CENSORSHIP
Views about censorship are of two main kinds. Proponents of censorship take the view that the loss of freedom that censorship involves is a necessary evil because there is likely to be a far greater loss of freedom without censorship than with it. Opponents of censorship argue that censorship itself is a far greater threat to freedom, than any of the dangers it supposedly guards against.
Those who favour censorship base their arguments on the view that, if left to their own devices, human beings do not always act in the best interests of their fellow men and women. They need to be protected from themselves by governments in much the same way that parents need to protect their children
from the consequences of some of their natural instincts. To believe otherwise is seen as at best naive, at worst plain foolish.
Thus, without censorship, supporters of this view argue, it would be impossible for governments to prevent military secrets from reaching a country's enemies. Likewise, unless the government has some control over the media, irresponsible journalists or broadcasters would be free to create unrest by spreading false information. By the same token, it is argued that it is necessary to have laws against matters such as pornography in order to protect the rights of vulnerable groups within society, such as women.
Supporters of this general view believe that the threat to human rights would be much greater without the protection of censorship. The means are seen as justifying the end: it is better to sacrifice a small amount of freedom in the interests of ultimately creating much greater overall freedom. According to their views, there is really no such thing as freedom, merely uncontrolled opportunities for the more powerful and unscrupulous to exploit the weaker and law-abiding.
Opponents of censorship accept that human beings do not always act in the best interests of their fellow citizens. They differ from supporters of censorship, however, in terms of what they see as the remedy. According to their view, the best guarantee of human rights is a society with as few restrictions as possible, much as the role of parents can be seen as not just to control their children but to help them to grow up to be responsible adults. Thus the responsibility for regulating society is seen to belong primarily to the ordinary citizen rather than the government. This view acknowledges human weaknesses, but also recognizes the potential of humanity for self-regulation.
Thus, from this point of view, it is up to the individual citizen to take whatever action the law permits regarding matters such as unfair or inaccurate newspaper, television or media reporting. pornography, and so on. As a first line of defence, citizens have the choice of denying the offending material an audience, simply b\ switching off or refusing to buy. Beyond this, the argumer- runs. citizens can use the existing laws of the land
against obscenity, libel, slander and so on, without the need for an extra level of censorship-based legislation. It is also argued by supporters of this view that a responsible citizenry is the best defence against irresponsible behaviour by those set on attempting to exploit their fellow citizens.
Thus, while allowing that there may be times of national emergency, such as war, when censorship is justified, opponents of censorship would argue that it is in general unnecessary, and takes away from ordinary citizens a role that is rightfully theirs, and gives to government one that is inappropriate. Opponents of censorship also point out that its supporters are naive in their assumption that governments are always more benign than the forces they oppose. It is only too easy for the censorship to be exploited as a weapon of oppression by a ruthless government.
In conclusion, censorship can perhaps best be regarded as a mixed blessing. It has the potential to protect society from harmful influences, but, equally, it may act as a harmful influence itself. It may be impossible to say whether censorship is ever totally beneficial or not. Much will depend on the circumstances in which it operates. In a society, which is relatively immature and insecure, it may provide much-needed stability and protection. In other societies, however, it may act as a brake on liberties, or, worst of all, be used as an instrument of repression and terror.
PROS CONS
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
DISCUSSION STRATEGY Discussing the Pros and Cons of an Issue
When you consider the pros and cons of an issue, you are looking at the good or strong points (pros) and the bad or weak points (cons) of that issue. By considering both the pros and the cons of an issue, you are better able to understand and discuss it.
1. In smaller groups, discuss the arguments, giving your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with them. Note that what one person conciders a “pro” someone else may consider a “con”
2.In small groups, consider the problem of censorship. How has censorship affected different cultures around the world and your country? Does censorship have a positive or a negative affect on modern society?
3. Have one member of your group summarize the group’s discussion for the class and point out any conclusions you have reached.
Exercise 45
Give the English equivalents for the following Russian words
and phrases сторонники противники неизбежное зло
вызывать волнения, распространяя дезинформацию материалы оскорбительного свойства лишить кого-либо аудитории точно так же. таким же образом придерживаться точки зрения, полагать признавать, что
расходиться во мнении по поводу того, что считается панацеей
проявлять наивность, полагая неоднозначное явление, палка о двух концах
Exercise 46
a) The noun "press " derives the following verbs: to press to depress
to express to oppress
to suppress to impress
to repress to compress
Find out how some of them are used in the text and make up sentences of your own with the others.
b) Use the above verbs or their derivatives in the following word combinations:
to a newspaper
to exert__
a free _____
freedom of__
an instrument of
under__ from
__ of a revolt
to a report into a page
periods of deep
c) Fill in the gaps with the above verbs or their derivatives.
1. Compared with its fairly restricted range of activities earlier in the century, the state gives the______________________ of intervening in just about every corner of British life.
2. British nationalism — when it is sober and is not paraded
around football grounds — is healthy, an_ of
Britons' genuine affection for their country.
3. The Government is at the moment under no electoral
______: on the contrary," its lead in the opinion polls remains formidable.
4. Such exports would be banned if there was a risk that they
might be used for internal____ and the abuse of
human rights in that country.
5. Vulgar feminism consists in the idea of powerful men
______ helpless, innocent women.
6. During the Great______ many banks and businesses failed, and millions of people lost their jobs in the US and Europe.
___ air ___ measures to___ the population to___ one's lips to be___ for time to___ the truth to be favourably ___ desires the most results |
7. The editor tried hard to______ his anger and resentment but finally lost his temper.