Censoring TV news ... what do you think?
 

Our state government in Australia is looking at a proposal regarding censoring TV news (in particular the images/footage) when shown in prime time hours (i.e. the main news services here are at 6pm). They are also looking at putting M rated movies on later because they think that more kids are staying up later on this.

Included in the types of news events that would be censored would be things like the terrorist attacks, any murders, anything killed (including animals), and anything deemed to be of a "violent" nature.

I don't know about anything else... but in reality ... this is not a good thing to do.

Here are a few points I can think of:

• You can't hide everything from kids. Otherwise they will grow up thinking that the world is a "wonderful" place where no crime happens. Then when they do get older they may not know properly what a murderer is, or a rapist.
• Too difficult to shield kids from everything... if they don't see it on the TV, they may see it on the net or something.
• The news will become mostly a rosy current affairs show. In an ideal world... yes, but we need to be realistic.

I don't know... but all of us grew up watching stuff and the like... and we turned out OK. Usually any violent behavior is attributed to a mental disorder or the kind of envoironment the kid grows up in (i.e. violent family life).

I do agree with censorship to a degree (i.e. not showing "grapically" violent images (you know, the stuff that isn't even fit for adults to see)... but to censor general news IMO is going too far.

Abe Babe...

I think that censorship of the news is generally not a good idea. While there is something to be said for protecting young children from graphically violent images, I think that is the parents' job and shouldn't be accomplished through government censorship. Having an occasional violent news item is not the same as R-rated movies or sex channels on at 6 in the evening. Besides that, most young kids I know can't wait to change the channel when the news is on.

While our national news programs tend to be committed to making sure their content is newsworthy, there is a valid complaint concerning local news stations' "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality. Even so, censorship is a harsh remedy, and I don't think the problem warrants it at this point.

*puts news on*
Oooo, look, it's CCTV footage of a rape...now he's strangling her...oh, off the bride she goes!
[/thing_that_wouldn't_ever_be_allowed_to_be_shown_on_the_news]

*puts real news on*
Oooo, look, it's CCTV footage of a shop-lifter and an ARTIST'S IMPRESSION of the face of a rapist...
[/comparison]

Which news would be acceptable? 1 or 2?

I think news shows should adhere to the policies that all TV shows already adhere to...I.e. no graphic violence before whenever...et cetera...


I'm generally opposed to censorship, but it's ok to censor stuff like child porn.

i think censoring news is a bad idea. simply because the news is reality and u have to face reality. also how many young kids watch the news anyway?

I'm pretty young and I watch the news (then again the I only read the bussiness section of the newspaper and listen to npr)

I agree with you, AB. Kids WILL eventually find out about everything, especially with the internet now. The news is something that needs to be real... as it is real life.

My only complaint with it is what the media does during dangerous times, such as 9/11... well, here anyway. They revealed TOO much, such as the location of the president and a few of the military's plan of attack. Ok, that stuff is downright stupid and dangerous to give out, in which case I think that should be censored.

I don't think you should leave it till kids are about 14/15 to let them see a sorta violent/sexy movie. Reason:

(two 15 year olds talking) Hey Bob, see that really violent cool movie on last night?
No, had to go to bed. Mum said it was too violent. [embarrassing]

Or...

(two 17 year olds) Hey Ric, see that sex movie last night?
No, I'm not 18 yet. [up to the parents, yet still embarrassing]

That's just my thought.

[ December 05, 2001: Message edited by: General Drippik ]

I dont think censoring the news is a good idea. I think its up to the kids parents on what the kids watch and see on TV not the government.

Cenosoring normal TV programs is one thing, but Censoring the News is not only a bad idea, but is morally and ethically wrong, in my opinion. The news is meant to give us the truth, and if we cut bits out just because we don't want certain people to see it, then what's to stop them cutting out bits that [for example] make the government look bad?

RE: GD's last post:
Here, it's even illegal to let under 16 year-olds get hold of porn movies. What's the point, when they can get more variety from the internet?
*keeps mouth shut now*


That's called faschism.
Ooops, did I call the Australian government faschist on an Australian-hosted site? (Not that the fact the server's location matters, just look at the France Vs. Yahoo thing)

I think that nothing should be censored on TV like it is in England, and parents should start monitoring their children's TV watching.

I'm in Aus, and it's 18 plus here, not 16.

I agree with what everyone else has said. I don't see why the early edition should be any less violent than the late news. Chances are that parents who don't monitor what their children are watching will let them stay up late anyway, they'll be exposed to violence either way.