The Dilemma of Censorship
The issue of censorship always provides an interesting debate. There
are many intelligent and very valid arguments for and against the
issue. However I strongly believe that the act of censorship is
wrong.
I believe that all films, songs and television programs should be
released uncut from any government or senior authority intervention.
A film or piece of music is a work of art, thus it should be marketed
as its creator intended. Because of this the cutting of a film or
censoring of a song is the same as the mutilation of a painting or an
act of vandalism.
Indeed musicians are often referred to as artists and this especially
true of those that right there own music, it reflects their emotions
and feeling and who has the right to censor someone’s feelings, past
and emotions.
In the case of films censorship is widely used as a marketing ploy.
The largest market for cinemas is the 14-17 age group. Therefore by
editing a possible 18 rated film down to a 15 it stands better chance
of being big at the box office, thus making it more money. This is
made more probable by the fact that in Britain cuts are agreed between
the British Board of Film Classification and the distributor-not the
writer or director! I understand that is not suitable for an 11 yr
old to watch a film with a large sexual content but instead of cutting
these scenes out to allow that age group to see it, it should be left
to the appropriate age to view. i.e. (certificate 18) The BBFC is
fully aware that if a film is given an 18 certificate than some 16 and
17 yr olds will see it and if a 15 certificate is awarded to a fi...
... middle of paper ...
...
Hollywood ‘blockbusters’ that do so. Real art with a real moving
message should not be tampered with it should be offered to the world
unexpurgated and uncut.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that,
‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this
right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to
seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and
regardless of frontiers.’
Thus making censorship an absolute breach of ones human right.
Unfortunately, this world is not safe, censored or kind. It consists
of murderers, rapists, and some intensely sick people. Why should we
be forced to have our artists and our creative people’s thoughts
feelings idea’s and emotions of the world culled and conformed to make
sure its ‘safe’?
...jective, then the parents also need to be subjective and judge whether or not their child should be able to see the film in question. However, with films, such as 2013’s raunchy The Wolf of Wall Street, containing record setting language, abundant amounts of nudity, and a gratuitous quantity of drug use, continuously pushing the limits and boundaries of what can be seen in a movie theatre, the MPAA has to not only classify what is in films, but make sure they are keeping kids safe and restricting the limits filmmakers can go to to make sure their motion picture can fit into the most financially suitable rating. The MPAA is not doing its job to keep the undeveloped minds of the youth of America from seeing the things that they are unable to handle and is creating a reality in which lives do not carry meaning, morals are not upheld, and life is just like the movies.
Although Valenti and the Rating System's advocates claim that parents should have the final choice in what their children view, the system may, in practice, obstruct that purpose for parents who decide that their children should see some films. For films with the controversial NC-17 rating, the theatre is prevented from letting young John Small and his under-aged ilk from seeing a film despite his parents' permission. In fact, had John actually been accompanied by his parents, the theatre would have had every right -- some would even say responsibility -- to refuse his admission. The printing of the NC-17 rating often does not read -- as would be reasonable -- "Intended for Adults Only" but rather the more rigid "Not to be Attended by Children Under Seventeen.
The MPAA rating system was once a good source for people to find out whether a movie would contain immoral or violent images; currently the system has grown to become ineffective in today’s society. Society changes as well as movies; content and subject matter has changed for movies of this generation. If the system is not changed it will not help parents to know what movies will be appropriate for their children to watch. Because of the influence and prevalence of movies in our society and culture today a rating system is important, if that system fails to do its duty the negative influence that the movies can have on the children and youth of tomorrow will be great.
The authors of these passages have very different ideas about censorship. After evaluation I will determine which passage states a stronger argument. I believe that Passage 1 provides a stronger argument over Passage 2.
When a video, video game or feature film is released, if the Australian Classifications Board is unable to classify material or the material is refused then it is effectively censored. Refused material is categorised as refused classification (RC). Despite the fact that the ACB admits adults should be able to watch, play and read what they want, the sole criterion provided for RC classification is “content that is very high in impact and fa...
In Hollywood today, most films can be categorized according to the genre system. There are action films, horror flicks, Westerns, comedies and the likes. On a broader scope, films are often separated into two categories: Hollywood films, and independent or foreign ‘art house’ films. Yet, this outlook, albeit superficial, was how many viewed films. Celebrity-packed blockbusters filled with action and drama, with the use of seamless top-of-the-line digital editing and special effects were considered ‘Hollywood films’. Films where unconventional themes like existentialism or paranoia, often with excessive violence or sex or a combination of both, with obvious attempts to displace its audiences from the film were often attributed with the generic label of ‘foreign’ or ‘art house’ cinema.
Many Americans love films, the meanings behind those films and the impact some films have on people’s lives. Ever since films were created there have been people and organizations that have tried to censor and block what the public can and cannot see. Even to this day there are certain things that if put on film because of censorship, would never make it to the public. This is very sad. Film is one of this country’s great expressive outlets. Many filmmakers and the people who enjoy what these filmmakers put out are effected by the horrible concept of censorship. When a film is put out to the public it is first reviewed by a movie rating board who then assigns the film a rating to tell people what age groups the film is suitable for and what the film contains. Movie selection for minors should solely be the responsibility of that child’s parent, not some critic that watches films and then makes decisions for other people about who can watch it and who can’t. People just need to start to understand the real meaning of free speech and expression in this country. Too many people are taking it for granted. People who are for the censorship of films may argue that it’s for the good of our children, shielding them from violence and sex, and not exposing them to something that they claim may be mentally harm...
Recently, the MPAA has been receiving complaints on how they rate movies. To give you some background, there 5 basic ratings for movies: G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. Today, the issue is between PG-13 and R. The PG-13 rating stands for Parents Strongly Cautioned and R means Restricted and if you’re under 17, you have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. People are complaining that violence shouldn’t be allowed in PG-13 movies and that they should be as hard on violence as they are with other themes. MPAA points out often that they do not police films and instead assign warning labels so parents can choose what they want their kids to watch. Joan Groves, head of MPAA’s ratings board said parents often object to language in movies more so over violence and that, “they feel they’re getting the correct information about violence.”
Imagine yourself with your friends at the movies. All of you finally want to see the movie you have been waiting for over and over and over again. But there is but only one problem. When you and your friends finally want to see that movie, you all find out that the movie is R-rated and you need to be 17 or older or be accompanied by an adult. Doesn’t that make you feel angry? Later, you have to wait until the movie is re-released on DVD or Blu-Ray or watch it on Netflix. R-rated movies have mature content such as various weapons and have ways of showing gore or violence. There are movies like Taken or The Hangover that obtain such content.
The Motion Picture Association of America has set up a clear rating system for movie goers, “G- for general audience, all ages are admitted; PG- parental guidance is suggested and some material may not be suitable for children; PG-13-parents are strongly cautioned and some material may be inappropriate for children under 13; R-Restricted, under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian; and NC-17- no one 17 and under admitted” (Movie Ratings).
Just like movies and TV shows, video games have the same rating system based on age.
There are a total of four ratings that they show at most cinemas: G, PG, PG-13, and R. One would think that with so many different types of movies, there would be more ratings. Movies today have a very complex storyline and don’t want to give away any of the movie in the commercial. If there were more ratings you can tell what kind of movie it is and what is shown in the movie. For Example, the movie A.I. (directed by Stephen Speilberg) would be D_L-SC. This is because the movie is a drama, has language and has sexual content. If you saw that in a commercial rather than PG-13, you would have a better idea on if you wanted to see this movie or not.
Since the foundation of the United States after a harsh split from Britain, almost 200 years later, an issue that could claim the founding grounds for the country is now being challenged by educators, high-ranking officials, and other countries. Though it is being challenged, many libertarians, democrats, and free-speech thinkers hold the claim that censorship violates our so-called unalienable rights, as it has been proven throughout many court cases. Censorship in the United States is detrimental because it has drastically and negatively altered many significant events.
Factors Contributing to Movie Publicity One might argue that the movie quality would be the key determinant in
Censorship affects our society in many different ways, it affects the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the books we read, and many other aspects of our everyday lives. Even though many might argue that censorship doesn't really have a place in a society that emphases freedom of speech and the freedom to express oneself, but censorship is an essential and needed part of our growing society, it's needed in the television industry, the Internet, and the music industry. Censorship helps to make our world a better place because it creates a better environment for us to live in.