What is Censorship?

 Censorship

The term ‘censorship’ is used frequently within today’s society as it blocks/limits something from being seen, heard or read such as books, films or news. There is a variety of reasons why parts of these may be prohibited as it may be considered unacceptable, sensitive or a threat.

BBFC and PEGI Age Ratings. Examples of today's Censorship in Film and Gaming

Additionally, it is used highly in the world of Media in different areas such as print media, broadcast media and also the internet. For example, on British TV news programmes, interviews which were previously recorded at a location such as Tottenham during the London Riots 2011 may be edited or cut out as the event was violent and dangerous; citizens of London burnt down vehicles, looted stores and attacked each other for looted items. By cutting out these prohibited parts of the news it makes the news story more suitable for the public to view and enables all ages to watch the news knowing the most dangerous parts are cut out, this is beneficial as it still gives the public the most significant parts of a news story.  


 
 

However, a con of the use of Censorship is that it can sometimes be used in a negative way without the public knowing. For example, during the London Riots 2011, the main culprit named Mark Duggan was publically victimised by the media as an image of him was edited and broadcasted on TV news and social media. By the image being edited and cropped, it adds/gives the public the intention that Mark was a man who had a negative personality through the way he is presented in the picture when actually, the story the picture originally tells is him holding a stone embracing someone’s life.

 In the media, Censorship is runned by the government as they are the ones who approve if a news channel/programme is suitable to be broadcasted to the nation. Media Producers also play a part as they edit, crop and cut out the less significant, potentially harmful/sensitive parts of the media so it can be appropriately broadcasted and presented.

Censorship is also used in today’s music and music videos. As the music world grows and adapts, genres such as Hip-Hop, R&B and Rap contain artists who make song lyrics which are becoming more explicit in comparison to the past. For example this may be seen in albums that are produced by artists/their producers.

 

This logo indicates that the content that is produced by the artist(s) may be harmful or sensitive to the listen and that the listener should be cautious.

This Album Cover by Wiz Khalifa Shows the 'Parental Advisory Explicit Content' Logo

On the online video sharing site ‘YouTube’ music videos are also uploaded by artists such as Nicki Minaj. This screenshot shows that not only is there a clean version of an explicit song, the public have the option of viewing which one they desire which is satisfying.

 What do I think about Censorship?

 Personally, I think the way Censorship is used today has improved and adapted to how it was used in the past because at the beginning of films and film trailers, confirmation is previewed which reassures the audience of what they can expect in the film.

Confirmation screens like this also give off additional information for the viewers near the two bottom right corners if they wish to seek.