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Censorship is the act or practice of suppressing the speech or public communication which is considered objectionable, harmful and sensitive, by a government, media outlet or other controlling bodies. This public content is censored for many reasons that the active bodies believe are immoral. Some reasons include: controlling obscenities, pornography, hate speeches, protecting young children, to promote or restrict political or religious views or even to protect the national security of a country.

Types of Censorship:

Almost everything at some point could be placed underneath a category of censorship. Depending on where people[E1] are located and who or what is going on in your nation or even community, your public media on the television, Internet, radio, music, movies and books could be censored. There are dozens of different forms of censorship implemented everyday, including all the following:

Moral Censorship- the removal of materials that is considered obscene or morally unacceptable. For example, pornography is usually censored from the public and even prosecuted if it involves young minors.

Political Censorship- This is a form of censorship by the government that occurs when information is [E2]withhold from their citizens[E3], mostly used to prevent hateful expressions.

Book Censorship- The censorship of novels is either implicated nationally or by state[E4]. So, if a community finds a book to be inappropriate, they can have the book removed from public and school libraries. Such books include The Harry Potter series, Animal Farm, the Goosebumps series, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and To Kill A Mockingbird[E5].

Films- All movies released for public viewing in theaters are censored in some way or another. The usual censored items include pornography and obscenities, up to a certain age. Other movies are censored due to racial or political correctness.

Music- Moral authorities are determined to find what behavior is acceptable for individuals in todays society. Most cases of musical censorship involve lyrics which deal with drugs, violence and sexual topics.

Internet- The extent of Internet censorship varies from country to country. Many countries, like the Untied States have little to no Internet censorship, while others limit basic new information from their citizens. Many times the Internet[E6] in these countries will be censored after elections, protests and riots.

Effects of Censorship

Many people agree that some things need to be censored. While others are outraged at the thought of any individuals work being censored. Many times things that are being viewed or heard by larger masses of people should be censored for the sole fact that you do not know who is in that group of people.

I think it is fine to censor T.V. because it is something that all the public can use, including kids, and parents cant always control what shows come up, grade Kalie Jurries said.

Exposing underage children to inappropriate and vulgar content can have negative effects on a child. Adults have a much easier time choosing what to watch, and are able to work around inappropriate work.

I filter[E7] by choosing not to watch television at certain times or certain channels, librarian Joanne Willis said.

Their ways of thinking and understanding are not always able to understand adult content.

While many believe television should be censored, many feel the complete opposite about the Internet and printable material like books.

No, I do not think the Internet should be censored. If[E8] people cant handle the content of the Internet[E9], maybe they should not be on it. Everyone on the Internet should be old enough to deal with those things, Jurries said.

The Internet is a very useful tool in todays society, and just like any other great tools in life, there will be people who abuse it.

Access at certain age levels or times should be controlled. Example[E10]: access to sexually explicit internet materials should not be allowed at the high school level or in an office environment where it would/could be offensive to coworkers, said Willis.

Pros and Cons of Censorship

Censorship is all about perspective. Whether you are the over the top strict parent or the care free, young kid who wants to know everyone. Censorship will always be a heated debate, both sides have their pros and cons. Religious conflicts often times can be avoided by the censorship of certain material that people deem insulting or offensive. Censorship can be used to prevent politically motivated propaganda. Plagiarism can be prevented. It prevents companies from spreading inaccurate or exaggerated claims about their products or other companies.

Freedom of speech is compromised. Media giants can push their agendas under the censorship. it hinders upon the freedom of the press. It shelters people from things that they need to know about. Censorship in books, plays, and movies may effect the overall feeling and meaning of the writing.

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Censorship does both harm, good - waterloo.k12.ia.us