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Religion and the MediaLesson 5: Censorship & Freedom of Speech

09/04/2023

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Starter - What’s the topic?

What do you think these images represent?

How do these pictures link to the issues examined during this unit?

09/04/2023

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Censorship & Freedom of Speech

CensorshipCensorship is the suppression of speech or other public communication which may be considered offensive, harmful, sensitive, politically incorrect or inconvenient.

Freedom of SpeechUniversal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 19 - ‘the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media.’

What is the difference between censorship and freedom of speech?

Learning objective: To assess the consequences of censorship and freedom of speech, in relation to religion and the media. To create a list of all the positive/negatives influences of the media.

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Censorship vs. Freedom of Speech

63,000 complaints from people who were offended by its portrayal of Christian icons.

One group tried to prosecute the BBC, but the claims were rejected.

37,000 complaints received about a BBC radio show in which Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand telephoned and actor and told him details about his granddaughter’s relationships.

They were suspended, and the show’s producer resigned.

Do you think these complaints were valid?

Why?

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Censorship vs. Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech gives Christians in the UK the right to share their beliefs, but also allows others to criticise and challenge them.

People such as Richard Dawkins – author of ‘the God Delusion’ use their freedom of speech to deny the existence of God and challenge religious establishments.

Do you agree with freedom of speech or should aspects of the media be censored?

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Censorship vs. Freedom of Speech

In 2006 satirical cartoons of the prophet Muhammad were printed in Danish newspapers.

This caused great offence to Muslims and around the world there were violent protests as a result. In the UK the BBC reported the issue, but decided not to show any of the drawings.

Some people believed this was a form of censorship and prevented them from making their own mind up as to whether or not the images were offensive. Do you agree or disagree with the BBCs decision to censor these cartoons? Why?

09/04/2023

7Censorship vs. Freedom of Speech

Diamond 9

Arrange your 9 statements into a diamond shape, with the one you feel most strongly about at the top, to the one you feel least strongly about.

Once you have agreed on your statements, take a picture on your phone and email it to: sparks_j@bexelygs.co.uk

Then, be ready to justify your point of view.

Strongly agree

Strongly disagree

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Arguments for/against censorship

Draw the following table and detail arguments for and against censorship, in relation to religion and the media.

Use the examples we have discussed in class and also the statements in your diamond 9. Then complete the following statement (using your arguments)…

For Against

I believe that the media should/should not be censored in relation to religion because….

09/04/2023

9Plenary - Religion and the Media

A source of ‘good’ or ‘evil’

Over the last 5 weeks we have examined different aspects of religion and the media, including:

1. The influence of the media

2. The media and its impact on our attitudes and beliefs of religion (including Islamophobia)

3. The portrayal of religion in film

4. The positive/negative uses of religion in the media

5. Censorship & freedom of speech

Do you think the media is a source of ‘good’ or ‘evil’ when it comes to religion? Why?

*Use the ideas discussed during the last 5 weeks to support your argument.

The media should not be censored as it is important for

people to have free will.

It is up to parents to censor what their

children watch, not the government or

people who produce TV shows.

Religious hatred and racism should be censored as Jesus

taught Christians to be kind to people

from all backgrounds.

Swearing is wrong and should be

restricted.

Portrayal of graphic violence is wrong and may offend many people.

Many people believe that the

censorship which takes place is not

effective and could be improved.

It is a good thing that some

censorship exists to restrict things such

as sexual and violent content.

Not censoring the media can lead to

an increase in violence in young

people.

Censorship of pornography is a

good thing, as it can have a negative

influence that might cause people harm.