Discuss the arguments used to encourage media censorship as well as the anticensorship view. Do you agree or disagree with censorship concerning terrorism? Explain

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• The first was national security, a powerful excuse used in times of emergency.
• According to this position, information must be controlled to ensure the survival of the state.
• Another position was to claim that the public wanted the information withheld.
• Democratic senator Joseph Lieberman voiced his support for controlling information, claiming the American people overwhelmingly supported governmental efforts.
• According to this logic, America was fighting a new type of war and some form of censorship was required.
• The other arguments asked Americans to behave patriotically.
• Ultimately, governmental officials claimed they were asking for restraints, not censorship.
• Mainly journalists presented the anticensorship view.
• They cited a variety of governmental mistakes and misdeeds all hidden under the rubric of national security.
• They also argued that the terrorism was essentially a war of information.
• Instead of trying to silence sources, the government should focus efforts on getting out the facts.
• Every governmental clampdown cast officials in a bad light.
• The anticensorship camp reserved its harshest criticism for media outlets that decided to self-censor as a governmental service.
• Editors according to Doris Graber should hold back information to protect citizens and security forces, but those decisions belong to the media, not the government.