Expository Essay on the Conflict between Censorship and Selection

Introduction

The concept or the idea of intellectual property entails protecting the rights of all persons in the course of pursuit the kinds of information they desire and to access and subsequently read anything that is consistent with their interests (Rubin & Froehlich, 2017). In the contemporary setting, libraries attempt to remove materials that make up the library collection or restrict access to information by the users, and that pose serious challenges related to intellectual freedom. It is worth noting that intellectual freedom stemmed from the advocacy by the renowned Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who had staunch belief in the benefits and value of free discussion. In essence, the advocates of intellectual freedom vehemently oppose censorship that has the capability and the ability to restrict the dissemination of information, ideas, and the images transmitted through any medium of communication. Currently, most intellectual quota practice censorship in obvious and subtle manners (Fourie, Bothma, & Bitso, 2013).

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The common perception is that censorship occurs when an individual or a particular body attempts (or succeeds) in controlling ideas or information within a particular society. Additionally, censorship involves the suppression, removal, and the restriction of artistic, literary, or educational materials on the pretext that they are morally objectionable in the wake of the standards and the dictates set by the censor (Rubin & Froehlich, 2017). Censorship remains one of the most retrogressive public policy matters that bedevil in the contemporary setting. Censorship is an obstacle to the freedom of speech and expression, which is fundamental provision for every for all people (Fourie, Bothma, & Bitso, 2013). It means that everyone should have an unrestricted access to books and information whether or not they have the qualification as artistic creators, which is the underlying principle that defines the prevailing opposition to government censorship. Therefore, a legal issue exists at the heart of the public policy debate bent on determining the legality and the legitimacy of censorship.

Most people perceive censorship as a threat to intellectual freedom and the most shocking aspect is the fact that the constitution guarantees it. Further aggravation of the matter stems from the fact that certain quota view censorship as a human right. The factors responsible for censorship include but not limited to individual morality, usurpation of power, religious interpretation, and fear (Rubin & Froehlich, 2017). The fear stems from corruption, possible destruction of culture, and sensitivity that prevents discussion of contentious issues such as explicit sexual acts. On the other hand, the usurpation of power is because of the need to limit of the distribution of knowledge of through blatant hiding of information from the public or the people who deserve access to it (Kuhn, 2016). Morality defines a set of standards accepted by a group of people. However, noteworthy is the fact that standards may and people should acknowledge other people's beliefs and different standards. Finally, religious interpretation happens because some beliefs do not permit or allow the beliefs of other than their own. At times, people also view librarians as censors due to acts like labeling, expurgation, and restriction of access (Saunders, 2013). Notably, labeling expose the library to libel suits by publishers, who tend to object the subjective designation associated with the same.

The school of thought that supports censorship argues that it is the surest way of prohibiting obscenity, pornography, and indecency, which implies that it prevents sexisms, the use of bad language, and possible incidents of sexual harassment (Rubin & Froehlich, 2017). At the societal level, the objective is to suppress the advancement of specific languages and ethnicities, protect against racial vilification and speech, or to protect the sanctity of religion by pushing certain sins such as blasphemy. At the private level, censorship serves to protect private ownership of certain property, avoid possible cases of defamation, and maintain privacy. It is worth noting that special provision by the government exist to protect national interest and security and to address concerns related to wars and instability (Kuhn, 2016). In summary, the people who support censorship intend to maintain status quo since dissemination and the subsequent utilization of information threatens the very powerful people in society. Closely related to that is the fact that the government often invokes national security merely as a gimmick to justify censorship (Fourie, Bothma, & Bitso, 2013). Evidently, the school of thought that opposes censorship views the reasons given by the government and other authorities that support the concept as mere excuses used to oppress the masses and prevent from accessing information.

The arguments against the concept of censorship vary depending on the stakeholder or the people intending to access and utilize the information in question. To the patrons and the students, censorship restricts access to vital information that they feel is useful and should bear no restrictions. On the other hand, the librarians and libraries perceive censorship as because it infringes on certain constitutional provisions (Rubin & Froehlich, 2017). For example, in the USA, the libraries and the librarians see censorship as being breach of the Patriot Act that provides for the patron's and the library's right to privacy (Kuhn, 2016). The booksellers and the publishers oppose the concept of censorship because they view it as an obstacle to labeling, expurgation, and access to vital and necessary information thereby making the entities exceedingly susceptible to libel suits by publishers. The publishers may act in the manner identified because they do not approve of their materials being viewed with subjective designation. Finally, among the stakeholders are the human activists who subscribe to the idea that censorship is an absolute violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provision that stipulates that everyone has the right to freedom of expression and opinion. Notably, the stated right further states that everyone has the freedom to hold opinion and impart, seeks, and receive ideas and information through any media the frontier notwithstanding. For example, one of the leading opponents of censorship is The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions otherwise known as IFLA since it feels that the concept derails intellectual freedom (Kuhn, 2016). The issue of censorship is responsible for various conflicts that include creating friction between the administrators desire to exert control and the students need for learning and access to learning material. It also leads to inconsistency in the class work. Since administrators and the students are oblivious of what should be in class work and the information they should glean from the library shelves.

Safeguarding against Personal Bias

Selecting the right reading or study environment is quite important in acquiring the right, relevant information, meaning that choosing the right library is of utmost significance. Getting the right information is crucial since it educates, entertains, and inspires. Choosing the right library is often quite subjective and may lead to bias, meaning that it is important to eradicate any existing or arising bias will enable a librarian to choose the most appropriate study center. Eliminating personal bias is often the best way to identify and to maintain a magnificent study center. The first step is to settle for a library or a study center that I am familiar with and know very well including what it offers in terms of books. For example, am well familiar with the services and programs offered by most of the local libraries and that is a step towards the positive in that it guides me. Being aware of the full range of services offered by the library or a study center will help in eliminating any personal biases because I will settle for the one that that will guarantee the relevant information and materials based on my needs.

The second way to avoid bias is communication with the library personnel or consulting with friends and family members who are aware of the services and the levels of materials offered by the center. In most cases, libraries tend to have relevant, magnificent materials, but the utter lack of inquiry or communication might lead to the adoption of bias or dismissive attitude. Most libraries communicate or advertise the kind of services they offer on their websites and gleaning information from such sites will certainly go a long way in shaping their users' attitudes. Notably, the websites offer the opportunity of the user to look for events and to sign up for email newsletters that are quite informative and up-to-date. Closely related to that is the fact that it is beneficial to visit the library in person, gleaning information online, and consulting with friends and families who had the chance to visit the center. Normally, it is difficult for any library to reach patrons and inform them of all the services offered. The best method is for the patron to use the means available to access the fornication about the library or the study center of interest.

Avoiding bias is also possible when one settles for what they really like. Protecting against conforming to the tastes and preferences of others is a healthy strategy to avoid possible bias. Permitting others to guide you on what to read is a good idea, but one should not abandon their own areas of interest. People tend to limit their reading or exploratory reading by listening to what other people prefer especially the bestsellers, which is a wrong way of approaching a reading material or a library. Additionally, allowing one to succumb to the latest publication craze or reading the right books is also dangerous. An individual should understand their reading taste before settling for a resources center. Personally, I prefer my favorite story written in either baroque, prosaic prose, or extravagant poetry, meaning that I will settle for a center that has reading materials that are consistent with my taste. It the means that I will mainly look for a center that has all the necessary appeals that interest me. Establishing the right preferences depends on the favorite stories that include movies, books, and plays. The choice will then depend on whether I will be looking for a narrative non-fiction or a novel and if the center stocks such. I will settle on a library after determining that the services offered are consistent with my preferences.

References

Fourie, I., Bothma, T. J., & Bitso, C. (2013). Trends in transition from classical censorship to Internet censorship: selected country overviews. Innovation: journal of appropriate librarianship and information work in Southern Africa, 2013(46), 166-191.

Kuhn, A. (2016). Cinema, Censorship and Sexuality 1909-1925 (Routledge Revivals). Routledge.

Rubin, R., & Froehlich, T. J. (2017). Ethical aspects of library and information science. In Encyclopedia of Library and information Sciences (pp. 1468-1482). CRC Press.

Saunders, L. (2013, April). Information as weapon: Propaganda, politics, and the role of the library. In Imagine, Innovate, Inspire: The Proceedings of the Acrl 2013 Conference.