Post by geriatrix on Feb 23, 2016 14:47:34 GMT
Pro:
For the proponents of censorship, restricting the access of information is something that can provide benefits to society. By censoring pornography on the Internet, children are less likely to encounter it. By censoring certain types of images and videos, society can prevent offensive or vulgar material from offending those that it targets. For example, some would argue that society should censor material that is insulting to a particular religion in order to maintain societal harmony. In this way, censorship is viewed as a way to protect society as a whole or certain segments of society from material that is seen as offensive or damaging.
Some even argue that censorship is necessary to preserve national security. Without using any kind of censorship, they claim that it is impossible to maintain the secrecy of information necessary for protecting a nation's best interests. For this purpose, censorship protects a state's military or security secrets from its enemies, who can use that information against the state.
Con:
Those against censorship argue that the practice limits the freedoms of speech, press and expression; and that these limitations are ultimately a detriment to society. By preventing free access to information, it is argued that society is fostering ignorance in its citizens. Through this ignorance, citizens are more easily controlled by special interest groups and groups that are able to take power are able to use censorship to maintain themselves. Additionally, they argue that censorship limits a society's ability to advance in its understanding of the world.
Another main issue against censorship is a history of censorship abuse. Those that argue against censorship can point to a number of examples where dictators have used censorship to create flattering yet untrue images of themselves for the purpose of maintaining control over a society. They argue that people should control the government instead of the government controlling its people.
For the proponents of censorship, restricting the access of information is something that can provide benefits to society. By censoring pornography on the Internet, children are less likely to encounter it. By censoring certain types of images and videos, society can prevent offensive or vulgar material from offending those that it targets. For example, some would argue that society should censor material that is insulting to a particular religion in order to maintain societal harmony. In this way, censorship is viewed as a way to protect society as a whole or certain segments of society from material that is seen as offensive or damaging.
Some even argue that censorship is necessary to preserve national security. Without using any kind of censorship, they claim that it is impossible to maintain the secrecy of information necessary for protecting a nation's best interests. For this purpose, censorship protects a state's military or security secrets from its enemies, who can use that information against the state.
Con:
Those against censorship argue that the practice limits the freedoms of speech, press and expression; and that these limitations are ultimately a detriment to society. By preventing free access to information, it is argued that society is fostering ignorance in its citizens. Through this ignorance, citizens are more easily controlled by special interest groups and groups that are able to take power are able to use censorship to maintain themselves. Additionally, they argue that censorship limits a society's ability to advance in its understanding of the world.
Another main issue against censorship is a history of censorship abuse. Those that argue against censorship can point to a number of examples where dictators have used censorship to create flattering yet untrue images of themselves for the purpose of maintaining control over a society. They argue that people should control the government instead of the government controlling its people.
