The Controversy Of Censoring Humor

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Humor is often times a route of expression for individuals. Censoring humor is an infringement on freedom of speech for the speaker. The nature of comedy is often one of controversy and shock value. Censoring this would be a shame to both comedians and their audiences.
An audience may be offended by a joke, but at the same time a different audience may find the joke comical. Censoring humor limits an audience’s power to decide if they find it offensive or comical. It is understandable for someone to take offense from a joke that shows a lack of sensitivity towards a certain subject. However, his does not mean everybody will be offended. Comedy is subjective in nature and therefore it cannot be blanketly censored.
Uproar in accordance with comedy is often a result of joking at the expense of something, instead of joking about something. The difference here is that people are more likely to be offended if they are disempowered by a joke, usually at the expense of a joke. Nevertheless, this does not constitute a need for censorship on humor. Individuals who become offended by a joke may change the channel and are not forced to listen. Even the most creative, well written jokes could be misconstrued as offensive by different individuals. If these individuals are not willing to try to …show more content…

Deeming entire subjects off limits for comedy threatens creativity and is practically unheard of. If someone is offended by a particular subject they do not need to laugh, applaud, or watch. In order to offend the least amount of people, a comedian needs to know how to treat a subject and what the intent of a joke is. Jokes about people’s differences, weaknesses, and problems should not be censored. This censorship, by people who don’t appreciate the jokes, would limit the range of those who create humor, as well as those who do appreciate their

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