Fall 2009 Should media violence be banned?

Stevie Cheung and Sarah Harney MEDIA VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT BE BANNED

Free Expression Network. "Restricting Children's Access to Violent Media Would Be Censorship." Current Controversies: Violence in the Media. Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. INLAN - Gonzaga University Library. 19 Oct. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T010&prodId=OVRC&docId=EJ3010069214&source=gale&userGroupName=gonzagaufoley&version=1.0>.

This article argues that banning violence in the media would not lower crime rates because there is no evidence that supports that claim. It also states that the crime rate is the lowest it has ever been. Thus, the media violence isn’t increasing violence. Another main point in this article is that the banning of violence media is censorship, which is illegal.

American Civil Liberties Union. "Government Censorship Would Be Harmful." Contemporary Issues Companion: Censorship. Ed. Kate Burns. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. INLAN - Gonzaga University Library. 19 Oct. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T010&prodId=OVRC&docId=EJ3010266217&source=gale&userGroupName=gonzagaufoley&version=1.0>.

This article reframes the issue by saying that by giving the government the right to censor this cloud the judgement of what the government can and can’t censor. The American Civil Liberties Union stands by their decision in supporting free speech in America.

MEDIA VIOLENCE SHOULD BE BANNED

Ed Donnerstein. "Media Violence Promotes Violent Behavior." Opposing Viewpoints: Popular Culture. Ed. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. INLAN - Gonzaga University Library. 20 Oct. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T010&prodId=OVRC&docId=EJ3010377222&source=gale&userGroupName=gonzagaufoley&version=1.0>.

Donnerstein states in this article that studies show that media violence contributes to children’s “aggressive behavior.” Another major point is that media violence should be banned because it is portrayed in a “glamorous, sanitized, or routine manner” that is very attractive to people and demonstrates that violence can solve every day issues as it is used in such a casual manner.