Arguing in favour of censorship in China.

Authors Avatar by js09lee (student)

RATIONAL

Censorship of media has been and continues to be a controversial issue in China as the consequences have the potential to affect the very existence of the political system. The Part 2: Language and Mass Media course directly addresses the influence of media on ideology and politics. China’s censorship of the media, especially the internet, TV and publications, has perhaps the most significant impact on shaping a consensus, to the benefit of the government, of the general population’s ideas. Censorship, in the form of fabricating information, convoluting meaning, or withholding influential information in the media from the public, serves to meet the goals of the government by promoting the values that individual freedoms are not basic human rights, economic success is the most important thing in society, and social stability is more important than the truth. Supporters of censorship cite the importance of the greater good over that of the individual. However, opponents advocate that the negative consequences of censorship outweigh the benefits. Censorship of media in China is an issue that will affect not only 1.3 billion of its people, but also much of the world, and therefore has significance for humanity. Attempting to control the ideology of an entire society, by censoring information, is a double edged sword and the consequences could likely backfire to lead to the demise of the political system. The target audience of this editorial, educated Chinese citizens who support censorship or are not aware of its fundamental shortcomings, will be persuaded that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. The argument of supporters that censorship is to the benefit of Chinese values will also be challenged in a logical manner. An editorial is the most suitable medium for presenting this controversial topic because both opposing perspectives are explained, the writer’s opinion is shared, and the reader is left to draw their own conclusion.

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Word Count: 308

EDITORIAL

The Chinese government, in an effort to control the ideology of its people and ensure its future existence, is no stranger to manipulating, withholding or fabricating information to serve its needs. Nothing new, right? What is new, and has yet to be widely discussed or analyzed, is the adverse effects of China’s censorship will have on itself. Considered by many experts to be the world’s most effective propaganda machine, China’s state controlled media, including TV, the internet and publications, has a heavy-handed approach to directly and indirectly influencing all aspects of society. Advocates of censorship in ...

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