Media Violence Should Be Censored (From Violence in the Media, P 53-56, 1995, Carol Wekesser, ed. -- See NCJ-160238)

• NCJ Number: 160244
• Author(s): I Kristol
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From "Sex, Violence, and Videotape," The Wall Street Journal, May 31, 1994.

Annotation

Media violence promotes violence in society; censoring such violence is necessary to protect society.

Abstract

Based on a study of the impact of TV violence on human behavior, Brandon Centerwall, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, concludes that "the evidence indicates that if, hypothetically, television technology had never been developed there would today be 10,000 fewer homicides each year in the United States, 70,000 fewer rapes, and 700,000 fewer injurious assaults. Violent crime would be half what it is." Given such a conclusion, the content of television and videotapes should be controlled. Such controls will involve some limitations on the freedom of adults to enjoy the kind of entertainment they might prefer, but modest limits on adult liberties are acceptable if they prevent tens of thousands of children from becoming criminal adults. If there is a connection between our popular culture and the epidemic of criminal violence, then it is reasonable to think that there may also be such a connection between our popular culture and sexual promiscuity among teenagers, teen age illegitimacy, and the increasing number of rapes committed by teenagers. The government must help parents in raising their children by ensuring that media do not portray behaviors that would corrupt our children.