Censorship and the Effects on Media

Censorship is a concept that can be disputed into different arguments. It is a subjective and fiery topic that people usually think has an overall consensus. However, in today's day and age, media censorship has become more and more of a hot topic to meddle with and the first party to meddle with it is the government. The United States government has a certain amount of control over the censorship of television and the media. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) controls competition, broadband, and in relation to this paper: the media. This creates an issue because one would believe that freedom of speech allows everyone to broadcast whatever he or she wants. "The cornerstone of political freedom in the USA is the Constitution's First Amendment, which states '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 of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances'" (Panday 266).

Censorship has a bad connotation for many good reasons. It is an easy way out to get the wrong idea from people, to block out ideals that people would deem threatening. According Media in 21st century: Freedom & Censorship "Censorship started out as an accepted component of good government and was so regarded for over a thousand years before it was perceived differently. Even today, certain forms of what is called 'censorship' are more widely practiced and receive broader assent than its baleful reputation would seem to indicate" (Panday 2). Immediately after reading this passage, one begins to wonder exactly how the government views censorship and if it even has the right idea of what it ascertains. Therefore, how can we block and forbid channels from broadcasting whatever they believe is right for their programming when in actuality, there is a broad idea of what censorship even is?

Because of governmental censorship, many have distorted thoughts on many issues going on in today's day and age. To block certain mediums from being broadcasted and to regulate them is a form of massive control that could intervene with the thought processes of the people of this nation. An effective government wouldn't have to mold their ideals into their people rather the people should mold their ideals into their government: "... an effective government cannot rely primarily on force to gain obedience. Reliable legal orders require high levels of voluntary compliance to most of their laws, by most of the population, for most of the time" (Baker 130).

People mistaken censorship for the different cases that have happened throughout history that have been formed to be a "good job by the government." This, again, is a form of censorship and a molding of what the government wants the public to see. It's training