Brown Ajah's Banned Books Week: Is Censorship Always Bad?

[Ludmian]

The word "censorship" has mostly negative connotations for most people. But are there cases in which censorship might be necessary and/or beneficial?

 

Examples for case study will follow, but first let's listen to the opinions on the subject in general.

[Mystica]

personally I'm against any form of censorship. history has proven over and over again that hiding things from people doens't make it go away. In fact, it makes it all the more appealing as it is a forbidden fruit. So overall, yes, censorship is bad.

 

Now there's a difference between information and gossip/tabloid crap, but again these things are not overcome by hiding them. They are overcome by awareness, recognition and a consious decision to reject it for oneself. Not because someone else tells us to.

[Torrie]

I have mixed feelings.

 

I censor my children. I make sure that they do not see stuff that will negatively effect them. When they are older they will be allowed to see and experience more things, but for now, while they are young, I will try to protect them.

 

Now as an adult, I do not want to be censored. If I do not want to see/read something then I don't. I do not expect everyone else to follow what I believe is right for me. I expect everyone to give me the same benefit.

 

I can agree with censorship of child porn because that is protecting children. I can agree with some Military censorship if it will compromise a mission and possibly put solders lives at risk. But whatever info was censored should be released after the mission has taken place. Corp. censorship I do not agree with. If a company that is getting my money is doing something bad enough that they want to hide it, I want to know about it. I do not believe is religious censorship. We have free will for a reason.

 

 

So I guess it really depends on what kind of censorship.

[Ludmian]

And here is our first article for case study:

 

<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/aug/19/japanese-film-grotesque-censors">Sadistic Japanese movie Grotesque denied rating by film censors</a>

 

Would you give a certificate to a movie like this or do you think that everyone will be better off without seeing it?

[LilyElizabeth]

I honestly can't say what I think is best for the world in general. I know that I would have nightmares, and likely be seriously affected by a movie such as this, and avoid those kinds of things at all costs. My son, on the other hand, doesn't find movies entertaining without violence and tension and yelling and drama. Those things make me literally insane, and I must flee the room if around them for too long, or if they get too intense. (I'm not watching, by the way, just the noises affect me.) I would be a poor judge of what would be suitable for everyone, and what should or should not be allowed to be out there. If it were up to me, everything on TV would be calm and peaceful. (Boring to a lot of people, I'm sure.)

 

As for this particular movie, what possible benefit could there be to watching someone's eyes get gouged out? Anyone who finds that entertaining ... well, I don't know what to say. Just ewwwwww.

 

 

[Ludmian]

A quite different case of censorship:

 

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censored_Eleven">Censored Eleven</a>

 

Is it OK to deny people the right to see them or have people become overzealous trying to be "politically correct"?