Sunday, November 2, 2008
Lolita in Tehran Question 4
In pages 124-136 The Gatsby trial illustrates the thought process behind censoring in Iran. All of us censor media that we consider to be inappropriate, even if only on a personal level. How is our censoring process any different than the methods used in Iran? When, if ever, is censoring appropriate?
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2 comments:
My initial reaction is to say that censoring is okay as long as it is on a personal level and is not forced on anyone, but the more I think about that idea the more I disagree with it. I fully support limiting what media children can consume, for instance, and I also support the censoring of certain words and actions on TV and the radio (I hate it that the "b-word" has become commonplace on TV and the radio these days). I suppose those are both examples of forcing censoring on those people who might enjoy that sort of content. Maybe a better way to draw the line between appropriate and inappropriate censoring is to say that it is okay to censor content but not ideas. I think that many times there are tasteful ways to express ideas to a general audience without resulting to graphic content or dirty language, and maybe we cross the line when we start telling people what kinds of ideas they are allowed to express rather than how they are allowed to express them. I think one of the problems illustrated in the Gatsby trial was that some of the students were so careful to censor content that they started limiting the expression of ideas as well. There are obviously problems with that approach as well (it doesn’t take into account cultural differences, for instance), but I think I am getting closer. I am interested to hear how other people will answer this question.
I think censoring can be appropriate in certain cases, but I think people need to be aware of what has been removed and the reasons for it. I think this goes along with James' idea about content and not ideas. Though to some degree these two are intertwined and you can't remove one without removing some of the other. The more transparency and personal choice in the degree of censorship (at least for adults), then the more effective I think censorship can be.
For the most part, I don't think there should be censorship on a high level, but I would like to hear some examples of where I people think there should be censorship. I can't think of any good examples besides stuff for kids.
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