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Censorship is not without its benefits
By Melson Chun
In recent weeks, there has been a spate of articles in the newspapers questioning the need for censorship in Singapore, with many arguing that censorship is arbitrary and too strict. There have also been calls for the government to abolish the system of censorship here, as it infringes on the rights of the individual to watch what he chooses. Indeed, censorship has come under intense scrutiny of the media, which still debate its merits today. However, there is no denying that censorship is not without its benefits. It serves two main purposes: to prevent the spread of decadent values and subversive ideas. People argue that censorship infringes on individual rights, but how far do individual rights extend? Are the benefits of censorship to one society enough to justify this breach of rights? Let us imagine what it would be like if there were no censorship. In such a scenario, people would get access to any publication or programme they choose. Of these publications and programmes, there will no doubt be many which are of interest and are beneficial to the individual, and would expose them to more of the world’s issues. However, the lack of censorship laws would also enable irresponsible members of the media to exploit the people’s desires in order to gain profits. For example, they would publish pornography, radical views and opinions, subversive materials and other stuff, which are definitely guaranteed an audience. Where would our morals go then? People argue that the people are smart enough to choose what they want to watch, and that they are intelligent enough to sieve out the truth from the lies, the educational from the junk, and as such, should be allowed to make their own choices. However, we must also note that not everybody is able to do this; not everybody is able to distinguish fact from fiction. With the lack of censorship, irresponsible people and parties seeking to undermine our country would have an avenue to propagate such subversive views and undesirable influences. And there will be those who would be misled by such views. For example, if someone were to publish an article that claims the Malays were being treated unfairly, or that the Chinese were holding too much power, imagine the racial unrest and chaos that would erupt because of the people, no matter how few, who choose to believe such articles. The communist-incited riots in the early days of our nationhood are an example of the influence such subversive ideas may have on the naïve people, especially among the younger generation. So, in a way, censorship helps social stability by filtering out subversive articles. Advocates of censorship also argue that it helps parents control what their children watch, and what moral values they glean from such programmes. Parents cannot be with their children every hour of the day. Imagine the time they would spend worrying about whether their children are sneaking off to watch pornographic programmes on television behind their backs and when they were at work. They would also worry about the access their children have to the violent or obscene materials at the newsstand, what morals and values such materials would impart to the children? Can you imagine that happening in Singapore? A child does not have the ability to distinguish right from wrong, and if he were to be surrounded by obscene or violent materials or programmes, he would easily be perverted by their influence. Can you imagine what kind of a person he would grow up to be? Recent studies have shown that there is a correlation between the increased television violence and the violence on the streets. All this serves to show how easily influenced children are, whether for the better or the worse. Censorship would prevent access to such materials, and parents can have an easier time without worrying about what values their children are picking up from the mass media. Censorship also affords us a safeguard from abuse of the mass media by unscrupulous parties seeking to further their gains. The mass media are a powerful tool. Its widespread influence can be harnessed for good or evil. For example, if one were to go on television and say that we should revolt, or something like that, and if only one-in-a-thousand people believed you, you would have gained over three thousand converts in Singapore. Such is the influence of mass media. Also, such is the danger if the mass media were manipulated by unscrupulous parties. Having censorship would be a safeguard against such things from happening, and provide us with some measure of protection from those who seek to stir up unrest in our country, and allow the government a firmer grip of the media. Then there is the question of security. If there were no censorship, and the mass media were allowed to circulate anything they like, there are bound to be those who, accidentally or purposely, circulate materials that threaten internal security or relations with another country. A case in point is the recent decision to ban English enterprises in Malaysia after some English publication accused the Malaysian Prime Minister of corruption and irresponsibility. Hence, irresponsible use of the mass media could have dire consequences on the political situation, and censorship prevents that from happening by preventing their circulation. Of course, there is the question of whose values are the standard, and what criteria we should base our censorship on, so that a compromise is reached between allowing access to useful materials and restricting undesirable materials, for there is no clear distinction between the two. As such, the responsibility falls upon the government to select censors and guidelines that would best serve the public. There are also worries about the government using the mass media to its own advantage, by making the newspapers print only news that shows their merits and not their bad points. There is an example of China and North Korea, where the media are basically nothing more than a channel for government propaganda. But in Singapore, although that may be the case, it is only in a small way, and, by and large, the newspapers are truthful enough. The little lies should be tolerated if the government truly believes it would be detrimental for us to know the truth. After all, the government is reliable. We elected them ourselves. As such, we ought to trust them enough to do things with out welfare in mind. The loss of personal freedom is not worth more than the social stability censorship brings. As to whether the government is being prudish in determining what is art and what is obscenity, it must be noted that there is no clear distinction between the two. So if there is to be a standard to judge between the two, it might as well be that of responsible, mature people. So our role is to see that only such people are working as censors, and so far, it has been pretty well-done. Hence, the censorship has its benefits, but only if used responsibly and remains above manipulation by parties seeking to further their own interests. If responsibly done, the benefits of censorship outweigh the disadvantages of forgoing some individual rights. Author is a person who have successfully combated acne. For more information, visit http://www.homeacneskincare.com on tips how you can banish acne forever too!
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Contributor's Note
Author is a person who have successfully combated acne. For more information, visit http://www.homeacneskincare.com on tips how you can banish acne forever too!
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