Is media
censorship
necessary?
DONE BY:
CHENG TONG WEN (4P203)
ONG KIAN HAN (4P220)
SIM ZHAO XIANG (4P226)
ZAC LEE (4P231)
Coverage
Key definitions
Forms
Reasons
Who censors and what is censored?
Limitations
Importance
Consequences
Media censorship in Singapore against media
censorship in America
Key Definitions:
Media: means of communication ( such as radio,
television newspaper, magazines) that reach or
influence people widely
Censorship: The practice of officially examining
books, movies, etc., and suppressing
unacceptable parts.
Necessary: required to be done, achieved, or
present; essential
Forms
Political censorship
State secrets and prevention of attention
Educational sources
Political censorship
Government attempts to conceal, fake, distort, or
falsify information
By suppressing or crowding out political news
suppression of views contrary to those of the
government in power.
Done through power of the army and the secret
police
Through methods such as bribery, ruin of careers,
imprisonment, and even assassination.
State secrets and
prevention of attention
Preventing the release of information that might
be useful to an enemy
Involves keeping times or locations secret, or
delaying the release of information until it is of no
possible use to enemy forces.
Done to aid authorities or to protect an individual
Educational sources
Due to inappropriate quality of such material for
the young
Textbooks are "whitewashing" the individuals
Religion: block the teaching of evolution
Or blocking information that contradicts their
religious beliefs
Reasons
Ensure that the interests of children and family are
protected and religious beliefs are respected
An example is pornography censorship
Continuation of culture and customs
Security of the nation and defence
An example is military censorship
historical events and considerations
For example in Germany: No glorification of Nazis
Reasons
Companies use it to control or restrict information
pertaining to their business activities
Practiced by companies which have problems in
its business operations
Who censors and what is
censored?
Self-censorship
Censorship by higher authority
Self censorship
Act of censoring or classifying one’s own work out
of fear or deference or sensibilities, without overt
pressure from any specific parties or institution of
authority
Mainly done by:
Film directors/producers (scenes)
Publishers/journalists (stories, articles, parties
involved)
Musicians (words)
Censorship by higher
authority
Act of censoring that is forced by higher authority
such as the government
Example: 911
Government wanted to keep low-profiled
To prevent panic and more chaos
Censor news through publishers, radio, etc.
Limitations
Political agendas
Loss of freedom
Resources needed
Violation of human rights
Political agendas
Political parties determine who can say what and
when
Places power and control to the high powers
Limits the power of the press to communicate
issues, problems and agendas of those holding
political power
Loss of freedom
Restrict other people
Limits the room for creativity and passion
(journalist, writers, movie directors)
Huge disincentive
Resources needed
Whether it’s small scale or large scale, censorship
takes huge amounts of time and resources that
can be devoted into other sectors
Due to the following areas:
System needs to be maintained, upgraded and
repaired
Labor pool needed
Cost of equipment
Violation of human rights
People are denied in doing what they want
Article 19 of the UDHR: “Everyone has the right to
freedom of opinion and expression; this right
includes freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and
regardless of frontiers”
Importance
Prevents the minds of children from becoming
corrupt (pornography)
Prevention of religious conflict
Preservation of national secrets
Reduction of negative influences (scenes of
alcohol and smoking)
Prevent politically motivated propaganda
Prevents public display of disrespect to certain
people or groups of people (races)
Importance
Prevents the spread of racism
Children are prevented from learning things that
could harm others and themselves. (violence and
vulgarities)
Control panic and rumors (911, India 2008)
Main
idea:
Censorship is imposed to
protect people, not to restrain
the expression of them.
Consequences
Difficult to educate children on sensitive topics
(sex, STI, HIV, AIDS)
Dictators use it to promote a flattering image of
themselves and can remove information against
them
Encroaches upon the freedom of press
Ignorance in society
Incorrect perceived image
Associated with dictatorship
Consequences
Compromised entertainment value (books, plays,
movies)
Different standards of morals among different
societies
Block legitimate criticism (which could be
beneficial)
Political parties use it for their own benefit
Stifles opposition
Broadcasting a narrow point of view/only one
particular point of view
Consequences
Main
idea:
Censorship denies access
to vital information, differing
points of view and criticism
that could be beneficial
Singapore versus America
Local censorship: motion picture association of america vs
media development authority
Singapore versus America
Internet censorship:
Singapore
America
Minimal internet filtering
for online searches
Minimal internet filtering
for online searches
Still has strong filtering for
any kind of pornography
Not so strong filtering for
pornography except for
child pornography, which
is disapproved of worldwide.
Video game censorship:
ADV( age advisory)
M18 (mature 18)
Not much restriction
Singapore versus America
Local, television, press
Singpore
America
Still follow MDA’s
guidelines
Not much censorship
Largely controlled by
Singapore Press Holdings
(SPH)
Viewed as corporate
censorship
Speaker’s corner
available as well.
Free speech zones are
available, areas set aside
in public places for
citizens of the United
States engaged in
political activism to
exercise their right of free
speech.
Are there any questions?
