Censorship Is A Bomb Wrapped In Gold

By: Rashee Anand.

The statement made by Xinhua in light of the recent Charlie Hebdo attacks sparks up extreme controversy. On their part, they advocate 'censorship of press' for a peaceful and better society. The question to be pondered over is whether censorship really is an answer for world peace or whether it is just a curtain of ignorance that authorities draw over the eyes of the population.

Considering here, the main resolve of the press is to provide information free of bias, control or exaggeration. Censorship of press is, nonetheless, an idea that calls for condemnation and this idea further, will defeat the purpose of the press, killing the only source of true, fair and free speech. It is not about fooling the society into believing something; it is about creating an ignorant and submissive society. Ignorance and submission, however, do not necessarily imply peace. In fact, submission tends to be one of the root causes of a revolution.

The Chinese Government can not keep the people disguised for eternity. They will realize 'Reporting the news is not crime'. Submission will cause revolution. Photo by- Charles Mok.

Coming back to Xinhua, their statement is not really theirs, per se. It is a message that the Chinese Government has been conveying to the world since long- ‘Look at how we censor our press’. China has been known to have stringent media regulations, mockingly termed as 'The Great Firewall of China'. The question here then is, does the Chinese Government censor media to an acceptable yet revealing state? No. The regulations cut, downplay, delete, change and block any kind of content that whispers 'controversy'.

Consider the case of the general public. Having censorship will put before them, an image that is photo-shopped and will produce something that has no reality or firm base behind it. In a bid to 'protect the culture' and 'provide peace', people would only be deprived of true and unbiased information. Changing words and packing them in an acceptable way, is just like wrapping up bombs in beautiful paper and vibrant bows. The Government’s gift maybe pretty, but it is a bomb nevertheless.

Now, let's talk about the people whose words and ideas will be played with under censorship - Journalists and writers. Take an example - In China, journalists are not allowed to use the phrase 'Mainland China'. It is always 'Chinese Mainland'. 
Censorship isn't just about deciding a finite set of 'mentionables and unmentionables'. The basic essence is to control ideas and opinions.

Writers and Journalists will always look for their freedom. Photo by- Niecieden.

Writers are forced into a status quo where writing is not enlightening, it is just words. It is a blow to a journalist's esteem and a knife in the heart of free speech.

Let's move on to another section of the population now; the publishers, producers, businessmen, people who are behind print media, radio, films, instant messaging apps, and the like. Censorship and a ban on foreign media players will definitely help them gain a business advantage in the home country. They'll be the only players on the ground, and it'll be a sure win. Yet, they'll lose in the long run. In an era of globalization and breaking cultural barriers, these so called 'successful players' would be left behind. Stagnancy breeds from zero competition. 
It is easy to take away the trophy when you are the only team on the court. But does this trophy really mean anything? It will only give complacency and more of it.

Public aside, let's talk of Governments. Government plays here as the only body that'll gain from censorship, because it can control public opinion and modify information according to it is requirements. Does the Government really believe that people would buy all that is presented to them? That people will never have the urge to mock, ridicule, satirize or speak their own mind out? If it is a positive notion, then definitely it is the Government that has a curtain of ignorance in front of its eyes.

People will find out ways and forums to gain correct information and express opinions. If the Government censors the Internet content, people will shift to proxy servers and other micro blogging sites to circumvent. If they censor books and DVD's, people will pirate them or buy them off the black market. If TV is censored, satellite signal hacking systems can crack that. Censorship will only create a war ground.

Censorship will only create a ground war between the government and journalists. Journalists and writers will always find a way to get their voices heard. Photo by- Guido Van Nispen

The public and the journalists may feel cheated by their own Government, but they will definitely find a way out always. A country's political system should work on transparency and equality. Censorship will do more harm than good. In an attempt to protect an untarnished image, they'll only end up shattering it. As stated before, censorship is only a pretty looking bomb. It is good to look at, nice to hold and desirable to keep. Yet, the fact remains that it is a bomb. It will burst and destroy everything and everyone on it is way. Say no to it.

Edited By: Anirban Paul.