Introduction

Censorship is an executive order to suppress negativity and false information proliferating through print or digital media. It can be either a government order or an order by an NGO working for the welfare of the society.

It is quite common for governments around the world to introduce draconian measures to block images, speeches, and other audio/video clippings that contain propaganda material proliferating false information and hatred against government policies.

To tackle the menace of fake news and fabricated information emanating from the public, full-proof measures in form of censorship are being imposed on media websites carrying news that can prove detrimental to the government’s mode of functioning.

To know exactly what effects censorship can have on our day-to-day life, let us look at some of the pros and cons of censorship

Pros of Censorship

Malicious information and fake news gets suppressed

Holding back information that can cause mayhem and create unrest in society can be prevented from being leaked if a comprehensive censorship policy is in place. Fake news, false and vicious information about the government policies loses priority over news that favors the regime.

Censorship acts as a firewall and prevents the information from getting exposed via media channels and digital platforms. A comprehensive censorship act can bring a sea change in the way we share information with the outside world.

Censorship creates a kid-friendly environment

Due to the proliferation of the internet, kids of all age groups are exposed to unfair and unwanted information that can prove detrimental to their lives and career. A good censorship policy can help create a healthy atmosphere within the household and at schools where students have access to unhealthy content all the time.

The onus lies on the parents and teachers to make sure that kids do not have access to hardcore material that is obscene or violent in any form. In the end, censorship can prove beneficial for the kids and can help change the way they access information.

Censorship reduces social and communal problems significantly

A good censorship policy is the need of the hour for any country that faces intense social and communal problems all the time. Information emanating from the media platforms can cause a seriously destabilizing effect on the society we live in and as a result, people lose trust and hope on the administration considerably.

Censorship can limit access to information that is malicious and can harm our society and the community we live in. many countries around the world have indulged in good practices and censorship is part of that good practice which is indispensable for this information age.

Censorship enhances the security of a country manifold

A county’s security and image depends on the way it disseminates information to its citizens. If a country were quite conservative and secretive in leaking information it can secure its image by withholding secret files that would otherwise create ripples in its relation with other countries.

Countries, where information is freely available, can prove harmful and disastrous to its security due to the failure on its part to contain the spread of hatred and vicious information. Whatever may be the case good censorship can secure a country’s future and helps it to maintain a good rapport with other countries?

Censorship restrains businesses from disseminating false information

A comprehensive censorship law can prevent business establishments from lying about their products and services. Customers depend on the products and services that these businesses sell and any false data about these products can damage the product’s image or make the service redundant.

Therefore, a comprehensive censorship law is much-needed protection from fraudulent practices indulged by such businesses to cheat and con innocent customers.

Cons of Censorship

Censorship deprives citizens of sensitive information

Censorship can obstruct information we try to access and can deprive citizens of their basic rights to get access to sensitive information affecting the society. Censorship can put breaks on the vital information, which otherwise remains confined, in the government’s official database

Citizens feel dejected and vent their anger on the bureaucracy for not able to gain access to data that would solve many social and communal problems. Therefore, censorship can have a negative impact on the lives of the citizens for whom media is the only means to know and understand government policies and programs.

Censorship promotes authoritarianism

Authority comes from power and power mongers dictate terms and expect people to follow and do what they deem fit. Authoritarianism and dictatorship are two sides of the same coin and imposing an act of terrifying people are akin to dissuade them from gaining access to policies, which are anti-people and against the wishes of the society.

Political dictators often use this tool to warn or threaten masses with severe consequences if they break the law. Very often dictators impose such draconian laws to prevent the media from reporting adverse news, which is against the interest of the regime.

Censorship is ineffective if not implemented properly

If there is any loophole in the implementation of the censorship law then there are ample chances of illegal information being leaked without appropriate protection and cyber laws in place. Several times critics of censorship have argued that despite numerous resolutions, cybercrimes are on the rise and information theft is rampant.

With the advancement of technology, a bigger chunk of the national budget is needed to invest in introducing new cyber laws and anti-hacking software to keep information theft at bay. Many governments around the world maintain a separate department for tackling information theft with round the clock surveillance and security to avoid an embarrassing situation.

Censorship hampers adults from gaining knowledge

Censorship can deter young adults to get valuable knowledge for their future career growth. Strict laws, if implemented would hamper an individual’s attempt to get access to highly classified and resourceful information.

With countries around the world that have implemented internet censorship, citizens of these countries are unable to get hold of the opportunity to learn new techniques, which can be influential in enhancing their careers to a significant extent.

The internet is a useful and most versatile platform for learning and gaining knowledge and if citizens are not able to get what the internet has to offer, there will be no progressive improvement in their lives.

Censorship restricts freedom of speech and right to information

Freedom of speech is the foremost right of every individual and nobody can impose restrictions on other people from expressing his or her thoughts. Likewise right to information is the fundamental right of every citizen and preventing access to valuable information is unlawful and punishable.

Censorship can have a massive impact on the lives of the citizens who depend on the elected government for information. If the government acts and behaves like a strict brother, there are ample chances of unrest and mayhem on the streets and can lead to social and economic problems.

Conclusion

Censorship is both beneficial and harmful to society. It either can work favorably or can prove disastrous if used abnormally. Primarily censorship refers to holding back vital and useful information, which people feel, is their fundamental right to know. The onus lies on the policymakers and political bosses who impose such restrictions as per their will. The result should be impartial to those who favor such a law and those who are against the imposition of such a law. The debate should continue and a comprehensive censorship policy should be agreed upon which favors the majority.