is not "ok" to say or think. If you consider what things were like 50 years ago, when people were far more easily shocked, there were many more restrictions placed on entertainment. Now many of those restrictions are gone because people are less offended and there are more avenues to release uncensored entertainment (cable, YouTube). So why have restrictions at all? Why not put more emphasis on classifications and less on censoring the actual content?

I know most people here will agree with minimizing (or even totally removing) censorship. I want to know if people believe that there are circumstances where it is acceptable to censor someone or something and why?

Alternatively, if it isn't acceptable under any circumstance, why not? Why should you and everyone else have the right to say what you like, even if you know it will offend and upset? Or worse, insight violence and encourage hate. For example, should extremist groups within America be allowed to preach to their followers that America is evil and God wants the destruction of the western world?

[classthe_king]

I think the rules we have now in America are fine. You can say whatever you want as long as it doesn't harm anyone or cause danger, like shouting fire in a crowded theater.

[SliK]

Alright, I understand if there is a genuine safety concern like how you mentioned. It is the American Goverment that spearheaded the campaign to filter Internet content to the point every website had to change. Even this forum removed its download section, and I understand that was for copywrite laws but it still would have censored, or restricted, the content we had access to. Many websites that didn't have copywrited material would have been filtered. Obviously this never came into play but your Goverment wanted it. I think with all the dangers in this world, and all the different mediums to broadcast nessages, the temptation for corporations and governments to try and censor certain information and content increases.
I'm not jus talking about freedom of speech, but all forms of censorship. From what someone can wear in public, to what they can watch and listen to in the privacy of their own home.

[classthe_king]

Oh yeah I think the internet stuff is bullshit and completely out of line. I think with the wearing whatever you want and watching and listening to whatever you want...we already have complete freedom with that, as long as you're not walking around naked so I don't think that's a problem.

[Sam.]

Censor and remove Porn sites, then? Get the point!

[SliK]

Oh yeah I think the internet stuff is bullshit and completely out of line. I think with the wearing whatever you want and watching and listening to whatever you want...we already have complete freedom with that, as long as you're not walking around naked so I don't think that's a problem.

Art is censored before you even receive it so that it can be broadcast at certain times or shown to certain audiences. So you can watch whatever you want, but you can't necessarily create whatever you want.

[classthe_king]

Oh yeah I think the internet stuff is bullshit and completely out of line. I think with the wearing whatever you want and watching and listening to whatever you want...we already have complete freedom with that, as long as you're not walking around naked so I don't think that's a problem.

Art is censored before you even receive it so that is can be broadcast at certain times or shown to certain audiences. So you can watch whatever you want, but you can't necessarily create whatever you want.

Oh yeah, I remember watching an interview with Seth Macfarlane about that. I don't think that's a problem though. If shows are on cable they shouldn't have that bad of stuff shown during the daytime because of who might be watching it. If you truly didn't want to be censored you could always more to FX or even to HBO like Bill Maher did.

[Spyder]

its exactly what class said, its fine as long as no one feels that their other amendment rights are being violated. the constitution contridicts itself a lot, which can be expected given they were trying to create moral guidelines for an entire nation.

and its getting more lax now, you can say shit on TV where a year ago or so you couldn't. it depends on the station and time of night.

as long as they come out with two editions of CD's its fine. and you never see an edited DVD, you may have the unrated version, but thats just extra tits not see in theatres lol

[SliK]

That's true, I wish more shows would take that route instead of trying to appeal to the numbers and competing for ratings. There is nothing more cheesy than hearing a car horn drown out a curse word, or people saying "frickin'", like what grown man says "frickin'" around his friends? I really hate the fact that music gets censored. I don't really know how you feel about it, but I think censoring MMLP almost defeats the purpose of the album. That is an obscene album, made that way intentionally as a "fuck you" to critics. He could say whatever he wants and the people will love it. But, ultimately he couldn't say whatever he wanted because at least 3 songs on it are censored.
I'm glad there are places like HBO that wont censor their content. I respect artists that wont sacrifice content simply for ratings. I'm glad Larry David went that way with Curb, it just adds so much realism to the show.

[classthe_king]

That's true, I wish more shows would take that route instead of trying to appeal to the numbers and competing for ratings. There is nothing more cheesy than hearing a car horn drown out a curse word, or people saying "frickin'", like what grown man says "frickin'" around his friends? I really hate the fact that music gets censored. I don't really know how you feel about it, but I think censoring MMLP almost defeats the purpose of the album. That is an obscene album, made that way intentionally as a "fuck you" to critics. He could say whatever he wants and the people will love it. But, ultimately he couldn't say whatever he wanted because at least 3 songs on it are censored.
I'm glad there are places like HBO that wont censor their content. I respect artists that wont sacrifice content simply for ratings. I'm glad Larry David went that way with Curb, it just adds so much realism to the show.

For radio, XM doesn't sensor their music for the Hip-Hop stations so there's that.

And yeah, I don't think the columbine stuff nor the abortion stuff should have been censored off Eminem's albums, a rapper should be able to say whatever he wants.

[classthe_king]

What I feel should be censored or banned are websites like Rotten.com and bestgore.com,
Why would anyone wanna watch content like that on the internet? I feel all this does is give crazy people ideas and new ways to kill and or torture people.

I did watch the Magnotta video and it was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen!

Obviously people do want to watch it. If you don't want to then don't go to those websites, it's not hard.

[classthe_king]

What I feel should be censored or banned are websites like Rotten.com and bestgore.com,
Why would anyone wanna watch content like that on the internet? I feel all this does is give crazy people ideas and new ways to kill and or torture people.

I did watch the Magnotta video and it was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen!

Obviously people do want to watch it. If you don't want to then don't go to those websites, it's not hard.

I agree exactly if you don't wanna watch don't go but unfortunately there are kids and crazy people who will get these ideas from these website.

A teacher in Montreal showed his whole class the Magnotta video? Like WTF man, who does that?

Te teacher ended up losing his job.

So because there are a few retards that can't handle what their watching it should be banned for everyone? That's insane.

[classthe_king]

Yes. I'm obviously fine. No ones making anyone watching it against their will. Banning something on the internet that people willingly want to see is moronic, especially when they have disclaimers.

[SliK]

I tend to agree with class, there should be very minimal censorship on the Internet. Child porn and snuff videos really aren't acceptable but I can't think of many other things that require censorship.

[SliK]

Vidoes of people being killed, like the one you mentioned above.