As we just about hit the twenty first century, Britain still seems to insist on clinging on to Victorian style values, because after all, "it’s better for society". Excesses of violence, strong language and depiction of drugs must obviously be cut from all films/tv, as this sort of thing NEVER happens in real life. Children of ten NEVER swear in the playground. Heroin? Isn’t that the female lead in a film that saves the day? And of course people like the Chelsea headhunters and the BNP were only created for television documentaries, to raise the profile of up and coming journalists.
Censorship is merely a form of fascism. Because the censors do not like the artist’s interpretation, be it film, spoken word, or whatever, then the offending part must be removed for the good of society. It is no longer a case of allowing the individual to decide.
Now I admit that this is not a perfect world, and that not everyone is as responsible as they should be, especially some parents with regards to their children. But the assertion that people are too stupid/naïve/incapable to decide for themselves what they should and should not see/hear belongs somewhere in the dark ages. The fact remains that taking away this choice is tantamount to totalitarianism. Contrary to political belief, people are capable of making decisions regarding their lives.
It doesn’t at all matter that in any other country uncut versions of what ever the subject may be won’t even cause eyelids to bat, over here it’s a case of "We’re British. We’re far superior to all this sort of thing."
Who are these people to tell us that the cinematic depiction of sex in the wreckage of a motor accident has less artistic merit than a severed cow in formaldehyde? These same people would baulk at the thought of someone slashing up a Monet, or torching a Picasso, but have no qualms over doing exactly that to the principle art form of the latter twentieth century.
The biggest argument, however, I have saved till last. That of pornography. Now people are obviously going to be thinking “ah, so all this is part of a hidden agenda so that this sad tosser can get some X rated vids and have a good wank.” To be honest I don’t really care what you think. The following needs saying, and I’m saying it.
Throughout Europe most of the countries have something in common. For once I’m not talking about the Euro-mark, but the fact that they have legalised hardcore pornography. Furthermore, in the majority of the western, so called civilised, world it is also legal. In these countries the PEOPLE are allowed to decide whether or not this is what they want to watch, not some 60year old from suburbia that drives a Volvo, and supports Manchester United. And what’s more, contrary to the British way of thinking, these people do not turn out to be deviants or psychopaths anymore than they would elsewhere (with the possible exception of the USA, but that’s another story).
In the UK at the moment it is illegal to posses/distribute/make hardcore pornography.
Laughing point one. Whilst it is illegal to posses and distribute hardcore pornography, be it video or still images, it is legal for adverts to be placed selling these products from outside of the UK. Hence a proliferation of said adverts in rags such as the Sun and the Sport. Because the government tries to maintain that it is not oppressing our rights they have stopped a little short of opening every last parcel, packet, and letter that enters the country. Thus it is possible for pretty much anyone to send away via mail order and a month later have their very own porn collection. Then all it requires is some enterprising sort to connect two VCRs (with a SCART lead generally gives the best results – so I’ve been told…), purchase a number of cheap blank tapes down the local supermarket, and Bob’s yer uncle, porn at about £5 a copy down the pub, or at work, or wherever. A mockery?
Laughing point two. Whilst you are not allowed to sit at home and watch this kind of material on your tv screen, it is possible to go to certain pubs, and clubs and see all manner of live sex shows. Admittedly these shows are often in the seedier areas of towns and cities, and usually accompanied by less than friendly spectators. However, none the less possible. Proof not only that this goes on in this country, but that there is also an existing market for it.
Laughing point three. Two words. The Internet. This is the big one, as it proves just how powerless the censors are. The system is in place, and it has failed dismally. Even without access to a credit card, users are no more than seconds away from everything the censors don’t want you to see. What’s more is the fact that now even kids can download within seconds material which is ostensibly for adult viewing.
The recent example of Glam rock king turned sleazy fucko, Gary Glitter, shows just how easily porn slips through the net. This is a man who downloaded over 4000 images of child porn onto his computer, and was only found out when he made the mistake of taking his computer to PC world to get it fixed with said images still on his hard drive. And if he can get it what’s there to stop anyone else?
(*Please not that whilst I am in favour of removing censorship, I am 100% opposed to the likes of child porn, snuff, bestiality, splat, and other illegal sick ass genres. In my opinion the sick perpetrators of this shit should burn in hell for all eternity. The above is just a very extreme example of the shortcomings of the current system.)
The only thing web censorship has succeeded in doing is driving money out of the British economy and into those of countries in which these sites are legal, and who have credit card billing.
In my opinion the sooner that the censors are done away
with and legislation is put in place to regulate this
industry, the better. Pretending you’re an ostrich and
burying your head in the sand will not make it go away, nor
will it help control the already huge influx.
I’m sure that if someone pointed out the fact that the
government are losing £millions in VAT to the black economy
of pirated porn then they might have a different view. In
fact with the additional income from legalised porn, maybe
there would not be as much need to raise duties on alcohol,
tobacco or fuel. Just a thought...