Sierra Aguilar

English

Period 2

Royal

February 4, 2017

Argumentative Essay: Censorship

The particular evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the

human race, posterity as well as the existing generation; those who hold it. If the opinion is right,

they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is

almost as great as a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of the truth, produced

by its collision with error. This was one of John Stuart Mill's quotes in his novel Liberty, and it

is a perfect representation of censorship and its effects it has on the media. This quote speaks

about expression and how it is constantly analyzed even it is just an opinion, limiting our

freedom. The government is also an impacting factor when it comes to the topic censorship, as

well as other groups. Although, censorship should not be a responsibility of the government,

but of the individual because it goes against the expression of exchanging new ideas, getting

to know and learn the truth, and the reasoning of the creation of the First Amendment.

First, what is censorship? Who has a say on when censorship should be applied?

According to the article Censorship censorship can be defined as the suppression of speech

and other public communications which can be considered objectionable, harmful, contrary to

current norms and inconvenient (Cornwell and Watt 1). Censorship is the limitation or the

restriction of certain content within the public media used to protect particular audiences. It is

also used for protecting free expression, especially expression that is false and inflammatory
(Cornwell 1). There are some groups such as governments, media, regional and local

authorities, and certain groups and institutions that have a say when it comes to censoring

certain material (Cornwell and Watts 1). There are multiple types of media that censorship can be

applied to including; the internet, It was first introduced in 1873 which at the time there were two

laws that were moving against obscenity and anti-government. According to a source the federal

law made it illegal to send any obscene, lewd, or lascivious material through U.S mail

(Cornwell 1). Since then more acts and laws that involve censorship have been developed which

is against the Finding Founders and what they wanted when it came to the First Amendment.

There are a couple of benefits that censorship provides for the public that many would

probably agree is reasonable to censor. For instance, the main purpose that one would use

censorship is for the need to protect the innocent and naive from harmful ideas and images that

will prevent proper development (Cornwall and Watts 1). This statement is what many of the

resources that I found were supported, except going into more detail with their own claims. In

this case, censorship is used to protect the children from obscene material within public

communications that may be damaging to their childhood resulting into rebellion behavior or

stages. The internet and music, are the two main materials that is constantly censored due to its

contradicting effects that it may have on the public.

The internet is one of the various medias that has been trying to be censored or add more

filters by mainly concerned parents towards underaged audiences for some time. It is also one

biggest forms of media that is impossible to censor every single thing. Their argument is that

they believe certain content such as pornography or sexual images should be taken more

seriously or analyzed because censorship is the only way to properly ensure that children are

protected from the vast quantities of offensive material available on the internet ( Lee and
Sprague 1). There is so many porngraphy sites and expilict images, that it was stated that there

was about ...420 million pages of pornography on the internet (Lee and Sprague 1). Another

thing to look at is what children may post on social media sites. If they are not careful on what

they say on the web, this can really affect their lives and will never go away. This can lead into

consequences such as cyber bully and the threat of sexual predators. This number is only to

continue to grow, to the point where there is really not much that can be done.

Music is one of the most censored things out there. Music that has any displays of

offensive lyrics and phrases that can be considered racists, sexists, and homophobic messages

and are constantly monitored when broadcasting on television, the radio or any public

performance (Wagner 1). Genres that are usually considered more offensive or inappropriate then

others are rock and roll and rap, which is researched to have a negative impact on younger

audiences. A journalist known as Sid Kirchheimer claimed that African American females

between the ages of fourteen and eighteen who listened to and watched fourteen hours of

gangster rap music and music videos a week were more likely to aggressive compare to African

American females of the same age group who did not (Wagner 1). This gives some proof that

music can have some kind of violent influence on minds that are not completely developed or

can result to improper growth. Music is also to be believed that it has an influence when it comes

to certain behaviors such as participating in dangerous drugs, drinking alcohol, and smoking,

which is not something parents probably would like their children doing at such a young age.

Even though there is some good to censorship and its reasoning on why it is should be

taken more seriously when it comes to certain content, it isnt effective enough and would just

limit and restrict more than what is already is in place. It harms the expression of exchanging

new ideas. How are we supposed to be inspired and develop new methods if everything is
constantly looked over even if just an opinion? For instance the press. The press is one of the

points that is specifically protected under the First Amendment. Given this information, there

have been many laws that have been made to limit what the press can and cannot produce. Music

is something that should not have to be monitored for the worry for mild language that is not

suitable for certain age groups. Music is a form of art or talent it should not have to be restricted

just because some people do believe it is appropriate. Video games are very big in the

entertainment is should be seen as that, not something to be seen as harmful. A source quoted

Participation in violent video games allows for the healthy expression of violent tendencies in a

safe environment and can be used to promote knowledge and educational principles by forcing

players to evaluate logical problems and navigate complex obstacles (Issitt and Walker 1).

Learning and knowing the truth is something that we as humans on this earth are

constantly looking for and are naturally curious about. Although censorship prevents this from

occurring, limiting the resources available to learn and to gain the information needed. Children

for example are always asking questions and wanting to know the answers. The parent should

know that without experiencing different ideas and teachings, no one can develop a mature

belief system and sense of truth (Cornwell and Watts). If we censor everything forever they will

never be able to use the information they have learned and apply it real life situations. Eventually

these questions should be answered and explained, because whether it is sooner or later, the child

will found out. This applies to anyone that is trying to find the information to their questions.

The First Amendment states Congress should make no law respecting an establishment

or religion , or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or the

right of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the

Government for a redress of grievances ( First Amendment ) In other words the purpose of the
First Amendment is to protect the grants American citizens the right to access, publish, or

broadcast any content as long it does not infringe upon the rights or safety of others ( Issit and

Cushman 1). Although throughout the years there has been multiple limitations to many forms of

expression and has made the First Amendment seem less and less impactful. Material such as the

press, books, magazines, music, and modern media such as the internet, videogames and

television. People that are against censorship towards the freedom of expression fear that

authoritarian governments can use censorship to increase their power over the people and make

people believe whatever the government tells them (Cornwell and Watts 1).

One opposing view is that some believe if certain things are not censored then it will

cause a damaging effect to a childrens way of development maybe resulting to a bad attitude or

maturing to early. It is true that these forms of media can have influence, but it also has a lot to

do with individual and the parents themselves and what they believe is best for their children.

Parents always want the best for their children and wanting them to grow in a safe and happy

environment, but someday they have to learn the real ways of life and what is really out there. It

is their job to let their children know on what they dont want them view. It should not be the

government's responsibility unless they are in public schools. If you try to protect them from

information that is essential to certain aspects to life, then they can eventually fall short from

everyone else and might get into something that they may not know how to handle. Also,

children are naturally curious and will wonder what things are, it is important for them to explore

new information. If you keep trying to keep them away from the truth eventually they will try to

rebel and find out for themselves.

Another opposing view is that some people think that some of the acts and laws that

include censorship are not really protecting the naive and innocent. Although there are already
plenty of acts that are already in place such as the Communications Decency Act (CDA), Child

Online Protection Act (COPPA), and Childrens Internet Protection Act (CIPA) which all have a

similar duty of protecting the young ones (Driscoll 1). There really is not much more that can be

done to completely censor things such as pornography, sexual images, and false information,

especially if it is on the internet. The internet is open to anyone and really anybody can post what

they please, even if it isnt backed up by evidence or reasoning. The only way to do this is to get

rid of the First Amendment completely.

As provided in the previous text, censorship can very impactful both negatively and

positively depending from the different points and perspectives. Although, I believe that

censorship is does more harm then good, for it is a threat towards the expression of exchanging

new ideas, the need to learn and know the truth and the main purpose of the First Amendment.

Censorship will always be a limitation on the information provided for the world. No matter if it

is for the best or for worse, censorship will always be a topic that will remain two sided as long

as the First Amendment is around. The history of censorship serves as a reminder that the right

of speech is like a living muscle. It must be nourished, protected, and exercised, or it will

atrophy(Cornwell 2).