Censorship on social media. Discussion. Research Paper

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Social Media Censorship
Censorship in the media is defined as a restriction of information and communication from being viewed or publicized because it is considered ‘sensitive, harmful, objectionable and inconvenient. Information, speech and communication is considered for suppression by the government as well as the terms and conditions held by different media personalities’ CITATION Wha181 \l 1033 (What is Censorship?).The greatest censorship is found in social media because such a platform has all types of people from age, religion, gender and political preferences. The freedom found in social media platforms allow users to post all manner of content. It is for this reason that censorship comes into play in different social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The topic of censorship is one filled with a lot of controversies with two opposing sides on whether to censor content or not. The side opposing censorship argues that it is denying the freedom of expression and that ‘total censorship is not possible’ CITATION Wha18 \l 1033 (7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet Censorship) while those for censorship also have a strong argument that censorship prevents harmful and dangerous content from being viewed and publicized thus causing damageCITATION Soc12 \l 1033 (Social Media Censorship. Should or Should not?). Censorship on social media does not violate freedom of speech since some content posted fails as a form of communication CITATION All18 \l 1033 (Pratt), violates human rights, ‘is immoral’ CITATION Wha181 \l 1033 (What is Censorship?), promotes violence, is misinforming, and any information that fails in protecting the interest of a nation should be censoredCITATION Soc12 \l 1033 (Social Media Censorship. Should or Should not?).
Discussion
Social media just like the name suggest is for the purposes of socializing and communicating. With this is mind it is good for internet users to have the question in mind as to whether the content they post in their social media accounts is a form of communication. ‘Communication is a two way traffic, speaking and someone else responds even though not in agreement. Communication adheres to appropriateness, audience, kindness and the preferences and opinions of other people’ CITATION All18 \l 1033 (Pratt). Therefore when any information posted in social media that doesn’t qualify as communication and therefore violates the opinions and preferences of other people, is defamatory to certain people, promotes unkindness and is inappropriate should definitely be removed.
Other people argue that we should ‘speak our minds’ and therefore post whatever we wish but in doing so we will be behaving as savages who do not pay attention to those around us and lack mindfulness of the harm that the content we post could be causing to other people. Communication in social media should promote wellness and in this we should follow the famous rule of doing unto others as we would have them do to us. If we do not want anyone insulting our religion we should not insult another religion either. Therefore social media should not be about superiority and proving a point but having a conversation and uplift everyone CITATION All18 \l 1033 (Pratt).
When information publicized and viewed disregards human dignity, it defies the rights and equality of all human beings. This defaming content presents itself in many ways. First, any information that is racist in nature violates human rights. Information posted should not cause lack of dignity to any particular race or nation. Secondly, religions should be respected, when posting information that defames a certain religion, we place superiority in our own and our beliefs and this is prejudice. Religion defamation occurs with the use of deity names profanely, openly disrespecting a given religion, its beliefs and culture or even violence against its followers. Most countries have freedom of religion and therefore such discrimination is a violation of the human rights. Each individual has the right to worship as they wish as long as it is in respect of human lives and dignity. Again, compromising a given gender through information in our social media accounts also goes against human rightsCITATION Bar17 \l 1033 (Mauer).
Additionally, the internet has been used by predators to shame women and children. One can find shaming photos and videos being leaked on social media by people whose motive is to defame women. There are various videos showing brutality against children by their parents, guardians and other adults. Sharing such content, does not serve the purpose of protecting and uplifting women and children but to shame them CITATION Wha18 \l 1033 (7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet Censorship).
There is basically no argument against censoring information that violates human rights which is prejudice and disregards equality of all human beings. According to Mauer information that is racist, sexist, defames a religion and discriminates in any way should be censored as all content should treat people equally and respect them as members of the society with dignity. None of us has the standard as to which religion, ethnicity, race, nation, religion, sexuality and gender is better than the other and therefore posting any content disrespecting any of the aforementioned facets of a society should be discouraged and censored if it happens.
If any content demands so much censorship, it has to be information that is sexual and promotes nudity. Unfortunately the current trends in the social media allow people to post images and information that is explicit without the consideration of the audience. Most people lack a sense of self-censorship and post nude photos and ‘pornographic materials in their social media accounts which is for one reason inappropriate, compromising to dignity and could be accessible to young persons’ CITATION Wha181 \l 1033 (What is Censorship?). Most social media have an age limit of 13 years ...