The Dilemma of Censorship

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...

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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’?