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104 Censorship Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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In the age of technology and the internet, censorship has become a hotly debated topic. While some argue that it is necessary to protect society, others believe it infringes upon our freedom of speech. Whether you are in favor of or against censorship, it is always beneficial to have a wide range of essay topics and examples to explore the subject further. In this article, we will provide you with 104 censorship essay topic ideas and examples to help you delve into this complex issue.

• The impact of censorship on freedom of expression.
• Discuss the historical context of censorship and its importance in different societies.
• Analyze the role of censorship in maintaining social order.
• Should governments have the power to censor art and creative expressions?
• How does censorship affect journalism and the media?
• Discuss the ethical implications of censoring scientific research.
• Explore the relationship between censorship and propaganda.
• Is censorship an effective tool to combat hate speech and discrimination?
• Analyze the impact of censorship on the music industry.
• Should books with controversial content be censored in schools?
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting national security.
• The impact of censorship on political dissent and activism.
• Analyze the influence of censorship on the film industry.
• How does censorship affect the development of new ideas and innovation?
• Discuss the role of self-censorship in society.
• Analyze the impact of internet censorship on online activism.
• Should social media platforms have the authority to censor content?
• The role of censorship in shaping public opinion.
• Analyze the impact of censorship on the LGBTQ+ community.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting children from inappropriate content.
• Should video games be subject to censorship?
• The impact of censorship on cultural diversity and artistic expression.
• Analyze the consequences of censorship on historical narratives.
• Discuss the role of censorship in limiting access to information during times of crisis.
• Should censorship be used to protect intellectual property rights?
• Analyze the impact of censorship on public health campaigns.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preserving traditional values.
• The impact of censorship on religious freedom.
• Analyze the influence of censorship on literature and literary movements.
• Should governments have the authority to censor social gatherings and protests?
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting privacy rights.
• Analyze the impact of censorship on the gaming industry.
• Should pornography be censored?
• The role of censorship in preventing cyberbullying and online harassment.
• Analyze the impact of censorship on scientific progress and innovation.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting national security in times of war.
• Should art with explicit content be censored in public spaces?
• The impact of censorship on education and academic freedom.
• Analyze the influence of censorship on historical revisionism.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing the spread of fake news.
• Should hate speech be subject to censorship?
• The impact of censorship on the film rating system.
• Analyze the consequences of self-censorship on creative industries.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting cultural heritage.
• The impact of censorship on the fashion industry.
• Should advertisements be subject to censorship?
• Analyze the influence of censorship on photography and photojournalism.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing the spread of misinformation.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of healthcare information.
• Should public speeches be subject to censorship?
• Analyze the consequences of censorship on historical memory.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting public safety.
• The impact of censorship on comedy and satire.
• Should online platforms have the authority to censor hate speech?
• Analyze the influence of censorship on theater and live performances.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing cybercrimes.
• The impact of censorship on online dating platforms.
• Should graphic content be censored on social media?
• Analyze the consequences of censorship on indigenous cultures.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting intellectual property in the digital age.
• The impact of censorship on fashion advertising.
• Should public art installations be subject to censorship?
• Analyze the influence of censorship on fashion magazines.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing the spread of extremist ideologies.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of reproductive healthcare information.
• Should video sharing platforms have the authority to censor violent content?
• Analyze the consequences of censorship on cultural exchange.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting public health during pandemics.
• The impact of censorship on documentary filmmaking.
• Should online platforms have the authority to censor conspiracy theories?
• Analyze the influence of censorship on editorial cartoons.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing online scams and frauds.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of mental health resources.
• Should public libraries have the authority to censor books?
• Analyze the consequences of censorship on minority voices.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting national symbols and icons.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of sexual education resources.
• Should social media platforms have the authority to censor political advertisements?
• Analyze the influence of censorship on music festivals.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing cyberterrorism.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of drug-related information.
• Should public schools have the authority to censor student publications?
• Analyze the consequences of censorship on cultural tourism.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting public morals.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of environmental information.
• Should online platforms have the authority to censor conspiracy theories related to public health?
• Analyze the influence of censorship on street art.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing the spread of harmful dietary practices.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of LGBTQ+ resources.
• Should public libraries have the authority to censor graphic novels?
• Analyze the consequences of censorship on the preservation of indigenous languages.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting the rights of marginalized communities.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of climate change information.
• Should online platforms have the authority to censor content related to self-harm and suicide?
• Analyze the influence of censorship on architecture.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing the spread of harmful beauty standards.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of resources for individuals with disabilities.
• Should public schools have the authority to censor students' social media posts?
• Analyze the consequences of censorship on cultural diplomacy.
• Discuss the role of censorship in protecting public decency.
• The impact of censorship on the accessibility of information about alternative medicine.
• Should online platforms have the authority to censor content related to drug use?
• Analyze the influence of censorship on culinary arts.
• Discuss the role of censorship in preventing the spread of harmful dietary supplements.

With these 104 censorship essay topic ideas and examples, you can now explore the multifaceted aspects of this complex issue. Remember to choose a topic that sparks your interest and allows you to delve deep into the subject matter. Whether you are writing in favor of or against censorship, always back up your arguments with credible sources and present a well-rounded perspective on the topic. Happy writing!

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106 Censorship Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on censorship, ✍️ censorship essay topics for college, 👍 good censorship research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot censorship ideas to write about, ❓ research questions about censorship.

• Media Censorship and Its Impact
• Government Censorship on the Internet: An Extended Outline
• Necessity of Internet Censorship: Essay Sample
• Controversial Art and Censorship
• Freedom of Speech and Censorship
• “Pornography, Obscenity, and the Case for Censorship” by Irving Kristol: General Concern for Children
• Impact of the Internet Censorship
• The Need of Censorship in the Music Industry Children should not be negatively influenced just because musicians have freedom of speech, so some products should be censored and restricted.
• The Internet Censorship Problem from Various Viewpoints Although online communications are still relatively free of censorship in the form of legal restrictions, more people argue that interactions on the internet should be regulated.
• Political Censorship in Social Networks The aim of this work is to try to form an objective unbiased idea of ​​what modern political censorship in social networks is.
• Media Censorship in Hong Kong and China Media censorship in China is an ongoing issue that researchers are often willing to examine. However, Hong Kong used to be a reasonably independent entity.
• Social Significance of Censorship and Alternatives The social significance of censorship is determined by the fact that the nature of social relations depends on the quality and volume of information.
• Censorship and Cancellation in Different Spheres Censorship has always been and will continue to be a part of society. This trend can be noticed in a variety of examples, including the case of Joanne Rowling.
• Internet Censorship: Freedom of Expression in the Arts Many countries have embraced this technology and used it to boost their economies and other aspects of life, including education.
• Saudi Arabia and Internet Censorship The Internet in Saudi Arabia is one of the most restricted, even though this country is one of the biggest economic giants thanks to oil.
• Censorship in Digital Technology Censorship is a method of regulation that requires a solid moral and ethical basis and a system of checks and balances.
• Franco Dictatorship: Censorship Peculiarities This paper aims to investigate censorship peculiarities of the period of the Franco dictatorship and the contemporary ones, as well as to suggest how one could circumvent it.
• Media Ethics: Censorship of Online Material and Behavior The paper argues that censorship in the online space may protect the individuals’ health, lives, financial state, and emotional well-being.
• Google Inc. vs. Chinese Censorship Rules The Google company operated on core values of satisfying the user interests and expanding access to information to anyone.
• Censorship Issue: Books Should Never Be Banned Governments censor some books since they contain questionable information for relatively young audiences (Lusted, 2017). This essay holds the view that books should not be banned.
• Movie Censorship and Ratings in America The MPAA system of movie rating, though it has got a lot of criticisms regarding ambiguity in many of its decisions, has great effectiveness.
• Censorship in Cuba and Trends for Change This paper analyzes the issue of censorship in Cuba, specifically addressing the era of electronic expression and the recent trends for change.
• Censorship in the United States Censorship is a word with an extremely negative connotation in the Western world. Censorship has become unacceptable in societies with democratic values such as the United States.
• Internet Censorship: Classified Information Leaks This paper focuses on the existing controversy regarding the necessity to implement the Internet censorship in the USA so that the work becomes more precise and consistent.
• Self-Censorship in Literature Classes However, self-censorship is necessary sometimes. It is useful to evaluate whether students are ready for a certain type of books.
• Media Censorship in US The freedom of information, the press and free speech is arguably an important human rights deeply rooted in the structures of democracy.
• The Unspeakable Word: Censorship in Schools
• The Regulation and Censorship of the Internet
• Tightening Internet Censorship for Chinese Users
• Arab Countries and Censorship by the Media
• Telecommunications Act Allowing the Use of Censorship
• The Worst Thing About Censorship
• Book Censorship and Its Effect on Society
• Impact of Censorship on Government
• Arguments Against Internet Censorship
• Censorship and Propaganda Under the Castro Regime
• The Tricky Balance Between the Freedom of Expression and Censorship Plans in the U.S
• The Suppression, Censorship and Intimidation of Artists by the Authorities
• The Relation Between the US Government and China’s Censorship
• British Media Censorship During the Falkland War
• Alternative Solutions for Internet Censorship in Australia
• Censorship and Its Effect on the Creativity and Enjoyment
• Arguing Against the Censorship of Music
• The Relationship Between Censorship and Student Publications
• Censorship and Contemporary World Literature
• Art Censorship: Why Graffiti Should Be Considered an Accepted?
• Censorship and Its Effects on Human Behavior
• The Theory and Practice of Censorship
• Translation and Censorship Analysis
• What Music Censorship Entails and Its Controversy?
• Censorship and Privacy Policy in Eastern Europe
• Semiparametric Censorship Model With Covariates
• The Laws and Regulations of Chinese Internet Censorship
• Internet Censorship Variations Between Western Countries
• Analysis of Literary Censorship: Blacklisting Authors
• The Past Revised: The Dangers of Censorship
• Scholastic Censorship: Stifling Intellectual Growth
• Stopping Bioterrorism Through Censorship
• Nazi Power and Their Regulations on Censorship
• The Importance and Effects of Censorship in the United States
• The Growing Controversial Issue of Censorship in America
• Censorship of Popular Music: An Analysis of Lyrical Content
• Positive and Negative Impacts of Internet Censorship
• The Pros and Cons of Music Censorship
• Internet Censorship: Setting Regulations on Users
• The Internet: Censorship Versus Human Rights
• Secret Masterpieces: Art Censorship
• The Link Between Photography and Censorship
• Positive Effects of Censorship in the United States of America
• The Moral Standards Related to the Censorship Argument in the U.S
• Religion and Sexual Censorship in America
• The Distinct Difference Between Political Correctness and Censorship
• Literary Censorship: Circumstances That Caused Controversy
• Television and Modern Technology Censorship
• Prevent Internet Censorship: Save Freedom of Speech
• The Issue With Textbook Bias and Censorship
• Why Did Censorship Increase After the Printing Press?
• How Did Censorship Affect the Renaissance?
• Does Censorship Violate the First Amendment?
• How Did Voltaire Feel About Censorship?
• Is Censorship an Obstacle to Liberation in Today’s Society?
• How Did “Fahrenheit 451” Introduce Book Censorship?
• What Is Religious Censorship?
• What Characteristics of the Internet Make Censorship Difficult?
• What Is Meant by Censorship in Social Media?
• Why Does Censorship Matter to Totalitarian States?
• Was There Journalism Censorship During the Persian Gulf War?
• How Can Censorship Negatively Affect Economic Activity?
• How Does Censorship Affect Citizens?
• In What Instances Does Internet Censorship Fail to Work?
• How Does Internet Censorship Work?
• What Are the Effects of Censorship on a Society?
• Why Did Bram Stoker Censor Himself for “Dracula”?
• How Does Censorship Affect Creativity?
• Who Was Censored and Accused of Heresy by the Church in the Middle Ages?
• How Does Censorship Lead To Ignorance?
• Should Some Sexually Explicit Materials Be Legally Censored?
• Why Was Literature Censored in Soviet Russia?
• Why Is Censorship Important in Music?
• How Can You Explain Censorship to a Person Not Familiar With It?
• Should the Government or Other Agencies Censorship?
• What Things Should Never Be Censored?
• Does Censorship Result in Reduced Chances of Education for Society?
• Should We Censor Racism and Hate Speech on the Internet?
• Does Heavy Censorship Harm Society or Protect It?
• What Would the World Be Like if There Was No Censorship at All?

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StudyCorgi . "106 Censorship Essay Topics." March 20, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/censorship-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2023. "106 Censorship Essay Topics." March 20, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/censorship-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Censorship were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 27, 2023 .

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Censorship Research Questions

• Empirical Likelihood Semiparametric Regression Analysis Constrained by Random Censorship
• An Argument Against Internet Censorship in America
• Radio Censorship and Lack of Freedom in the United States of America
• Censorship as the Control of What People May Hear or Say, Read or Write, Do or See
• An Analysis and Overview of Explicit Lyrics and Censorship in the United States of America
• Censorship and the First Amendment in the United States
• Censorship and the Media: Advertiser Influence on the Media
• Censorship on the Internet and Freedom of Speech
• Censorship Needed for Proper Education of Guardian
• An Argument for Television Censorship Based on Content, Time Slot, and Audience
• Censorship of Music and the Impact of Listening to Music with Violent and Objectionable Lyrics
• Internet Censorship: An Examination of a Controversial Issue
• Consistent Estimation Under Random Censorship In the Presence of Co-variables
• Music Censorship Is a Constitutional and Human Rights Violation
• The Government Should Not Impose Censorship

Easy Censorship Essay Topics

• Censorship of the Internet and Its Role in Protecting Our Society’s Adolescent
• Against Internet Censorship, Including Pornography
• The Concept of Censorship on College Campuses Regarding Sexism and Racism
• Government Cyber-Frontier and Internet Censorship
• Censorship Issues in the United States: Innovative Solutions
• Asymptotically Efficient Estimation Using Semi-Parametric Random Censorship Models
• Censorship Regimes: Tactics in China and Russia
• Censorship Principles: An Overview of Right and Wrong
• An Argument Against School-Based Literature Censorship Due to Racism in Literary Works
• Censorship in the United States: Its History, Positive and Negative Impacts
• Censorship and Burlesque Show Analysis

Controversial Censorship Topics to Write About

• The Importance of Internet Free Speech and Censorship
• The Libertarian Party’s History and Its Positions on the Role of Government, Censorship, and Gun Control
• Communications Decency Act and the Internet Censorship
• Monitoring Children’s Surfing Habits Is a Better Option for Censoring the Internet
• The History of Censorship in Modern and Ancient Civilizations
• Censorship, Supervision, and Control of Ideas and Information
• The Three Basic Social Institutions and the Importance of Television Censorship
• An Argument for the Use of Censorship in Order to Preserve Morals and Decency
• Is Internet Censorship and De-Anonymization a Threat to Our Liberty?
• Parental Control or Censorship?

Research Questions about Censorship

• What Do Raleigh’s Letter Home and the Censorship Problem Tell You About Raleigh?
• Can Censorship Limit Your Freedom?
• How Darwin Shaped Our Understanding of the Importance of Language?
• Censorship: How Does It Affect the Relationship with His Wife?
• How and Why Does Censorship Lead to Lack of Knowledge in Young People?
• What Is the Effect of Censorship on Kids?
• Media Censorship: How Does It Violate Freedom of Expression and Affect Businesses?
• Responsibility and Censorship: Which Is the Lesser of Two?
• How Can Censorship Prevent Progress?
• How Is Music Censorship Related to the Individual?
• How Does the Media Pretend to Protect Us Using Censorship?
• What Is the Effect of Censorship on Our Daily Lives?
• Is There An Internet Censorship Against Human Rights in China?
• Movies Censorship: Can Ratings for Censored Movies Be Socially Justified?
• Public Libraries and Censorship: Should Public Libraries Filter Internet Sites?
• Does Parental Censorship Increase Children’s Curiosity?
• What Are the Arguments for and Against Pornography Censorship?
• How Were Propaganda and Censorship Used in the United Kingdom and Germany During WWI?
• Should China’s Government Ban internet censorship?
• In 1928, How Did Virginia Woolf’s Orlando Subvert Censorship and Revolutionize the Politics of LGBT Love?
• Cooptation, Censorship, Propaganda, and Repression: How Do Modern Dictators Survive?

Censorship Topics for Research Paper

• What Were the Arguments For and Against Censorship in Video Nasties?
• How Does Media Censorship Affect Business Freedom of Expression and Impact Businesses?
• Why Does News Ownership Affect Press Freedom and Censorship?
• Should Censorship Interviews Chain Music?
• Why Should Graffiti Be Accepted as a Form of Art?
• What Is the Relationship Between Censorship and Book Bans?
• How Does the Congress Define Censorship and Censor?
• How Does Censorship Affect Animation Development?
• Why Should They Allow Internet Censorship?

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15.4 Censorship and Freedom of Speech

Learning objectives.

• Explain the FCC’s process of classifying material as indecent, obscene, or profane.
• Describe how the Hay’s Code affected 20th-century American mass media.

Figure 15.3

Attempts to censor material, such as banning books, typically attract a great deal of controversy and debate.

Timberland Regional Library – Banned Books Display At The Lacey Library – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

To fully understand the issues of censorship and freedom of speech and how they apply to modern media, we must first explore the terms themselves. Censorship is defined as suppressing or removing anything deemed objectionable. A common, everyday example can be found on the radio or television, where potentially offensive words are “bleeped” out. More controversial is censorship at a political or religious level. If you’ve ever been banned from reading a book in school, or watched a “clean” version of a movie on an airplane, you’ve experienced censorship.

Much as media legislation can be controversial due to First Amendment protections, censorship in the media is often hotly debated. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press (Case Summaries).” Under this definition, the term “speech” extends to a broader sense of “expression,” meaning verbal, nonverbal, visual, or symbolic expression. Historically, many individuals have cited the First Amendment when protesting FCC decisions to censor certain media products or programs. However, what many people do not realize is that U.S. law establishes several exceptions to free speech, including defamation, hate speech, breach of the peace, incitement to crime, sedition, and obscenity.

Classifying Material as Indecent, Obscene, or Profane

To comply with U.S. law, the FCC prohibits broadcasters from airing obscene programming. The FCC decides whether or not material is obscene by using a three-prong test.

Obscene material:

• causes the average person to have lustful or sexual thoughts;
• depicts lawfully offensive sexual conduct; and
• lacks literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Material meeting all of these criteria is officially considered obscene and usually applies to hard-core pornography (Federal Communications Commission). “Indecent” material, on the other hand, is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be banned entirely.

Indecent material:

• contains graphic sexual or excretory depictions;
• dwells at length on depictions of sexual or excretory organs; and
• is used simply to shock or arouse an audience.

Material deemed indecent cannot be broadcast between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., to make it less likely that children will be exposed to it (Federal Communications Commission).

These classifications symbolize the media’s long struggle with what is considered appropriate and inappropriate material. Despite the existence of the guidelines, however, the process of categorizing materials is a long and arduous one.

There is a formalized process for deciding what material falls into which category. First, the FCC relies on television audiences to alert the agency of potentially controversial material that may require classification. The commission asks the public to file a complaint via letter, e-mail, fax, telephone, or the agency’s website, including the station, the community, and the date and time of the broadcast. The complaint should “contain enough detail about the material broadcast that the FCC can understand the exact words and language used (Federal Communications Commission).” Citizens are also allowed to submit tapes or transcripts of the aired material. Upon receiving a complaint, the FCC logs it in a database, which a staff member then accesses to perform an initial review. If necessary, the agency may contact either the station licensee or the individual who filed the complaint for further information.

Once the FCC has conducted a thorough investigation, it determines a final classification for the material. In the case of profane or indecent material, the agency may take further actions, including possibly fining the network or station (Federal Communications Commission). If the material is classified as obscene, the FCC will instead refer the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice, which has the authority to criminally prosecute the media outlet. If convicted in court, violators can be subject to criminal fines and/or imprisonment (Federal Communications Commission).

Each year, the FCC receives thousands of complaints regarding obscene, indecent, or profane programming. While the agency ultimately defines most programs cited in the complaints as appropriate, many complaints require in-depth investigation and may result in fines called notices of apparent liability (NAL) or federal investigation.

Table 15.1 FCC Indecency Complaints and NALs: 2000–2005

Violence and Sex: Taboos in Entertainment

Although popular memory thinks of old black-and-white movies as tame or sanitized, many early filmmakers filled their movies with sexual or violent content. Edwin S. Porter’s 1903 silent film The Great Train Robbery , for example, is known for expressing “the appealing, deeply embedded nature of violence in the frontier experience and the American civilizing process,” and showcases “the rather spontaneous way that the attendant violence appears in the earliest developments of cinema (Film Reference).” The film ends with an image of a gunman firing a revolver directly at the camera, demonstrating that cinema’s fascination with violence was present even 100 years ago.

Porter was not the only U.S. filmmaker working during the early years of cinema to employ graphic violence. Films such as Intolerance (1916) and The Birth of a Nation (1915) are notorious for their overt portrayals of violent activities. The director of both films, D. W. Griffith, intentionally portrayed content graphically because he “believed that the portrayal of violence must be uncompromised to show its consequences for humanity (Film Reference).”

Although audiences responded eagerly to the new medium of film, some naysayers believed that Hollywood films and their associated hedonistic culture was a negative moral influence. As you read in Chapter 8 “Movies” , this changed during the 1930s with the implementation of the Hays Code. Formally termed the Motion Picture Production Code of 1930, the code is popularly known by the name of its author, Will Hays, the chairman of the industry’s self-regulatory Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association (MPPDA), which was founded in 1922 to “police all in-house productions (Film Reference).” Created to forestall what was perceived to be looming governmental control over the industry, the Hays Code was, essentially, Hollywood self-censorship. The code displayed the motion picture industry’s commitment to the public, stating:

Motion picture producers recognize the high trust and confidence which have been placed in them by the people of the world and which have made motion pictures a universal form of entertainment…. Hence, though regarding motion pictures primarily as entertainment without any explicit purposes of teaching or propaganda, they know that the motion picture within its own field of entertainment may be directly responsible for spiritual or moral progress, for higher types of social life, and for much correct thinking (Arts Reformation).

Among other requirements, the Hays Code enacted strict guidelines on the portrayal of violence. Crimes such as murder, theft, robbery, safecracking, and “dynamiting of trains, mines, buildings, etc.” could not be presented in detail (Arts Reformation). The code also addressed the portrayals of sex, saying that “the sanctity of the institution of marriage and the home shall be upheld. Pictures shall not infer that low forms of sex relationship are the accepted or common thing (Arts Reformation).”

Figure 15.4

As the chairman of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association, Will Hays oversaw the creation of the industry’s self-censoring Hays Code.

Wikimedia Commons – public domain.

As television grew in popularity during the mid-1900s, the strict code placed on the film industry spread to other forms of visual media. Many early sitcoms, for example, showed married couples sleeping in separate twin beds to avoid suggesting sexual relations.

By the end of the 1940s, the MPPDA had begun to relax the rigid regulations of the Hays Code. Propelled by the changing moral standards of the 1950s and 1960s, this led to a gradual reintroduction of violence and sex into mass media.

Ratings Systems

As filmmakers began pushing the boundaries of acceptable visual content, the Hollywood studio industry scrambled to create a system to ensure appropriate audiences for films. In 1968, the successor of the MPPDA, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), established the familiar film ratings system to help alert potential audiences to the type of content they could expect from a production.

Film Ratings

Although the ratings system changed slightly in its early years, by 1972 it seemed that the MPAA had settled on its ratings. These ratings consisted of G (general audiences), PG (parental guidance suggested), R (restricted to ages 17 or up unless accompanied by a parent), and X (completely restricted to ages 17 and up). The system worked until 1984, when several major battles took place over controversial material. During that year, the highly popular films Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins both premiered with a PG rating. Both films—and subsequently the MPAA—received criticism for the explicit violence presented on screen, which many viewers considered too intense for the relatively mild PG rating. In response to the complaints, the MPAA introduced the PG-13 rating to indicate that some material may be inappropriate for children under the age of 13.

Another change came to the ratings system in 1990, with the introduction of the NC-17 rating. Carrying the same restrictions as the existing X rating, the new designation came at the behest of the film industry to distinguish mature films from pornographic ones. Despite the arguably milder format of the rating’s name, many filmmakers find it too strict in practice; receiving an NC-17 rating often leads to a lack of promotion or distribution because numerous movie theaters and rental outlets refuse to carry films with this rating.

Television and Video Game Ratings

Regardless of these criticisms, most audience members find the rating system helpful, particularly when determining what is appropriate for children. The adoption of industry ratings for television programs and video games reflects the success of the film ratings system. During the 1990s, for example, the broadcasting industry introduced a voluntary rating system not unlike that used for films to accompany all TV shows. These ratings are displayed on screen during the first 15 seconds of a program and include TV-Y (all children), TV-Y7 (children ages 7 and up), TV-Y7-FV (older children—fantasy violence), TV-G (general audience), TV-PG (parental guidance suggested), TV-14 (parents strongly cautioned), and TV-MA (mature audiences only).

Table 15.2 Television Ratings System

Source: http://www.tvguidelines.org/ratings.htm

At about the same time that television ratings appeared, the Entertainment Software Rating Board was established to provide ratings on video games. Video game ratings include EC (early childhood), E (everyone), E 10+ (ages 10 and older), T (teen), M (mature), and AO (adults only).

Table 15.3 Video Game Ratings System

Source: http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp

Even with these ratings, the video game industry has long endured criticism over violence and sex in video games. One of the top-selling video game series in the world, Grand Theft Auto , is highly controversial because players have the option to solicit prostitution or murder civilians (Media Awareness). In 2010, a report claimed that “38 percent of the female characters in video games are scantily clad, 23 percent baring breasts or cleavage, 31 percent exposing thighs, another 31 percent exposing stomachs or midriffs, and 15 percent baring their behinds (Media Awareness).” Despite multiple lawsuits, some video game creators stand by their decisions to place graphic displays of violence and sex in their games on the grounds of freedom of speech.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. Government devised the three-prong test to determine if material can be considered “obscene.” The FCC applies these guidelines to determine whether broadcast content can be classified as profane, indecent, or obscene.
• Established during the 1930s, the Hays Code placed strict regulations on film, requiring that filmmakers avoid portraying violence and sex in films.
• After the decline of the Hays Code during the 1960s, the MPAA introduced a self-policed film ratings system. This system later inspired similar ratings for television and video game content.

Look over the MPAA’s explanation of each film rating online at http://www.mpaa.org/ratings/what-each-rating-means . View a film with these requirements in mind and think about how the rating was selected. Then answer the following short-answer questions. Each response should be a minimum of one paragraph.

• Would this material be considered “obscene” under the Hays Code criteria? Would it be considered obscene under the FCC’s three-prong test? Explain why or why not. How would the film be different if it were released in accordance to the guidelines of the Hays Code?
• Do you agree with the rating your chosen film was given? Why or why not?

Arts Reformation, “The Motion Picture Production Code of 1930 (Hays Code),” ArtsReformation, http://www.artsreformation.com/a001/hays-code.html .

Case Summaries, “First Amendment—Religion and Expression,” http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment01/ .

Federal Communications Commission, “Obscenity, Indecency & Profanity: Frequently Asked Questions,” http://www.fcc.gov/eb/oip/FAQ.html .

Film Reference, “Violence,” Film Reference, http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Romantic-Comedy-Yugoslavia/Violence-BEGINNINGS.html .

Media Awareness, Media Issues, “Sex and Relationships in the Media,” http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/women_and_girls/women_sex.cfm .

Media Awareness, Media Issues, “Violence in Media Entertainment,” http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/violence/violence_entertainment.cfm .

Understanding Media and Culture Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Controversial Topic: Censorship and Freedom of Speech

The First Amendment in the Bill of Rights protects the freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religious expression, and the right to a free press against government restriction. As a key component in the very first article of the Bill of Rights, free speech is among the most cherished and frequently-cited protections built into the U.S. Constitution. However, because the content of that speech and expression may itself provoke sharp disagreement, this controversial topic usually concerns differing ideas about what constitutes “protected speech” as well as the methods that should or shouldn’t be used to limit free speech. This underscores the debate around Freedom of Speech and Censorship. The ongoing public controversy over free speech this a popular persuasive essay topic.

Key Takeaways

• Freedom of speech enables people to express their opinions without restraints or censorship. While this component of democracy has been practiced since immemorial, some individuals still fail to see where to draw the line when practicing this freedom.
• Individuals need to understand that freedom of speech still has limitations. While the First Amendment doesn’t specifically identify what is and is not protected, the Supreme Court ruled that some forms of speech are not allowed.
• The only drawback of censorship is violating one’s freedom of speech. To prevent harmful information, censorship tends to restrict legitimate data. Therefore, people should know and understand censorship’s pros and cons.

In a sense which differentiates this topic from many other controversial topics, advocacy for free speech knows no specific political affiliation. This core principle of America’s founding-that the government shall make no law restricting or prohibiting free speech-is one shared by most Americans. And yet, there is an ongoing push and pull over how to interpret, protect, or limit free speech. The free speech debate topic in the U.S. concerns:

Advocacy for free speech knows no specific political affiliation. This core principle of America's founding-that the government shall make no law restricting or prohibiting free speech-is one shared by most Americans” – @AcademicInflux TWEET POST

• The unfettered exercise of First Amendment rights;
• Government efforts to place what are posited as approach limitations on such exercise; and
• Efforts by political groups, citizen groups and activists to confront and silence speech that it deems offensive.

The goal of this discussion is to examine the various perspectives shaping the public discussion over Censorship and Freedom of Speech, and to provide you with a look at some of the figures past and present who have influenced this discussion. The figures selected may not always be household names, but are instead selected to provide a nuanced look at the public discourse on this subject, and in some cases, even to provide you with a list of individuals to contact as part of your research.

A Brief History of The Issue

On December 15th, 1791, the first 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights were ratified as part of the United States Constitution. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

This amendment has had a far-reaching impact on the formation of public life in America, from our practice of religion and our expression of art to our political affiliation, modes of protest, and our expectations of a free and fair press. The freedoms and protections implicated by the First Amendment are held as fundamental principles of the free and democratic society intended by the U.S. Constitution. First Amendment protections inform an array of rights that have been challenged and upheld over the course of more than two centuries.

The freedoms and protections implicated by the First Amendment are held as fundamental principles of the free and democratic society intended by the U.S. Constitution.” – @AcademicInflux TWEET POST

Though the First Amendment itself is held as fundamental, the reach of its protections has been frequently challenged, most notably by way of:

• Judicial precedent;
• State-sponsored censorship; and more recently,
• Public pressure campaigns aimed toward “cancellation” of figures perceived to be guilty of offensive speech.

These challenges represent the various ways that both those in positions of authority and portions of the public can advocate for limitations on the protections accorded in the First Amendment. In some cases, these limitations are not only advocated for, but accepted as legal precedent.

Limitations on Free Speech

While the First Amendment prohibits Congress from making laws to stifle free speech, court precedent has upheld the placement of certain limitations on modes of free speech. These exceptions to the First Amendment underscore the interpretative nature of this fundamental right, as well as the impetus to use limitations and modes of censorship for the declared purpose of protecting public safety. Wikipedia notes that “Numerous holdings of [the Supreme] Court attest to the fact that the First Amendment does not literally mean that we ‘are guaranteed the right to express any thought, free from government censorship.’”

The most consequential legal challenges surrounding freedom of speech do not question the basic premise of this freedom, but have instead centered on disputes around what should or should not be considered restricted speech.

• Inciting a Riot: The most famously-cited example of restricted speech comes from the 1919 case of Schenck v. United States , in which Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. analogized that the First Amendment does not make lawful the act of “falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing a panic.” This assessment informed a 1969 decision in Brandenburg v. Ohio that forms of speech may be restricted if it may be proven that this speech is directed toward, or likely to incite, a riot.
• The Fighting Words Doctrine: In the case of Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire , 315 U. S. 568 (1942), the court found that “Under New Hampshire’s Offensive Conduct law (chap. 378, para. 2 of the NH. Public Laws) it is illegal for anyone to address ‘any offensive, derisive or annoying word to anyone who is lawfully in any street or public place... or to call him by an offensive or derisive name.’” Case law has repeatedly confirmed this basic doctrine while substantially narrowing the definition of fighting words to the extent that a wide range of potentially offensive or hateful forms of speech remain protected as long as they are demonstrably public, and not personal, in the nature of their attack.
• Obscenity: Obscenity is perhaps the most debated area of free speech in the public forum. Obscenity is, by admission of the courts themselves, a difficult quality to define. However, precedent finds that forms of speech and expression which can be identified as obscene are not protected by the First Amendment, According to Roth v. United States , 354 U. S. 476 (1957), there is no protection for speech or expression which is “utterly without redeeming social importance,” and that, to “an average person, applying contemporary community standards, the dominant theme of the material taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest.” In the most famous affirmation of Roth v. U.S., Justice Potter Stewart noted in Jacobellis v. Ohio (1964) , that “I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced... [b]ut I know it when I see it.” This highly subjective standard opens the floor for ongoing legal challenge and discourse over what is defined as obscene.
• Defamation: Defamation is a form of speech which is not protected by the First Amendment. Statements in public spaces or in print (and increasingly, on social media) may not be slanderous or libelous. However, the case of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan , 376 U. S. 254 (1964) found that there should be exceptions to the reach of defamation claims for those who are American public officials. The findings of this case denote that a statement must be proven to have been made with “actual malice”, meaning that the defendant either knew the statement was false or recklessly disregarded whether or not it was true. In 1967, the case of Curtis Publishing Co. v. Butts extended that exception to all “public figures.”

Censorship in Media

In addition to the judicial limitations placed on First Amendment protections, there are ways that the U.S. government may place limits on the expression of free speech. These limits are referred to as censorship. Censorship is a function-typically performed by a government agency or an industry watchdog group-of identifying, preventing, and/or altering the scheduling or content contained in print or broadcast media. The stated goal of censorship is to prevent the public display of obscene material, or to prevent the exposure of indecent material to select audiences such as minors.

The standards around censorship have fluctuated over time, as has the level of strictness in the enforcement of these changing standards. The following are some prominent examples of how censorship occurs in various media sectors:

• The Hays Code: The Production Code -also called the Hays Code after the president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) at the time-was a set of rules governing content in cinema. Adopted in 1930, and enforced with increasing strictness through the 1930s, the Hays Code determined “what was acceptable and what was unacceptable content for motion pictures produced for a public audience in the United States.” Filmmakers were required to meet the rigid standards set by the Production Code Association (PCA), which had a profound impact on film production by restricting sexual content, edgy language, and even political ideas. Though the PCA was not a government agency, Hollywood studios vested the PCA with its authority in order to be insulated from the threat of government fines and censorship. Increasing resistance and changing social mores led to the replacement of the Production Code, in 1968, with the MPAA film rating system that we know today. Rather than restricting content, this structure provides age advisories for certain content.
• Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) : Popular music has also been a source for debate over censorship. In 1985, a bipartisan group of women who were married to prominent Washington figures formed the PMRC with the mission of “increasing parental control over the access of children to music deemed to have violent, drug-related or sexual themes via labeling albums with Parental Advisory stickers.” Identifying objectionable content in music by artists like Prince, Def Leppard, and Cyndi Lauper, the PMRC pressured record companies and broadcast outlets to disassociate with offensive artists and content. Their efforts culminated in a Senate hearing, where musicians Frank Zappa, Dee Snyder, and John Denver spoke on behalf of the music industry’s First Amendment rights. The outcome of these hearings was the industry-wide adoption of Parental Advisory stickers, warning consumers of the potentially explicit, sexual, or violent content within certain music releases. Major retailers like Wal-Mart adopted a policy thereafter of refusing to sell releases bearing this sticker, such that the PMRC’s efforts would have a direct economic impact on many artists.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) : Unlike the Production Code Association and the Parents Music Resource Center, the FCC is a government agency with the power to issue fines and other penalties for violations of its standards. Though the FCC is tasked with the duty of censorship in broadcast media, it also expresses its duty to the First Amendment while outlining the judicial precedent justifying certain limitations on this Constitutional right.

Political Correctness and Cancel Culture

The First Amendment refers exclusively to the role of Congress where free speech is concerned. However, the present-day debate about freedom of speech is a bit more complex. Technically, the First Amendment protects a political figure’s right to express an unpopular opinion in a public forum, a celebrity’s right to say something offensive, or a journalist’s right to pen a racially insensitive blog post. Inherent to the First Amendment is the premise that the U.S. government may not create laws infringing on these rights.

However, this premise does not give the speaker immunity to the consequences of their speech. Unpopular speech may not incur government intervention, but it may provoke a response in the public space. Today, that public space includes the sprawling world of the internet, and by extension, social media. Online forums give every individual a public forum for free speech, but they also give broad cross-sections of the public an extremely powerful set of instruments for responding to unpopular speech.

The First Amendment refers exclusively to the role of Congress where free speech is concerned. However, the present-day debate about freedom of speech is a bit more complex.” – @AcademicInflux TWEET POST

The internet plays host to a perpetual tug of war between these two interests, and conflicts often produce real-world consequences:

• On one side of this divide are those who argue that controversial, offensive, and potentially hateful ideas should be met with debate, academic inquiry, and intellectual rigor.
• On the other side of this divide are those who view certain forms of speech as inherently destructive, and who therefore employ various forms of in-person and online activism to silence and punish offending speakers as a means of preventing the proliferation of potentially dangerous or injurious speech.

Many staunch First Amendment advocates argue that silencing offending ideas is contrary both to the spirit of the U.S. Constitution, and to the aims of honest academic inquiry. Some argue that a form of extreme “political correctness”-the policing of thoughts, ideas, and speech through public and social pressure-is counter-democratic. Those who hold this view accuse activists of using “cancel culture”-public, online campaigns aimed at shaming offending speakers and having them stripped of status, employment, and public speaking platforms. Numerous journalists, comedians, and university professors who are accused of offending speech have been subjected to this form of cultural “cancellation.”

Activists who undertake these public campaigns argue that their methods are not meant to restrict free speech, but to bring negative attention to those who use their freedom of expression for hateful, dangerous, or destructive purposes. The aim of “cancellation”, its advocates would argue, is to demand greater accountability from individuals who use public platforms to discriminate or otherwise exclude marginalized groups, as well as the organizations that provide such speakers with those platforms.

The aim of “cancellation”, its advocates would argue, is to demand greater accountability from individuals who use public platforms to discriminate or otherwise exclude marginalized groups, as well as the organizations that provide such speakers with those platforms.” – @AcademicInflux TWEET POST

Using our own backstage Ranking Analytics tools, we’ve compiled a list of the most influential figures concerning the issue of free speech in the U.S. between 1900 and 2020. This list is vetted to exclude political heads of state. The remaining figures are a combination of free speech activists, Supreme Court Justices who have made consequential rulings on the matter, and authors or thinkers who have produced content challenging limitations on free speech.

Using our own backstage Ranking Analytics tools, we’ve compiled a list of the most influential books on the topic of free speech in the U.S. between 1900 and 2020. This list is vetted to exclude religious scriptures, and is largely comprised of both texts about the topics of free speech and censorship, and books whose content has ignited debate over free speech and censorship.

The Current Controversy

This controversy is unique in that few participants in the debate would characterize themselves as opponents of free speech:

• Those rendering judicial rulings placing limitations on First Amendment protections would argue that they do so for reasons of public safety.
• Those performing in an official capacity as government-sponsored censors would argue that they are responsible for protecting the public from unwanted exposure to indecency and obscenity.
• Those engaging in social activism aimed at hateful speech would argue that they are working to make public speech less dangerous and more inclusive.

Those who perform these functions argue that such limitations are critical to the preservation of the First Amendment. And yet, in each case, there are also many First Amendment advocates who argue that our protections extend beyond these attempts at limitation.

All of this underscores the complexity surrounding the current controversy. Most of the influencers identified here-with just a few exceptions-would characterize themselves as advocates for free speech. Therefore, this is not merely a dispute between the supporters and opponents of censorship. Instead, there is a far more nuanced conversation here about what constitutes protected speech, and how different figures, both past and present, have either exercised their rights, protected the rights of others, or advocated for limitations of free speech.

A Quick Overview of Our Methods

Our goal in presenting subjects that generate controversy is to provide you with a sense of some of the figures both past and present who have driven debate, produced recognized works of research, literature or art, proliferated their ideas widely, or who are identified directly and publicly with some aspect of this debate. By identifying the researchers, activists, journalists, educators, academics, and other individuals connected with this debate-and by taking a closer look at their work and contributions-we can get a clear but nuanced look at the subject matter. Rather than framing the issue as one side versus the other, we bring various dimensions of the issue into discussion with one another. This will likely include dimensions of the debate that resonate with you, some dimensions that you find repulsive, and some dimensions that might simply reveal a perspective you hadn’t previously considered.

For a look at how we handle the risk of spotlighting a potentially repulsive influencer, check out Influence and Infamy: The Case of Osama bin Laden .

Our InfluenceRanking engine gives us the power to scan the academic and public landscape surrounding the free speech issue using key terminology to identify consequential influencers. As with any topic that generates public debate and disagreement, this is a subject of great depth and breadth. We do not claim to probe either the bottom of this depth or the borders of this breadth. Instead, we offer you one way to enter into this debate, to identify key players, and through their contributions to the debate, to develop a fuller understanding of the issue and perhaps even a better sense of where you stand.

For a closer look at how our InfluenceRankings work, check out our methodology .

Otherwise, read on for a look at influencers associated with an array of key terms.

Anti-Censorship

First amendment advocates, first amendment rights, free speech, freedom of speech.

• Obscenity Law
• Film Censors
• Political Correctness
• Cancel Culture

Individuals dedicated to anti-censorship are figures who have used activism, literature, journalism, and other public platforms to resist forms of government censorship, to support the legal and technical efforts of those impacted by what they view as unjust government censorship, and to help marginalized individuals and groups achieve equal opportunities for freedom of expression.

Influencers:

• Bennett Haselton is the founder of Circumventor.com and Peacefire.org, two US-based websites dedicated to combating Internet censorship. Peacefire.org is focused on documenting flaws in commercial Internet blocking programs. Circumventor.com is dedicated to distributing anti-censorship tools to users in countries such as China and Iran, and as of 2011 has over 3 million subscribers through distribution channels including email and Facebook pages.
• Avedon Carol is an American-born British feminist, anti-censorship, and civil liberties campaigner and a researcher in the field of sex crime, residing in England. She is a member of Feminists Against Censorship, and as part of their publishing group co-edited Bad Girls & Dirty Pictures . She is the author of Nudes, Prudes & Attitudes , and has also worked on other books by Feminists Against Censorship. On her own website, “Avedon’s Sideshow”, she publishes and compiles links to a wide array of stories and events.
• Jane Vance Rule, CM, OBC was a Canadian writer of lesbian-themed works. Her first novel, Desert of the Heart , appeared in 1964, when gay activity was still a criminal offence. It turned Rule into a reluctant media celebrity, and brought her massive correspondence from women who had never dared explore lesbianism. She did not, however, support gay marriage. Rule became an active anti-censorship campaigner, and served on the executive of the Writers’ Union of Canada.

First Amendment advocates are those who undertake efforts through journalism, activism, and legal advocacy to advance free speech rights for individuals impacted by censorship or government-sponsored silencing.

• Lawrence G. Walters is an American First Amendment attorney and anti-censorship advocate. He is the head of the Walters Law Group, focusing on First Amendment and Internet Law, and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Legal Studies at the University of Central Florida.
• Zechariah Chafee Jr. , was an American judicial philosopher and civil rights advocate, described as “possibly the most important First Amendment scholar of the first half of the twentieth century” by Richard Primus. Chafee’s avid defense of freedom of speech led to Senator Joseph McCarthy calling him “dangerous” to America.
• Vanessa Leggett is a freelance journalist, author, lecturer, and First Amendment advocate who was jailed by the U.S. Justice Department for 168 days for protecting sources and research notes for an independent book about a federal murder-for-hire case. At the time, it was the longest contempt-of-court imprisonment of a journalist in United States history for protecting sources.

The various judicial rulings surrounding the First Amendment have helped to define the Constitutionally-protected rights of Americans and the limitations on those rights. Civil rights attorneys and activists have had a particularly profound influence in this area, helping to produce legal decisions that have at once expanded and more clearly defined these rights.

• Ron Coleman is an American lawyer and journalist who is an expert on First Amendment and intellectual property rights, especially pertaining to the Internet. Coleman, general counsel for the Media Bloggers Association, wrote in 1995 the first article on intellectual property rights and the Internet published in the American Bar Association Journal. In 1998, Coleman represented Brodsky in the cybersquatting dispute Jews for Jesus v. Brodsky and defended The National Debate’s online parody of The New York Times’s corrections page. In 2015, Coleman represented Simon Tam in In Re Tam, a trademark.
• Carla Gericke is an author, activist, and attorney. Born in South Africa, she immigrated to America in the mid-Nineties after winning a green card in the Diversity Visa Lottery. She became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Gericke practiced law in South Africa, and California, working at Apple Computer, Borland, Logitech, and Scient Corporation. Gericke is President Emeritus of the Free State Project. In 2014, she won a landmark First Circuit Court of Appeals case that affirmed the First Amendment right to film police officers.
• Alexander Peter Allain became one of the United States’ most adamant fighters for the freedom of expression though his work as a lawyer and library advocate. His career was devoted to securing First Amendment rights for libraries.

Referring to the exercise of the First Amendment, free speech has frequently been challenged and tested, particularly when it runs contrary to mainstream views of decency. For this reason, many prominent disputes over free speech have involved representatives of the adult film industry, the artistic avant garde, or advocates of religious liberties.

• Gloria Leonard was an American pornographic actress who became the publisher of High Society magazine. As a board member of Adult Video Association and its successor the Free Speech Coalition, Leonard was an outspoken advocate for the adult film industry and free speech rights.
• Susan Benesch is an American journalist and scholar of speech who is known for founding the Dangerous Speech Project. Benesch is a free speech advocate, recommending the use of counterspeech rather than censorship to delegitimize harmful speech.
• Steven Gey was an American legal academic and one of the leading US scholars on religious liberties and free speech. He was David and Deborah Fonvielle and Donald and Janet Hinkle Professor at Florida State University College of Law. His scholarship includes Cases and Materials on Religion and the State and dozens of articles on religious liberties, free speech, and constitutional interpretation. Gey was an active participant in national debates regarding the teaching of evolution in public schools and he served as a regular commentator on legal issues for ABC News in the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election. In 2007, he received the “Friend of Darwin Award” from the National Center for Science Education, recognizing his tireless advocacy for the teaching of science in schools.

The phrase “freedom of speech” carries a Constitutional overtone, and implies the shared understanding that this is an inalienable right protected by the First Amendment. Those affiliated with the phrase are often political science scholars, legal scholars, and civil rights attorneys who have helped to more explicitly define what the First Amendment intends through this protection.

• Murray Dry is an American political scientist specializing in American constitutional law, American political thought, political philosophy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, federalism, separation of powers, and the American founding. He is perhaps most noted for having helped to compile The Complete Anti-Federalist with his former teacher Herbert Storing. He is currently the Charles A. Dana Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College, having earned his BA, MA, and Ph.D at the University of Chicago, where he studied under Storing and Leo Strauss, among others. For the 2009-2010 academic year, he was a Visiting Professor at Yeshiva University. His current area of research is in the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, and he recently published a book on that subject.
• Harriet Fleischl Pilpel was an American attorney and women’s rights activist. She wrote and lectured extensively regarding the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and reproductive freedom. Pilpel served as general counsel for both the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. During her career, she participated in 27 cases that came before the United States Supreme Court. Pilpel was involved in the birth control movement and the pro-choice movement. She helped to establish the legal rights of minors to abortion and contraception.
• Judith Fingeret Krug was an American librarian, freedom of speech proponent, and critic of censorship. Krug became director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association in 1967. In 1969, she joined the Freedom to Read Foundation as its executive director. Krug co-founded Banned Books Week in 1982.

Obscenity Law/Film Censor

Though the key term search yielded zero influencers who were identified as “pro-censorship,” the terms “obscenity law” and “film censor” yielded some examples of those who, through their official capacities in law enforcement or public administration, placed limitations upon the conditions of free speech.

• Roy Early Blick was the director of the Morals Division of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia in the United States during the mid-twentieth-century. He oversaw investigation of and apprehension for offenses related to burlesque, pornography, child pornography, and other obscenity and indecency, prostitution, crimes of “sex perversion” including homosexuality, and gambling. Even before becoming director of the Morals Division, during his preceding career with the MPD, he was consulted by US federal lawmakers, testified before Congress on several occasions, and worked with the FBI on related law enforcement matters. Freedom of Information Act lawsuits in the twenty-first century revealed previously-classified documents indicating frequent meetings and correspondence between the Central Intelligence Agency and Blick during his service as a police official.
• Lloyd Tilghman Binford was an American insurance executive and film censor who was the head of the Memphis Censor Board for 28 years.
• Joseph Ignatius Breen was an American film censor with the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America who applied the Hays Code to film production.
• John Trevelyan, CBE was Secretary of the Board of the British Board of Film Censors from 1958 to 1971.

Political Correctness/Cancel Culture

These phrases are often wielded satirically or derisively to characterize those who would place limitations on free speech through forms of grassroots activism aimed at shaming or punishing those they view as being guilty of offensive, hateful, or marginalizing speech. These terms did not yield evidence of influencers who are opposed to free speech, but instead, yielded a group of influencers who tend to invoke controversy through their exercise of free speech, and who are derisive of these forms of activism.

• Milo Yiannopoulos , or pen name Milo Andreas Wagner, is a British far-right political commentator, polemicist, public speaker and writer. Through his speeches and writings, he ridicules Islam, feminism, social justice, and political correctness. Yiannopoulos is a former editor for Breitbart News , a far-right media organization. Leaked emails have shown that his book Dangerous and many of his Breitbart articles were ghost-written by a Breitbart colleague.
• Scott Norvell is a blogger and columnist for the Fox News Website, having run a column there since 2001. Norvell’s blog and column at Fox News, entitled “Tongue Tied”, details incidents of what he considers extreme “political correctness”. He is also the primary author of the former website www.tonguetied.us which deals with similar issues of language use, American politics, and international politics. The top of the site quotes the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
• Kathy Shaidle is a Canadian author, columnist, poet and blogger. A self-described “anarcho-peacenik” in the early years of her writing career, she moved to a conservative, Roman Catholic position following the September 11 attacks, and entered the public eye as the author of the popular RelapsedCatholic blog. Citing some points of friction with her faith, Shaidle relaunched her blogging career under her current FiveFeetofFury blog. Her views on Islam, political correctness, freedom of speech, and other issues have ignited controversy.
• Mona Charen Parker is a columnist, journalist, political commentator, and writer in the United States. She has written three books: Useful Idiots: How Liberals Got it Wrong in the Cold War and Still Blame America First , Do-Gooders: How Liberals Hurt Those They Claim to Help , both New York Times bestsellers, and Sex Matters: How Modern Feminism Lost Touch with Science, Love, and Common Sense . She was also a weekly panelist on CNN’s Capital Gang until it was canceled. A political conservative, she often writes about foreign policy, terrorism, politics, poverty, family structure, public morality, and culture. She is also known for her generally pro-Israel views.

Influential Organizations Involved in the Censorship and Freedom of Speech Controversy

If you would like to study this topic in more depth, check out these key organizations...

• Federal Communications Commission
• Parents Music Resource Center
• The Motion Picture Association (MPA)

Free Speech Advocates

• American Civil Liberties Union
• First Amendment Coalition
• National Coalition Against Censorship

Interested in building toward a career on the front lines of the Censorship and Freedom of Speech? As you can see, there are many different avenues into this far-reaching issue. Use our Custom College Ranking to find:

• The Most Influential Law Degrees
• The Most Influential Communications Degrees
• The Most Influential Political Science Degrees

A Further Examination of the Debate For and Against Freedom of Speech and Censorship

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in a democratic society! Freedom of speech allows free expression thru the free exchange of ideas, information, and opinions, thus allowing people to come up with their own opinions on issues of public importance.

Free speech supports a free and independent press, transparent functioning of the state, and informed citizenship.

Conversely, censorship suppresses one’s ideas, words, or images that some people might find offensive to them. For thousands of years, censorship has been a part of human society.

Today, not only lawmakers but agencies keep our right to speech protected or safeguarded, such as the Federal Communications Commission! Specific rules and regulations are set when it comes to restricting spoken words and written information, such as in the case of crafting hate speech and communicating what could be categorized as sexual conduct!

Freedom of Expression Pros and Cons

Freedom of expression pros.

It protects everybody from the influence of special interests: When people hold power, they have this innate feeling that they can do whatever they can to hold on to that power for as long as possible.

This may include a government constitution change, a private media company favoring their Board of Directors, or the suppression of some minority groups that harms the people involved.

With the freedom of speech, this power can be significantly reduced because people are allowed to express what they truly feel about those who are in power. There is nothing to fear of losing personal freedom because everybody’s opinion will contribute to the conversation.

It eliminates compelled actions. When people have freedom of expression, the government cannot compel their actions in a way that they need to speak a specific message. You control what you want and how you want to express those words.

Granting that the government does attempt to change your words to its advantage, you will still have the chance to address the issue and correct the ‘mistakes’ that others create in your work.

Freedom of Expression Cons

Freedom of Expression does not mean you have the freedom to practice “ALL” speech: Freedom of speech allows you to express what you want in a way that does not create legal consequences for you.

Even if your comments are rude or unsavory, you still have the right to express them. However, there are four types of speech in the US that are not allowed under the First Amendment:

• You cannot express any authentic threats against somebody.
• Defaming, including slander and libel, are illegal.
• Plagiarizing any copyrighted materials is now allowed.
• You cannot share obscene materials, like child pornography.

Freedom of Expression can breed false information: Because of the rise of the Internet, some people tend to abuse freedom of speech. They can easily spread false information and still get away with it.

Interested in diving into another one of our controversial topics? Check out The 30 Most Controversial Topics Today!

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Essay Samples on Censorship

The power of censorship: safeguarding societal values.

The debate surrounding censorship persuasive is one that evokes strong emotions and diverse opinions. It raises questions about the delicate balance between protecting public morality and preserving the ideals of freedom of expression. While some argue that censorship stifles creativity and limits access to diverse...

The Importance of Censorship: The Vital Balancing Act

The role of censorship in society is a topic that evokes a wide range of opinions, from staunch support to vehement opposition. While the concept of restricting information and expression might seem contrary to the ideals of freedom and openness, a closer examination reveals the...

Navigating the Contours of Music Censorship

Music, an expressive medium that transcends boundaries and cultures, has the power to shape emotions, spark conversations, and challenge societal norms. In the realm of creativity, however, the concept of music censorship introduces a discordant note. The discourse around music censorship echoes the clash between...

Censorship of Art and Artists: The Complex Discourse

The intersection of creativity and expression often finds itself entangled in a contentious debate: the censorship of art and artists. This complex issue has sparked discussions across societies and cultures, raising questions about freedom of speech, cultural preservation, and the power dynamics between creators and...

Unnoted Benefits of Censorship in Media That Protect Us

The topic given to me was to push Media Censorship in the essay. Media Censorship is a form of censorship but specifically in the media. An example of Media censorship is the rating you see on tv like “PG” which means parental guidance. On the...

• Media Influence

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Fahrenheit 451: Censorship in Ray Bradbury's Novel

Introduction Fahrenheit 451 was written by Ray Bradbury in 1953. In the text, their society wants to burn books to make life simpler and less complicated. In the novel, they burned books using firemen. Bradbury uses an interesting way of showing how twisted their society...

• Fahrenheit 451
• Ray Bradbury

Why Censorship Is Bad for the Perception of Information

Censorship is bad for the community because it is very harmful to people,it can be all over the world and it can cause so much pain in  many different communities in different ways. Following the history of Censorship, writers varying of both age and experience...

Analysis of Western and Japanese Censorship of the Pokemon Anime

In Japanese, the term anime (アニメ) refers to all forms of animation, whereas in the Western world it strictly denotes a “Japanese-style animated film”. The word is the abbreviated pronunciation of “animation” in Japanese. The first anime were produced in Japan at the beginning of...

• Japanese Culture

Arguments for Ensuring the Freedom of Speech in US

Did you know that the happiest country on earth in 2017 was Norway? Did you also know that according to article 100 of The Constitution of Norway, Norwegians are given the right to having freedom in their speech? Denmark, also named to be the happiest...

• Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech Represented by David Irwin

Supreme Court has struggled to determine what exactly constitutes protected speech. Not speaking, using offensive language to convey political messages, students wearing black armbands to school to protest a war (“Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.”), contributing money to campaigns,...

A Case Study of the American Right to the Freedom of Speech

One of our rights in the United States is freedom of speech, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution, “...prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, ensuring that there is no prohibition on...

• First Amendment

The Issue of Language Censorship in the U. S. and Its Impacts

Language significantly influences how people feel and what the world perceives, thus there always has been and always will be attempts made to control it. Unfortunately the people planning to censor language don’t understand that people will not stop using words because they have been...

The History of Censorship in China

Imagine this: a world without Google, Youtube, or Instagram. The horror. Such a scenario would be almost inconceivable to any internet user who regularly relies on search engines to have easy access to endless information, streaming services to procrastinate on work, and social media to...

John Stuart Mill's Stance Against Censorship

The line between being able to punish those who use hate speech and those who exercise their right to free speech is a hard one to define. In this essay, Mill’s, opinion, arguments against him, limitations, and assumptions. Mill states three main arguments and their...

• John Stuart Mill

Ongoing Debate About Benefits of Censorship

Censorship was introduced in the 1800s but was abolished half a century later in 1905. Some forms of censorship were still legal but were finally abrogated on April 27, 1917. But on October 1917 the decrees were lifted and censorship was fully installed back into...

Research Review of Censorship: History and International Overview

The burning of books, cover ups of tragedies, and the muting of other points of view. These actions are frequent, oppressive and yet sometimes necessary. Censorship - the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable,...

• American History

Censorship in India: Striking a Delicate Balance Between Freedom and Regulation

Censorship in India has been a subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny, touching various aspects of society, politics, media, and communication. While some argue that censorship is essential for maintaining social order and national security, others view it as a barrier to freedom of speech...

Censorship In Our Time, Its Forms

You don’t have to go back to communist russia to experience it. You don’t have to be in apartheid South Africa to feel restricted by it. You don’t have to be in north korea to understand how important information is. More importantly, how powerful information...

• Freedom of Expression

Best topics on Censorship

1. The Power of Censorship: Safeguarding Societal Values

2. The Importance of Censorship: The Vital Balancing Act

3. Navigating the Contours of Music Censorship

4. Censorship of Art and Artists: The Complex Discourse

5. Unnoted Benefits of Censorship in Media That Protect Us

6. Fahrenheit 451: Censorship in Ray Bradbury’s Novel

7. Why Censorship Is Bad for the Perception of Information

8. Analysis of Western and Japanese Censorship of the Pokemon Anime

9. Arguments for Ensuring the Freedom of Speech in US

10. Freedom of Speech Represented by David Irwin

11. A Case Study of the American Right to the Freedom of Speech

12. The Issue of Language Censorship in the U. S. and Its Impacts

13. The History of Censorship in China

14. John Stuart Mill’s Stance Against Censorship

15. Ongoing Debate About Benefits of Censorship

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Averting our eyes: The controversy of internet censorship

Pornography. Extremism. Fake News. Few words have as visceral an effect on a person as these. Together, these three items embody almost everything that is wrong in American society. And how has the government responded to their increase? By inviting them in as guests of honor through internet servers around the country.

Since its inception, the internet has been a nearly universal hub of information and activity. Everything from debates, auctions and photo albums is shared across the web in plain view of the public. Unfortunately, the internet contains much more sinister files than these. Pornography, drug deals and explicit content are all only a few clicks away from anyone with access to a computer. In this age, parents are forced to protect the eyes of their children from graphic content and sexual innuendos from the moment they touch their first device. Sexual addictions and crime rates across the country are on the rise and the vulgarity of the internet bears the brunt of the blame.

For years there has been an ongoing argument regarding the subject of internet censorship. Many groups claim that any content that someone desires to put on the web should be allowed to be posted. Others staunchly believe that the internet has become too explicit and harmful to be allowed to continue unchecked.

I believe that there is a difference between the restriction of useful information that can be applied and evaluated freely by consumers and the restriction of material that has little to no positive application. To be clear, I don’t believe that the internet needs to be dismantled. It is a wonderful tool with limitless potential for the improvement of mankind. But, I also believe that it is a tool that can easily be misused. Evil was not born on the day the internet was created, but it was given a new foster home. In the days of newspapers and encyclopedias, evil things were still captured and mass-produced but not on the scale that the internet allows them to be.

Much of the content on the internet including pornographic websites fall within that category of harmful material. These are things that have no potential to improve society and serve as a stumbling block to many who are exposed to them. We are becoming a culture that is more addicted, sexualized and uncaring than we ever have been before, and it is happening at a younger age than we have previously seen. Left unchecked, this exposure could lead to a dramatic shift in the moral values of American youth. When exposure to explicit content becomes normalized, other more socially unacceptable acts become more acceptable. Several scholars and studies have made the connection between rape acceptance and pornography exposure. Pornography is not simply images or videos; it is the breeding place of complacency and acceptance of heinous acts.

Another more controversial item needing censorship from the internet is websites and forums that foster extreme or criminal opinions. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime published a document that records multiple examples of how the internet has been used to foster terrorism across the globe. One of the main ways these groups use the internet to reach people is through propaganda, including messages, videos or games that intended to sway people to a more extreme mindset.

This topic becomes startling when we realize that none of this is actually prohibited. The UNODC states that “the dissemination of propaganda is generally not, in and of itself, a prohibited activity.” How is this not illegal? Criminal groups are embedding dangerous messages into the internet, and there is nothing the law can do to stop them.

The final commonality on the internet that needs to be regulated is fake news. As internet users, we are practically drowned in a flood of news. I understand that storylines will differ based on the perspective from which they are told, but an issue arises when two stories become irreconcilable. We are correct to assume that a narrative contains multiple storylines, but those lines should not contradict each other.

Somehow, individuals and news outlets manage to transform a single-threaded story into a web of self-contradiction and fallacy. Often, only a select few of those accounts are reasonably factual, leaving the rest as pure fiction, written to incite an emotional response in undiscerning people. It has become increasingly difficult to find cultural common ground with people around us because of the sheer quantity of fallacies we are fed. Humanity requires a standard to be set for news on the internet if groups are to begin to fix bridges and restore broken relationships.

But my viewpoint is uncommon. As a whole, the general American consensus is that freedom of speech should not be infringed. They cry that the First Amendment protects our freedom and keeps the government from influencing our lives. The American Constitution makes it clear that information should be free for all, and that it cannot be restricted by the government.

There is certainly justification in their fears. Governments should not be allowed to abuse their power to subjugate their citizens by scrubbing the internet. Many people fear what may happen to America if internet censorship is allowed. They fear that their freedom of speech will be infringed upon, and they will not be able to express their doubts and concerns to the public. In the opinion of many, internet censorship is the first step down the road leading to the eventual loss of freedom for Americans. Without freedom, innovation and progress will come to a standstill, leading to the undoing of American society.

The discussion regarding internet censorship is just one example of a larger ongoing debate. The core of this issue lies the question of man’s moral compass. If a man is born good, then there is no need to regulate content on the internet or anywhere else. But if man is inherently evil, regulation is imperative. Without guidance, humanity will slowly fall away from moral rightness, and we will begin to suffer the consequences of our arrogance.

The question also remains, who exists that is good enough to regulate us? Certainly not the government. They are human as well and have shown that they fall victim to the same errors as the public. The regulator would have to be a group with objective goals and moral uprightness. I am not sure if such a group exists. But if humanity has proven anything, it is that we are a people sorely in need of regulation if we are to remain on a path to improvement.

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Need for Internet Censorship and its Impact on Society Essay

Introduction, against civil rights, ignorance and misinformation, technically impossible, standardization, works cited.

The Internet is a worldwide electronic library with virtually any kind of information hence it is the greatest and most convenient source of information at the click of a button. Of all the diverse information available in the internet, some explicit information such as pornography, racism, ethnicity, crime and war are considered unethical and against strong virtues of the society.

The negative impacts of internet have raised many concerns over freedom of access and publishing of information, leading to the need to censor internet. Although censoring of internet can help in protecting virtues and culture, it is technically impossible, prohibits propagation of knowledge and against civil rights freedom of speech and press.

Internet censorship is against freedom of expression. The United States government attempted to control internet in 1996 when they passed Communication Decency Act but the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling that it is a violation of the First and Fifth Amendment of the Supreme Court (Valdes Cortes Para. 7).

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the internet freedom deserves much protection as books, newspapers, magazines and even as a nude statue in a museum (Para. 1). Therefore, it is unconstitutional to censor internet because people have the inalienable rights of freedom of speech and press so long as the civil rights are protected for the interest of justice.

Since internet is the greatest source of knowledge, the censorship of internet denies people access to vital information required in order to acquire knowledge. Insufficient information in the current society will led to misinformation or ignorance that is quite unrealistic (Yee Para 4).

Misinformation and ignorance completely outweigh the negative consequences of the free internet; it is better to have options and choice on the kind of information than be ignorant and misinformed. Modern society is fighting to eliminate ignorance and misinformation that are key democratic aspects of an open society, free of deception and secrecy.

Internet censorship is a way of controlling the minds of people as they say knowledge is power hence, leaders who are in power wants to control and regulate information access by their subjects so that they can continue gain more power while the subjects become more ignorant on pertinent issues that affects their lives (Yee Para 6).

Internet has made it hard for leaders to guard selfishly the knowledge to be within their own reach thus they are making futile attempts to control the flow of information worldwide. Free access of information from the internet have significantly enabled people to gain more and more knowledge making them have informed decisions in the kind of information and challenges they face because ignorance is no longer an excuse of not making the right decision in life..

Internet information is so vast and diverse to the extent that it will be impossible to censor the information in it. Technically, due to the overwhelming data and consequent complex encryption protocols involved, plus other technical factors makes internet censorship impossible (Chapman 132). Internet protocols are designed in such a way to avoid or prevent blocking. Moreover, internet is very dynamic in that censorship will be as futile excise as chasing the wind.

The internet has no boundaries unlike laws and legislations that are specific to a given territory. The Communication Decency Act left many questions unanswered; what is decency and who will determine decency? Diverse cultures in the world have different perceptions of what is ethical or not, what is decent or not, but a censor may have a different perception of what constitutes decent or ethical.

The diversity of cultures and legislations a cross the countries makes it impossible to have a standard internet censorship. According to the Americans Civil Liberties Union, internet censorship need to be put on the hands of the individual so that they can have autonomy to decides on the information they access or publish (Para 2).

Internet censorship is a noble idea of trying to conserve our cultures and traditions, but on contrary, we also need knowledge to eliminate ignorance that seems to perpetuate in this modern society. The positive impacts of free internet access of any information, outweighs by far its negative effects in the society.

Today, a society without access to information seems be in a dark world full of ignorance and misinformation that makes people behave as if they are blind to the current world issues that directly affects them. It is our inalienable right to access and publish information and the freedom of speech and expression are the integral aspect of information.

A democratic and prosperous society is based on the access of the right information used in the making of informed decisions a better society. The freedom to access information must be fought for, otherwise; people in the power will take advantage of our innocence and deny us the right to information that is necessary to rid of the ignorance in the society.

American Civil Liberties Union. “Censorship on Internet.” ACLU. 2010. Web.

Chapman, Gary. “Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints”. 1997. Greenhaven Press . Web.

Valdes Cortes. “ Margarita. Internet Censorship around the World .” University of Chile. 2010. Web.

Yee, Danny. “Internet Censorship: an Australian Press Council Seminar.” Electronic Frontiers Australia . 2010. Web.

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Human Rights — Censorship

Essays on Censorship

Hook examples for censorship essays, the power of banned words hook.

""In the world of censorship, some words hold more power than others. Explore the impact of censorship on language, expression, and the voices that have been silenced throughout history.""

Censorship in Literature: Forbidden Stories Hook

""Behind the covers of banned books lie forbidden stories that challenge norms and provoke thought. Journey through the pages of censored literature and the battles fought to tell these tales.""

Freedom of Expression vs. Harmful Content Hook

""The clash between freedom of expression and the need to protect against harmful content fuels the censorship debate. Analyze the delicate balance between these two fundamental values.""

Censorship and the Digital Age Hook

""In the age of the internet, censorship has taken on new forms and challenges. Delve into the digital battlegrounds of online censorship, privacy concerns, and the power of social media platforms.""

The Artistic Rebel: Censorship in the Arts Hook

""Artistic expression has often collided with the boundaries of censorship. Investigate the stories of artists who defied censorship to create provocative and impactful works of art.""

Censorship and Democracy Hook

""Censorship can have far-reaching consequences on democracy and the public's access to information. Explore the role of censorship in shaping political landscapes and public opinion.""

The Fight Against Censorship Hook

""Throughout history, individuals and organizations have risen to challenge censorship. Join me in examining the movements and activists who have fought for the freedom to speak, write, and create without fear of censorship.""

Censorship in "Fahrenheit 451": The Suppressing Inquisitiveness

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Pros and Cons of Internet Censorship in Unfree Countries

The restriction of our first amendment rights through the use of censorship, negative effects of internet censorship, the necessity of political correctness and censorship, the issues of internet censorship in australia, a research of censorship in china, censorship in social media, drawbacks and benefits of internet censorship, evaluation of the practicality of internet censorship, media censorship in china, the benefits and shortcomings of internet censorship today, a study on censorship in music, television and the movie industry, a research on the censorship of popular music, the analysis of plato’s republic: the issue of censorship, discussion of whether censorship of internet is necessary, analysis of the benefits of internet censorship, evaluation of the 1984 child protection act and keith jacobson's case of procurement of prohibited uncensored material, internet censorship - the way we can protect ourselves today, internet censorship as a modern way to protect the youth, censorship and dehumanization in "v for vendetta" and "brave new world", relevant topics.

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Censorship Essay Topics & Ideas

• Argumentative Essay Topics About Censorship
• Good Essay Topics About Censorship

Persuasive Essay Topics About Censorship

Interesting essay topics about censorship, ✒️ argumentative essay topics about censorship.

• “1984” by George Orwell – Censorship Problems
• A Research of Censorship in China
• A Research on The Censorship of Popular Music
• An Essay on the Censorship of Media
• Argumentative Essay About The Need of Political Correctness and Censorship
• Art and the Politics of Censorship
• Art and the Politics of Censorship in Literature Research
• Aspects of Internet Censorship by the Government Research
• Balance of Media Censorship and Press Freedom
• Banned Books and Censorship of Books in Schools
• Cause and Effect: Music Censorship
• Censorship and Banned Books Proposal
• Censorship and Dehumanization in V for Vendetta by James Mcteigue and in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• Censorship and Media
• Censorship and New York Times
• Censorship and Propaganda Under The Castro Regime
• Censorship and Surveillance
• Censorship and the Arts in the United States
• Censorship and the Banning of Books
• Censorship and the First Amendment
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• Censorship for television and radio media Analytical

✨ Best censorship Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

• Rapunzel: Censorship in Fairy Tales The Grimm brothers have a rich collection of fairy tales. This is not a surprise because writing or telling fairy tales is a way to introduce children to some themes, like oedipal conflict, sibling rivalry, pubertal awakening and adult sexuality (….
• Pornography Censorship Research Paper The censorship The censoring of erotica has a positive affect on the United States of America and is agood thing because erotica leads to offense, erotica has no positiveaffects on society, and baning erotica is non against theconstitution…..
• Censorship In America The Constitution of the United States of America contains the basic rights ofcitizens of this country. There is, perhaps, no right more controversial thanthe First Amendment in the Constitution, first introduced on December 15, 1791. The First ….
• Pornography, Hate Speech, and Censorship Is a government justified in limiting the access of consenting adults to pornographic materials? Censorship laws seek to limit access to pornographic materials but preventing their distribution, sale, or exhibition. Censorship laws can also prohibit ….
• Censorship definition Robert Peters singled out as being consistently and always violent in his article “Censorship Of Violence in Popular Entertainment is Justified”. In this article, there is one large factor missing, evidence supporting his claim that there is too ….
• Internet Censorship Since the debut of the World Wide Web in 1989 by Tim Burners-Lee, many different arguments have arisen over assorted facets of the Internet. That is expected since there are so many different types of information available on the Web runing from ….
• Censorship in the 21st Century Is It Necessary? Censorship in the 21st Century is it Necessary? Today, censorship is one of the major controversial issues that surround the world, but it seems to be a greater problem in the United States than in other countries, concerning Freedom of Speech. ….
• Censorship in the Classrooms Sex. Politics. Religion. The big three: a work of literature is often considered controversial because of its statement about or use of these topics. What makes these and other areas so touchy in the classroom? Why do some parents and concerned ….
• Censorship and Internet Censorship and the InternetThe Internet is the fastest growing and largest tool for mass communication and information distribution in the world. People use the Internet for communication, expressing their opinions, or obtaining unlimited ….
• Internet Censorship Research Paper There is a turning argument about baning the cyberspace. Some people think that the cyberspace is protected under the first ammendment and can non be censored. Others think that some of the stuff that is on the net demands to be filtered and ….
• Internet Censorship History The Internet offers a much greater potential for interactive communication between information senders and receivers than the more traditional methods of communication such as newspaper, radio and television. Freedom of speech ascertained by the ….
• Censorship in Gilead and Oceania The governments of Gilead and Oceania make use of censorship in order to achieve total control over the societies, by limiting the power of language, using deception, and denying the privilege of owning objects from the past. In doing so, the ….
• Government Censorship of Media “The government’s power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the government…. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of the government and inform the people. ” —? U. S. Supreme ….
• Internet Censorship and Goverment Thesis: Government Censorship would damage the atmosphere of the freedom to express ideas on the Internet; therefore, government should not encourage censorship. IntroductionI. In the Internet community, there is a large volume of technical terms. ….
• Essay – Internet Censorship Society has always struggled to protect the public from the inappropriate acts of a few people, who impose lower standards of morality on an involuntary basis to the general public. Society has monitored and set controls on mass media such as radio, ….
• The Censorship of Art Things are heating up in America. People are protesting outside of the movie theaters, concerts, and book and record stores of this great nation everywhere. What is all the fuss about? Censorship, Government officials and raving mad protesters alike ….
• Censorship in the Classroom Censorship in the classroom is a very controversial topic and always remains a central issue when discussing the parameters of education. Our government plays a large role in governing what sort of information America’s children are exposed to ….
• Negative Impacts of Censorship and Materialism “To say that humans are social creatures is about as newsworthy as saying that we breathe. Our lives unfold in a social matrix that is both deep and wide, and our interactions with other people and the culture at large affect our personalities and ….
• Censorship and Obscenity – Explanation CensorshipThe freedom to read is essential to the democratic way of life. But today, thatfreedom is under attack. Private groups and public authorities everywhere areworking to remove both books and periodicals from sale, to exclude certain ….

✍ Good Essay Topics About Censorship

• Censorship Impacts on Civil Liberties Research
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• Censorship in Art: My Opinion
• Censorship in China: History and Controlling Term
• Censorship in Education
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• Censorship of Social Networking Sites in Developing Countries Exploratory
• Censorship on Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• Censorship on the Internet Coursework
• Censorship on the Internet Necessary
• Censorship or Freedom Of Speech
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Censorship - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Censorship, the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc., deemed obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security, has been a contentious issue across different cultures and political systems. Essays on censorship could explore its historical occurrences, the ethical and political dilemmas surrounding it, and its impact on freedom of expression, creativity, and societal progress. Discussions might also cover the mechanisms of censorship, the rationale provided by authorities for its implementation, and the various forms of resistance against censorship. Furthermore, analyzing the implications of censorship on the digital realm, the global disparities in censorship practices, and the ongoing discourse on censorship in a rapidly evolving information landscape can provide a nuanced understanding of this complex issue. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Censorship you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Freedom of Speech and Censorship

The government needs to also look at the First amendment that gives Americans the freedom of speech. Although freedom of speech gave the Americans an opportunity to express themselves, it came with some disadvantages. Some individuals used this freedom to propagate hatred especially racism. Individuals who had something against the blacks would use the freedom of expression clause to protect themselves before making hateful remarks. They would propagate hate between the African Americans and the whites. Some leaders were known […]

Examples of Censorship in Fahrenheit 451

The book "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury is about a firefighter named Guy Montag. Guy Montag does the opposite of what a firefighters does. He starts fires instead of putting them out. Books in Montag's society are banned and if you are caught with a book it will be burned then you have to suffer a consequence. Instead of reading books their society spends most of their time watching television that is as big as the wall called the parlor […]

Fahrenheit 451: Guy Montag

Who is Guy Montag and What Do We Know About Him? At the beginning of the story, Montag starts as the protagonist, with a mind and actions of a child. He has no knowledge of the outside world and is basically mentally stupid. There are current scenes in the book where he is shown retarded by a strange girl Clarisse McClellan that opens his mind to another world of knowledge and books. He realizes something or a feeling he never […]

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What is the Role of Censorship in Fahrenheit 451?

The bombs fell, the city burned, the government has not succeeded. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, introduces many themes that shape reality throughout the book. The author uses events to show the reason why things are happening like they are happening and how society is dying to do to technology due to the people. A society driven by the values of censorship and conformity will fail by the people. Government Censorship in Fahrenheit 451 Censorship is one of the most […]

Censorship in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In a world where speeches, comments, books, and posts are made about everything from illegal to offensive acts, it is difficult for the public to imagine society being censored. The society in Fahrenheit 451 is the opposite of this. The totalitarian government blocked virtually every form of creative and free speech. Ray Bradbury showed the theme of censorship throughout the story by including the government banning books and banning most freedoms. The Government in Fahrenheit 451 The government in Fahrenheit […]

Negative Side-Effects of Free Speech

Since the beginning of our country, one of our founding principles has been the right to express yourself through speech, media, or any other means of communication. For a long time those that founded our country were under the control of the British, and the lack of freedom to do and say what was on your mind was very constrained. With the American Revolution, we fought for the right to convey our beliefs without fear of another governing force taking […]

Issue of Regulation or Censorship of Internet Porn

The internet traffic for pornography has been reported to take up to 30% of the internet bandwidth (Kleinman Par. 1). This means that a lot of people are watching porn, which has even further divided the debate over the censorship of internet porn. The debate of internet pornography is a fascinating one considering moral or ethical and legal issues surrounding it. At the heart of the debate is the issue of regulation or censorship that has divided opinion into two […]

Internet Censorship should it be Allowed

One of the latest media inventions is internet. It has introduced a completely new way of communicating and expressing ideas and views on a great range of topics because it offers a lot of updated information, people prefer to deal with internet instead of any other media such as television or radio. Nowadays billions of people all over the world have access to the internet, simply, through a dial-up connection. In addition, everybody is able to create his/her homepage on […]

Freedom of Speech in the United States

Freedom of speech has been protected in The United States by the First Amendment since 1791. For over 100 years, this right, though symbolically important, has sat dormant. However today, freedom of speech has been in the headlines due to its involvement in controversial topics surrounding the media, political correctness, and “hate speech”. Hateful beliefs and intolerance towards those with different characteristics exist throughout society and results in an environment of hate. Americans now have a hard choice to make […]

Art Censorship

A beautiful art "The birth of venus" that was created by William Adolphe Bouguereau in 1879 was censored within all of his hard work. Some people don't understand that art is meant to create a reaction and what is offensive to one person might not be offensive to another. In many country creativity has been very valuable but many people couldn't see it in the same perspective as we did. Many people know creativity came from hard work and try […]

The Censorship of to Kill a Mockingbird

There are a few select authors who have challenged the delusional comfort society has created. Harper Lee, the author of To Kill A Mockingbird, is no exception. The book discusses the story of Scout, a little girl growing up in Maycomb, Alabama. Her father is an attorney for a black man being wrongly accused of raping a white woman (“SparkNotes: To Kill a Mockingbird.”). Due to the discussion of racism and rape, many think that this book should be pulled […]

Harry Potter Controversy about Banning the Books

This reflection paper begins by investigating censorship as related to challenged and banned books. It explores why Harry Potter has remained at the top of the American Library Association (ALA) Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009 for a decade connecting with church vs. state relations. Cases are reviewed that involve Harry Potter, school districts, and the First Amendment. It was found most challenges to the Harry Potter series involved concern over witchcraft, wizardry, and magic. The Harry Potter series was also […]

How Censorship Affect the Development of Animations

"The Motion Picture Production code" (Will H. Hays, 1924), most American films published by major studios used such code between 1930 and 1968. It also known as the "Hays Code" These set of industry moral guidelines and rules called "The Don'ts and Be Carefuls" was entered into industry by Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDAA) which created to avoid direct government censorship and to satisfy public demand for morally acceptable movies in 1930. The acceptance of content for […]

Censorship in Media

The worst thing about censorship is violating individuals' freedom of speech. The internet should be a free market with unrestricted ideas. Currently, the only exception constitutionally in the US is speech directed to inciting imminent lawless action, which is likely to incite or produce such action. Our laws should stay that way. Censorship is bad because it suppresses people's voices. Currently, the only exception constitutionally in the US is the use of words with the specific intent of provoking an […]

Internet Censorship in China

An original supporter of internet censorship was Deng Xiaoping, a Chinese politician. Deng Xiaoping had a famous saying that "If you open a window for fresh air for longer than 10 hours, you have to expect some flies to blow in". Deng Xiaoping, as well as many other Chinese politicians, were the main reason internet censorship exists today. Using this analogy, the Communist Party of China decided that it would be best for them to be proactive in "swatting flies". […]

Censorship in a Nation

Censorship has always been and will continue to a part of society. Censorship is defined as the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, speech, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. The term censorship, however, when most commonly used, connotes any examination of thought or expression in order to prevent publication of what is seen as 'objectionable' material. Day to day, what we see, observe, and hear, is censored by our […]

Literary Analysis of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 is a novel by Ray Bradbury. The novel is set in a American city in the future. In this society people no longer read books, think independently, spend time by themselves, enjoy nature, or even have meaningful conversations. They now watch excessive amounts of television, drive extremely too fast, and listen to the radio on “Seashell Radios” (sets are attached to their ear) at all time. They have become shells of people. Not only are people just shells, […]

Internet Censorship Laws in Saudi Arabia

"The thought of not being able to express oneself through the internet without repercussions might seem implausible; however, it is an ongoing problem in countries like Saudi Arabia. Currently, Saudi Arabia holds a score of 73 out of 100 for its Internet Freedom Score, which sets it as “not free” (“Saudi Arabia Internet Score”). Citizens are prohibited from visiting and accessing many parts of the web due to governmental restrictions based on immoral and “radically” opinionated content. This limits their […]

Catcher in the Rye Censorship

Catcher in the Rye may not seem like an age appropriate book for teenagers to be reading during such a confusing time, you cannot judge a book based on the cover or what others may deem as inappropriate. For many many years, this novel has been challenged and even banned in some schools because of the language used in the book. Looking past the expletives used or the content that is in it is beside the point because there can […]

Music Censorship

“Without music, content life would be a mistake.” These are the exact words of Friedrich Nietzsche that inspires me, ladies and gentlemen. What is the use of a society without music? Music is vital in our social existence since it is a tool of expression and interaction in society. Censoring music is a spell of doom and an insult to a quest for the realization of perfect social order. Music is life, and no one can dispute that. I come […]

Modern Day Censorship: Syria

How much do we value our freedom of speech as citizens of the United States of America? Would you risk your life to report news that might make an impact in the lives of many? Many countries around the world maintain very strict guidelines in what can be reported and broadcasted. In many countries this amount of strict censorship could even lead to you getting either tortured or killed. One modern day censored country would be the Middle Eastern country […]

First Amendment Freedom of Speech

The 2017 Berkeley protests organized by different groups including By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) were an abject violation of the freedom of speech as outlined in the First Amendment of the American constitution. The protests successfully stopped a speech by Milo Yiannopoulos, a controversial Breitbart editor and a self-declared Trump supporter. The protests turned violent and led to the destruction of the property thus posing significant harm to the society. In defending the protests, Yvette Felarca, BAMN’s spokesperson argued that […]

Defining Censorship

Censorship is the restriction of speech, communication or other information. Censorship affects our society in different ways. Censorship is usually determined by the government or a private foundation. It influences the music we tune in to, news articles, films, and the books we read. Censorship is a widely debated topic, and can be either harmful or protective to a society. It is possible to argue that censorship has no place in a nation that focuses on freedom of expression, because […]

The History of Censorship

Oxford University Press(2018)"The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security is considered censorship."Censorship has been around since 213 B.C. for example when Minister Li Si and Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China ordered the destruction of many history books. He wanted the people that come after him to believe that the world started with his first ruling. The struggle for freedom of opinion is about […]

The Catcher in the Rye: Censorship

To start off, the Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger, is about a boy named Holden Caulfield, who begins the book at a school named Pencey Prep School, in Pennsylvania. At the books beginning, the school is several days away from Christmas break, where Holden will be returning home to Manhattan, where his parents live, because he has been expelled out of the prep school due to the failing of four out of his five classes. To end […]

The Benefits of Censorship on the Chinese Wanghong

The wanghong are internet celebrities in China, and they differ from traditional celebrities, who gain their fame through mainstream media, such as television and movies (Roxburgh). The word wanghong translates directly into "internet celebrity." There are mainly two types of internet celebrities: celebrities who produce original content, such as short comedy videos, and celebrities who are centered around content involving beauty and fashion (Li). The relationship between the wanghong and strict censorship is a complex one. There are looser censorship […]

Hatred under the Freedom of Speech

There is a thin line between an open expression of plain hatred and the expression of opinion. It is safe to assume that every person at some point of his or her life, either witnessed or experienced a bias from bigots based on race, nationality, sex, or other characteristics. People interpret “hate speech” differently; some compare it to the crime; others see it as practicing the First Amendment. Both groups can bring a lot of arguments to support their point […]

Book Censorship

The banning or censorship of books in America is a very controversial topic. "A banned book is one that has been removed from the shelves of a library, bookstore, or classroom because of its controversial content" (Lombardi). Various controversial topics could lead to a book being banned. Some of these topics include language, diversity, and religion. Many books aimed at younger audiences and removed from classrooms have subject matter that "your kid has encountered before or will soon" (McMahon). Young […]

The Undercurrents of Video Censorship: Grappling with Banned Content

In the age of technology, where information dissemination is at the tip of one's fingers, the phenomenon of video censorship becomes a fascinating and often controversial subject. Banning videos is as old as the medium itself. As soon as humans learned how to record and broadcast images, authorities sought to control what could be shown, out of concerns ranging from preserving public morality to avoiding potential political unrest. But what really lies beneath the surface of video bans? What prompts […]

A Comparison between China and Hong Kong during the 2000s:

Abstract This paper claims that, for cultural reason, Chinese television has maintained its ways to function as a mass communication medium throughout years; accordingly, Hong Kong TV and society are influenced by China’s use of technology to some degree even though the city is run under “One Country, Two Systems.” After investigation, I found the claim is accurate if considering the approach of how TV presents information (especially political news) in both societies. Hong Kong and mainland Chinese society has […]

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Censorship Essay Topics

• Essay Topics

Censorship Research Questions

• Empirical Likelihood Semiparametric Regression Analysis Constrained by Random Censorship
• An Argument Against Internet Censorship in America
• Radio Censorship and Lack of Freedom in the United States of America
• Censorship as the Control of What People May Hear or Say, Read or Write, Do or See
• An Analysis and Overview of Explicit Lyrics and Censorship in the United States of America
• Censorship and the First Amendment in the United States
• Censorship and the Media: Advertiser Influence on the Media
• Censorship on the Internet and Freedom of Speech
• Censorship Needed for Proper Education of Guardian
• An Argument for Television Censorship Based on Content, Time Slot, and Audience
• Censorship of Music and the Impact of Listening to Music with Violent and Objectionable Lyrics
• Internet Censorship: An Examination of a Controversial Issue
• Consistent Estimation Under Random Censorship In the Presence of Co-variables
• Music Censorship Is a Constitutional and Human Rights Violation
• The Government Should Not Impose Censorship

Easy Censorship Essay Topics

• Censorship of the Internet and Its Role in Protecting Our Society’s Adolescent
• Against Internet Censorship, Including Pornography
• The Concept of Censorship on College Campuses Regarding Sexism and Racism
• Government Cyber-Frontier and Internet Censorship
• Censorship Issues in the United States: Innovative Solutions
• Asymptotically Efficient Estimation Using Semi-Parametric Random Censorship Models
• Censorship Regimes: Tactics in China and Russia
• Censorship Principles: An Overview of Right and Wrong
• An Argument Against School-Based Literature Censorship Due to Racism in Literary Works
• Censorship in the United States: Its History, Positive and Negative Impacts
• Censorship and Burlesque Show Analysis

Controversial Censorship Topics to Write About

• The Importance of Internet Free Speech and Censorship
• The Libertarian Party’s History and Its Positions on the Role of Government, Censorship, and Gun Control
• Communications Decency Act and the Internet Censorship
• Monitoring Children’s Surfing Habits Is a Better Option for Censoring the Internet
• The History of Censorship in Modern and Ancient Civilizations
• Censorship, Supervision, and Control of Ideas and Information
• The Three Basic Social Institutions and the Importance of Television Censorship
• An Argument for the Use of Censorship in Order to Preserve Morals and Decency
• Is Internet Censorship and De-Anonymization a Threat to Our Liberty?
• Parental Control or Censorship?

Research Questions about Censorship

• What Do Raleigh’s Letter Home and the Censorship Problem Tell You About Raleigh?
• Can Censorship Limit Your Freedom?
• How Darwin Shaped Our Understanding of the Importance of Language?
• Censorship: How Does It Affect the Relationship with His Wife?
• How and Why Does Censorship Lead to Lack of Knowledge in Young People?
• What Is the Effect of Censorship on Kids?
• Media Censorship: How Does It Violate Freedom of Expression and Affect Businesses?
• Responsibility and Censorship: Which Is the Lesser of Two?
• How Can Censorship Prevent Progress?
• How Is Music Censorship Related to the Individual?
• How Does the Media Pretend to Protect Us Using Censorship?
• What Is the Effect of Censorship on Our Daily Lives?
• Is There An Internet Censorship Against Human Rights in China?
• Movies Censorship: Can Ratings for Censored Movies Be Socially Justified?
• Public Libraries and Censorship: Should Public Libraries Filter Internet Sites?
• Does Parental Censorship Increase Children’s Curiosity?
• What Are the Arguments for and Against Pornography Censorship?
• How Were Propaganda and Censorship Used in the United Kingdom and Germany During WWI?
• Should China’s Government Ban internet censorship?
• In 1928, How Did Virginia Woolf’s Orlando Subvert Censorship and Revolutionize the Politics of LGBT Love?
• Cooptation, Censorship, Propaganda, and Repression: How Do Modern Dictators Survive?

Censorship Topics for Research Paper

• What Were the Arguments For and Against Censorship in Video Nasties?
• How Does Media Censorship Affect Business Freedom of Expression and Impact Businesses?
• Why Does News Ownership Affect Press Freedom and Censorship?
• Should Censorship Interviews Chain Music?
• Why Should Graffiti Be Accepted as a Form of Art?
• What Is the Relationship Between Censorship and Book Bans?
• How Does the Congress Define Censorship and Censor?
• How Does Censorship Affect Animation Development?
• Why Should They Allow Internet Censorship?

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Essay on Censorship Of Art And Artists

Students are often asked to write an essay on Censorship Of Art And Artists in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Censorship Of Art And Artists

What is censorship.

Censorship is when someone in power controls what artists can show or say in their work. It’s like when parents block certain TV channels from children. This can happen with paintings, books, music, and movies.

Why Censor Art?

Some people censor art because they think it’s not good for everyone. They might find it offensive or harmful. They want to protect society’s values and keep peace.

Effects on Artists

When art is censored, artists can feel silenced. They can’t share their full thoughts and feelings. This can make them sad or angry because they can’t express themselves.

Some say censorship is needed to keep people safe. Others argue that it stops free speech. This debate is about finding a balance between safety and freedom.

250 Words Essay on Censorship Of Art And Artists

Censorship is when someone in power controls what can be seen, heard, or read. This often happens with art and artists. People in charge might block or change parts of a song, a painting, a book, or a movie because they think it’s not suitable for others.

Sometimes, leaders believe that certain ideas or images are harmful or offensive. They might think that these could upset people or go against important values. So, they decide to censor these to protect society. But, this can stop artists from sharing their thoughts and feelings through their work.

When art is censored, artists can feel like they are not allowed to express themselves. This can make them scared to create new things. They might worry that their work will be changed or that they might get in trouble for what they make.

Art as Expression

Art is a way for people to share their ideas and tell stories about their lives. When we censor art, we lose the chance to learn about different views and experiences. This can make our world less colorful and interesting.

Censorship of art and artists is a tricky subject. It’s about finding a balance between keeping people safe and letting artists be free to express themselves. It’s important to talk about this and understand why it happens. Only then can we make sure that art stays alive and keeps helping us see the world in new ways.

500 Words Essay on Censorship Of Art And Artists

Censorship is when someone in power controls what can be seen, said, or heard by others. In the world of art, this means that certain pictures, songs, movies, or books might be changed or kept away from the public. People in charge might do this because they believe the art is not suitable for everyone, maybe because it shows something scary, uses bad language, or talks about sensitive topics.

There are a few reasons why art might be censored. Sometimes, it’s to protect young people from seeing things that are not right for their age. Other times, it’s because the art might offend or upset certain groups of people. Also, in some places, the government wants to make sure that only ideas they agree with are shared with the people.

When art is censored, the artists who make it can feel sad or angry. They want to share their thoughts and feelings through their art, and when they’re not allowed to, it can be very frustrating. It can also stop them from making a living if they can’t sell their art. Sometimes, it can even be dangerous for artists if their work upsets those in power.

Art as a Way of Sharing Ideas

Art is a powerful way to share ideas. A painting, a song, or a story can make people think about things in a new way. It can help people understand each other better and can even change how they see the world. When art is censored, it stops these ideas from spreading and can keep people from learning and growing.

What Happens When Art is Free?

When there’s no censorship, artists can create freely. This can lead to a lot of different kinds of art, some of which might be amazing and some of which might not be liked by everyone. But even if not all art is liked, the freedom to make it is important. It lets artists explore new ideas and share them with the world.

Is Censorship Ever Okay?

This is a tough question. Some people think that a little bit of censorship is okay to protect certain groups of people, like children. Others believe that all art should be free, no matter what. There’s no easy answer, and different countries and cultures have different rules about what’s okay and what’s not.

Censorship of art and artists is a topic that can cause a lot of debates. On one side, it’s about keeping people safe from things that might harm them. On the other side, it’s about freedom and the right to express oneself. Finding a balance between these two sides is not simple, and it’s something that societies have been trying to figure out for a very long time. It’s important for everyone, including students, to think about these issues and decide what they believe is right.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Censorship In Social Media
• Essay on Cellphone Usage While Driving
• Essay on Cell

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There Is No TikTok in China, but There Is Douyin. Here’s What It Is.

ByteDance owns both TikTok and Douyin, and although TikTok has more users around the world, Douyin is the company’s cash cow and a China mainstay.

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By Claire Fu and Daisuke Wakabayashi

Reporting from Seoul

In China, there is no TikTok. There is only Douyin.

After President Biden signed a bill on Wednesday forcing Chinese company ByteDance to sell its ownership of TikTok, the United States moved one step closer to an internet without the short video app. The legislation opened the door to a possible ban of the social media platform if TikTok fails to find a U.S. government-approved buyer within a year.

Douyin is also owned by ByteDance . It is a staple of the Chinese internet the way TikTok is in the rest of the world. But because it has no presence outside China, Douyin, which means a “shaking sound” in Chinese, is not as well known globally.

But Douyin is critical to ByteDance’s finances. Its continued success will be a significant factor in how the parent company assesses what it plans to do with TikTok. Will ByteDance succumb to political demands from Washington, or will it refuse to sell TikTok and face the consequences?

Here is an overview of Douyin.

What is Douyin?

Douyin is the most popular short-video app in China, and it is one of the most visited social media platforms in the country. As on TikTok, the videos on Douyin appear in a vertical format and users swipe up to get to the next offering. There are other similarities to TikTok. The Douyin algorithm learns your interests from how you interact with the videos you are shown and feeds you an endless stream of content.

Douyin debuted in September 2016 in China, a year before ByteDance introduced TikTok for overseas markets. Initially, Douyin focused on China’s big cities where young smartphone users were early adopters of new social media. Douyin reached more than 700 million active monthly users in May, meaning it was being used by a majority of China’s internet users, according to QuestMobile, a Chinese data firm.

TikTok has more users on its platform, but Douyin is ByteDance’s cash cow. Roughly 80 percent of ByteDance’s $54 billion revenue in the first half of last year came from China, derived mainly from Douyin, according to The Information , a technology news site. The remaining 20 percent came from overseas markets mainly through TikTok.

How does Douyin make money?

Douyin is a thriving business in China. The biggest chunk of its profit comes from distributing online advertising alongside its library of video content. The research firm eMarketer estimated that Douyin took in $21 billion in advertising revenue in 2023, or about two-thirds of Alphabet’s ad revenue from YouTube.

But it might have even more potential. In China, almost all social media apps have shopping components, and Douyin is no exception. Douyin has opened its own online shopping mall inside the app where vendors sell clothes, electronics, groceries, brand-name goods and discount products. Every transaction generates a commission or service fee for Douyin.

One popular form of commerce is live video streams by influencers who peddle items to audiences — imagine Home Shopping Network meets a daily video blog. The transaction value of shopping conducted through livestreams on Douyin exceeded $200 billion in 2022, according to Statista, a data and business intelligence company in Germany.

E-commerce in China is growing fast, too. Douyin is already the country’s fourth-largest online retailer behind Alibaba, JD.com and Pinduoduo , and it is growing much faster than those more established companies, according to eMarketer. Douyin’s online commerce sales grew an estimated 60 percent in 2023, eMarketer said.

To try to cash in on its traffic, Douyin announced an app called Douyin Mall last month for Android users in mainland China. The app is not in Apple’s App Store.

How is Douyin different from TikTok?

TikTok is available in more than 150 countries and regions in 75 languages, while Douyin can be used only in China. The two apps have many similar features, but they remain separate services. TikTok users can search for accounts all over the world, but they cannot gain access to Douyin accounts in China — and vice versa.

TikTok’s audience tends to be young, but Douyin has a much older user base in China. In fact, it is the most widely used and preferred app among Chinese people over 50 years old, according to a report released by QuestMobile, a research firm. Douyin introduced measures to prevent addiction for seniors, including voice reminders or forced interruptions to people who have been watching for too long.

Douyin has become a crucial platform for the Chinese authorities to disseminate information and propaganda. In 2018 , Douyin teamed up with 11 government departments and media organizations to help improve content production to make their videos more effective at carrying their messages.

A senior official in The PLA Daily, the newspaper of China’s military, once wrote in an essay that there was an urgent need for military media to join Douyin because the platform had become “a new space and a new position for ideological competition between us and the enemies.”

Like other social media services in China, Douyin follows the censorship rules of the Chinese Communist Party. It conscientiously removes video pertaining to topics deemed sensitive or inflammatory by the party, although it has proved a little harder than text-based social media to control.

Among the things that have been restricted or removed so far this year are accounts of economists who spoke negatively about China’s economy , as well as short dramas about the conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. The latter seemed to portray interfamily relations in a dramatically negative way.

Claire Fu covers China with a focus on business and social issues in the country. She is based in Seoul. More about Claire Fu

Daisuke Wakabayashi is an Asia business correspondent for The Times based in Seoul, covering economic, corporate and geopolitical stories from the region. More about Daisuke Wakabayashi