Debate:Censorship of the Arts

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Should governments feel free to censor artistic expression, or is it more important to protect some right to expression?

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Background and Context of Debate:

The concept of "censorship" is somewhat ambiguous but a better debate results if the Prop side takes the commonly accepted definition – that certain texts, images, or films should be banned. If "censorship" is defined as any form of regulation or law, then it becomes almost truistic as a definition, since the opposition would (if they accepted such a silly definition) have to argue that Art somehow exists above all laws.The Proposition can also include age restrictions as part of their definition of censorship. For example, certain texts, images, or films may only be viewable by people of a certain age, or under the grounds of official academic research.This debate sometimes becomes one about the broader concept of censorship, rather than a debate specifically about whether the arts should be censored. The debate can also go in other directions – some debates will instead evolve into a discussion about the nature of art and how we can decide that a work has redeeming artistic value.

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Argument #1

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Yes

An individual's rights end when they impinge on the safety and rights of others. By enacting laws against incitement to racial hatred and similar hate speech, we have accepted that freedom of expression should have limits. In addition, art, like any other form of free speech, should be subject to the same restrictions on an individual's freedom of expression. To create an exception for art would be hypocritical and create a legal loophole for content such as hate speech, which could then seek protection on the grounds that it was a form of art.

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No

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Argument #2

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Yes

Censorship can also be a finely tuned system of protecting our children. Just as we recognise that certain content should not be accessed by society at all, we can also recognise that certain content (e.g. sexual content) is unsuitable for children, and we can pass censorship accordingly. For example, certain forms of erotic artwork might be unsuitable for children, despite their artistic merits.

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No

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Argument #3

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Yes

Censorship may actually help the artistic cause -- e.g. the general public is far more likely to support and fund erotic art with sexual content if they do not have to worry about their children seeing it!

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No

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Argument #4

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Yes

Many forms of modern art seek to push the boundaries of what is acceptable, or aim for the lowest denominator in taste. Both situations can give rise to content that is unacceptable, and which governments should not permit.

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No

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Argument #5

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Yes

Excessive sex and violence in the media can lead to similar behaviour in viewers (studies in the USA have shown this). There is a very real risk of copycat crimes inspired by depictions of criminal activity in the media, even if no criminal act was committed during the creative process. This alone should be justification for censorship.

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No

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Argument #6

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Yes

Even if some individuals manage to circumvent the censorship measures, the Government has sent an important message about what society considers to be acceptable. The role of the state in sending social messages and setting social standards should not be underestimated, and censorship (be it through bans or minimum age requirements) is an important tool in thisprocess.

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No

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References:

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Motions:

• This House supports censorship of the arts.
• This House believes that nude art is lewd art.
• This House fears that artistic license is a license to kill.
• This House believes that you are what you see.
• This House believes that when you look into the abyss, the abyss looks back into you.

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In legislation, policy, and the real world:

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See also on Debatepedia:

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External links and resources:

• American Civil Liberties Union
• Bonfire of Liberties
• University of Pennsylvania: Banned Books Online
• MIT Bookstore: Banned Book Month
• PBS: Culture Shock

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Books:

• Arresting Images: Impolitic Art and Uncivil Actions : Stephen Dubin