Why censorship imposed

Serial killer Theodore Bundy collected cheerleading magazines. And the work most often cited by psychopaths as justification for their acts of violence is the Bible. But what about the rest of us? Does exposure to media violence actually lead to criminal or anti-social conduct by otherwise stable people, including children, who spend an average of 28 hours watching television each week?

These are important questions. If there really were a clear cause-and-effect relationship between what normal children see on TV and harmful actions, then limits on such expression might arguably be warranted. Children have been shown TV programs with violent episodes in a laboratory setting and then tested for "aggressive" behavior.

Some of these studies suggest that watching TV violence may temporarily induce "object aggression" in some children such as popping balloons or hitting dolls or playing sports more aggressively but not actual criminal violence against another person. There is no definitive answer. But all scientists agree that statistical correlations between two phenomena do not mean that one causes the other.

Japanese TV and movies are famous for their extreme, graphic violence, but Japan has a very low crime rate -- much lower than many societies in which television watching is relatively rare.

What the sudies reveal on the issue of fictional violence and real world aggression is -- not much. The only clear assertion that can be made is that the relationship between art and human behavior is a very complex one.

Violent and sexually explicit art and entertainment have been a staple of human cultures from time immemorial. Many human behavioralists believe that these themes have a useful and constructive societal role, serving as a vicarious outlet for individual aggression.

Whatever influence fictional violence has on behavior, most expert believe its effects are marginal compared to other factors. Even small children know the difference between fiction and reality, and their attitudes and behavior are shaped more by their life circumstances than by the books they read or the TV they watch.

Black , holding that the First Amendment did not protect such acts when their purpose was intimidation. This article was originally published in Elizabeth Purdy, Ph. Hemmer, Joseph J. Lanham, Md. Irons, Peter H. Brennan vs. Rehnquist: The Battle for the Constitution. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Kennedy, Sheila Seuss. Westport, Conn. Kersch, Ken I. Freedom of Speech, Rights, and Liberties under the Law. Santa Barbara, Calif. Levy, Leonard.

New York: Harper and Row, Rudanko, Juhani. Sherman, Daniel J. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, Willingham, AJ. Snider, Mike. Elizabeth R. Censorship [electronic resource].

Want to support the Free Speech Center? Donate Now. Texas Fighting Words Gitlow v. New York Hustler Magazine v. Falwell Jones v. California Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart New York Times Co. Sullivan New York Times Co. It may take place at any point in time, whether before an utterance occurs, prior to its widespread circulation, or by punishment of communicators after dissemination of their messages, so as to deter others from like expression.

In its narrower, more legalistic sense, censorship means only the prevention by official government action of the circulation of messages already produced. Thus writers who "censor" themselves before putting words on paper, for fear of failing to sell their work, are not engaging in censorship in this narrower sense, nor are those who boycott sponsors of disliked television shows. In modern times, censorship refers to the examination of media including books, periodicals, plays, motion pictures, and television and radio programs for the purpose of altering or suppressing parts thought to be offensive.

The offensive material may be considered immoral or obscene, heretical or blasphemous, seditious or treasonable, or injurious to the national security. Home Site Map Who Decides? Politics and Society main page. Browse a selection of National Library material relating to all aspects of censorship by typing the term 'censorship' in the search box above.

Visit the 'Banned books' web pages that accompanied our blockbuster exhibition. Index on Censorship is Britain's leading organisation promoting freedom of expression. Scottish PEN is part of a global organisation committed to campaigning for writers under threat. If there's a topic you'd like more information about, or if you have any suggestions for learning, email us. Search our websites.