Miscellaneous - Censorship

Censorship laws in the UK mean that virtually any media product which is published or broadcast can be inspected to ensure that it does not contain any material which is deemed "immoral", "blasphemous" or "obscene". If it is shown to contain such material, it can be suppressed. Reasons for censorship may be on the grounds of political security, sexual morals, religious or public taste, or "decency". Unfortunately, decency and morality are relative values. It appears that the so-called "moral majority" whose will is purportedly carried out by the censors is, more often than not, made up of those who have a position of power which would be threatened by that which is censored.

Censorship, both self regulated and enforced by the BBFC, the ITC, and whichever other bodies have relevant oars to stick in seems to be becoming more and more prevalent in film and television. 'Home and Away' is regularly censored by ITV for plot, and for individual scenes. Some things would appear to just be not suitable for a teatime audience, mostly scenes with sexual implications. 'The Simpsons' is censored by both the BBC and Sky for, most frequently, sexual suggestion, bad language and violence. Yes kids, Itchy and Scratchy, parodies of cartoon violence, are themselves censored. Sky have removed an entire episode from their showing of Series 9.

'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' has been censored. So have the Muppets. A film featuring the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers has been banned, in addition to existing censorship of both the series and the spin-off films for violence and various martial arts & weapons which are considered to be just too tempting for Little Johnny not to have a try at. A serious problem with the current state of film and television censorship is that censors approach everything they look at with the view that it is going to be watched by children. It is the assumption that we are not, collectively, responsible and well grounded enough not to be influenced by films which irritates us. A 1994 amendment to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, requires the BBFC to "have special regard ... to any harm that may be caused to potential viewers or, through their behaviour, to society by the manner in which the work deals with: criminal behaviour, illegal drugs, violent behaviour or incidents, horrific behaviour or incidents, or human sexual activity."

Next >>>

Home

---

These articles have been collected from various sources. If you are the copyright owner of any of them, contact us for either a credit and link to your site or removal of the article.