Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning

Twelfth Edition

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Chapter 17: Censorship

As noted by many prominent communication scholars, we live in an age in which entertainment media influence virtually every aspect of our lives. Entertainment does much more than give us enjoyment; it can be persuasive, and it can powerfully role model behavior that influences how we live. Research shows that entertainment media are as violent and sexually explicit today as they have ever been yet rarely have been censored. This does not mean media self-censorship does not exist, but we wonder if it is enough in light of the devastating effects of the harmful beliefs that entertainment media can promulgate. In this last chapter of Media Ethics, we consider the important ethical dilemmas associated with entertainment media content that can take us to dark places where our well-being is at risk.

Chapter 17 – Video Introduction

Transcript

Key questions for the chapter

  1. How do we best protect ourselves from harmful media content that cannot be censored because of legal rights such as the United States’ First Amendment?
    1. U.S. courts have rarely ruled against media producers due to First Amendment freedoms. What are the ethical implications of this trend?
    2. Social media platforms can choose to censor anyone they want because they are private companies and they also can choose to allow harmful content to be disseminated. Should governments place restrictions on these companies? Explain why or why not.
    3. How do can we restore public trust in the media organizations that have been shown to manipulate their audiences?
  2. How can we use the Potter Box to balance the free flow of information and media with the responsibility to protect media consumers from physical, emotional, and psychological harm?
    1. How can media ethics help us navigate the clashes between First Amendment protected freedoms and the great damage caused by false media content?
    2. How might the moral values of stewardship and self-control apply to the cases in this chapter?
    3. How might the socio-cultural value of restraint provide guidance for producers of violent and sexually explicit media content?

Case 79

Discussion Questions

  1. How does the artist Eminem (Marshall Bruce Mathers III) push the boundaries on responsible communication?
  2. What are the ethical implications of many governments’ lax policies toward violent media content produced by performing artists?
  3. Should social media companies be subject to legal restrictions since they have  monopolies over online media content? Why or why not?

Weblinks

Case 80

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the ethical implications of Stormfront’s effectiveness in using online media to foment ethnic hatred and racism?
  2. Is it possible to better protect online media consumers from harmful media content that seduces people to join radicalized groups? What would you recommend?
  3. What reforms if any are needed to hold entertainment media companies accountable for the transparency of the information they disseminate through social media platforms?

Weblinks

Case 81

Discussion Questions

  1. Should visual media productions be altered to adjust to an audiences’ sensibilities, or should the original artistic vision be shown? Why or why not?
  2. Can entertainment media producers provide realistic portrayals of dramatic stories within profanity-laced dialogue? Should they?
  3. How can entertainment media producers create opportunities for more healing stories for those who have been abused by authoritative figures in their lives?

Weblinks

Case 82

Discussion Questions

  1. What ethical issues does the rape scene in Rescue Me might cause viewers to call for this episode’s removal from television?
  2. Should depictions of rape and other sexual violence be allowed on television?
  3. How has rape become such a common trope of television drama and why do media consumers allow this?

Weblinks

Case 83

Discussion Questions

  1. To what degree did Ice-T’s song, Cop Killer, violate the understood limitations of the First Amendment by inciting violence against the police?
  2. Did you think the song Cop Killer resulted in armed attacks against police officers and the possible death of police officers? 
  3. Ice-T defended his lyrics about killing cops noting many other popular film and television productions that show the killing of cops. Do you agree or disagree with his argument that rapping about cop killing is not much different than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cop-killing rampage in a feature film?

Weblinks

Subject: Song Lyrics to Cop Killer

[Verse 1]
COP KILLER! Yeah!
I got my black shirt on
I got my black gloves on
I got my ski mask on
This shit's been too long
I got my twelve gauge sawed off
I got my headlights turned off
I'm 'bout to bust some shots off
I'm 'bout to dust some cops off
I'm a...

[Chorus]
COP KILLER, better you than me
COP KILLER, fuck police brutality!
COP KILLER, I know your family's grievin' ... FUCK 'EM!
COP KILLER, but tonight we get even

[Verse 2]
I got my brain on hype
Tonight'll be your night
I got this long-assed knife
And your neck looks just right
My adrenaline's pumpin'
I got my stereo bumpin'
I'm 'bout to kill me somethin'
A pig stopped me for nuthin'!
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[Chorus]
COP KILLER, better you than me
COP KILLER, fuck police brutality!
COP KILLER, I know your mama's grievin' ... FUCK 'EM!
COP KILLER, but tonight we get even

[Bridge]
DIE, DIE, DIE, PIG, DIE!
FUCK THE POLICE!
FUCK THE POLICE!
FUCK THE POLICE!
FUCK THE POLICE!
FUCK THE POLICE!
FUCK THE POLICE!
FUCK THE POLICE!
FUCK THE POLICE!  Yeah!

[Chorus]
COP KILLER, better you than me
COP KILLER, fuck police brutality!
COP KILLER, I know your family's grievin' ... FUCK 'EM!
COP KILLER, but tonight we get even

[Outro]
FUCK THE POLICE!
FUCK THE POLICE, for Daryl Gates
FUCK THE POLICE, for Rodney King
FUCK THE POLICE, for my dead homies
FUCK THE POLICE, for your freedom
FUCK THE POLICE, don't be a pussy
FUCK THE POLICE, have some mothafuckin' courage
FUCK THE POLICE, sing along!
COP KILLER! I'm a muthafuckin'
COP KILLER!

Songwriters: Ernest T. Cunnigan / Tracy Lauren Marrow
Cop Killer lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc