Censorship of Films in the UAE Case Study

Abstract

Censorship of films in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a major ethical dilemma as reflected in the case study analysis because the practice contravenes the freedom of media. Censorship of films with obscene contents is ethically and morally right because this choice is significant for the majority of the population. It is also morally ethical to censor films to satisfy the greater population.

This is because it “does good” to the larger society as it prevents movie viewers and cinema-goers from viewing films that have violence, strong language, and sexual content. Moreover, it ensures that the cultural values of the society are upheld.

Introduction

Although most societies in the world are democracies, nevertheless they still practice media censorship. According to Reinhard (2007), censorship is defined as “the official government suppression of any public expression that a governing authority believes to threaten either its power or the accepted social and moral order” (p. 164).

This means that the government uses the available forces to hide any information deemed obscene or threatening the accepted moral and social order. In this context, the report paper evaluates the censorship of films in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The analysis of the paper will be carried in light of ethical principles and theories.

The Situation or Issue

Heavy film censorship is a major practice in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Before movies and films are made available in local theatres, the government censors most of the content and frequently cuts out obscene parts such as kissing and sexual scenes. Additionally, comments deemed to be blasphemous and propane is cut from the original film before its debut in the local theatres.

Films such as “Escape Plan,” and “The Real Top Gun: Blue Angels and Thunderbirds” were censored before they were released for public viewing (Associated Press, 2012). The “Escape Plan” was banned in the UAE because one of the characters in the move was cursing in Arabic (Associated Press, 2012). The National Media Council (NMC) regulatory body officials stated that the “Sex and the City 2” was censored because “the theme of the film does not fit with our cultural values” (Kantaria, 2010).

This is an indication that film censorship in the UAE is carried out to suppress any information that is deemed obscene or that dents the moral fabric of society. For these reasons, the issue of film censorship versus free speech and freedom of expression emerges as they conflict with the freedom of the media.

Analysis

Deontological theory and utilitarianism theory are the major ones used to analyze issues related to ethics and ethical issues. Deontological theory “focuses on the action and the intention behind it, and claims that some actions are inherently wrong, and cannot be justified” (Pennsylvania State University, 2013, p.1). This means that people have the choice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is not. On the other hand, the utilitarianism theory is based on goodness and what satisfies most people in society.

Based on the deontological theory, it is the duty of the National Media Council (NMC) regulatory body officials in the UAE to censor films and media content that is not aligned to the moral fiber of the Muslim community. Additionally, they are required to censor any content that conflicts with the culture of the people.

However, as depicted in the deontological theory, conflict arises if actions do not support the welfare of other people in society. Nonetheless, the censorship of films with blasphemous and propane comments and obscene contents is ethical and morally right because this is what is considered as ethical by film regulatory officials in the UAE.

Act utilitarianism focuses on the realization of maximum good from an action. However, individual rights seem to be violated under utilitarianism theory for the benefit of the greater population (Rainbow, 2002). For example, censorship is used to remove content that could be harmful to the morality of minors and children.

This is intended to safeguard the welfare of the greater society. Therefore, under the theory, oppressing the minority to benefit the majority is acceptable and ethical. In the rights ethical theory, society determines what is right and good, and it chooses what it wants to uphold (Rainbow, 2002). Concerning censorship in the UAE, the NMC has stated that films are censored if they fail to fit into the cultural values of the society.

The principle of beneficence, which is closely related to utilitarian ethical theory, stipulates that the priority to any ethical dilemma is to “do good” (Rainbow, 2002). It proposes that actions carried should be geared towards doing good to benefit the majority of the people in the society. Therefore, film censorship “does good” to society as it prevents the audience from viewing films and movies with violence, strong language, and sexuality.

In this context, the principle of beneficence, coupled with the utilitarian ethical theory supports censorship of films in the UAE. Kantaria (2010) has opined that cinema goers have become used to film censorship in the UAE. However, editing of films makes them lose the plot and, as such, individual rights are infringed at the expense of others.

Decision Arrived

The decision of the government of the UAE to censor films is ethically and morally acceptable as it protects the cultural values of the Muslim society. From a utilitarian point of view, the media regulatory body has moral rights to undertake film censorship, since utilitarianism is based on the ideal belief in the decency of any act and what satisfies most people in the society.

It also gives the greatest advantage for the majority of the population (Borcoman, 2012). In this context, film censorship is carried in the UAE to hold back any content that is perceived as obscene or that dents the moral fabric of the society. Moreover, it ensures that blasphemous and propane comments and obscene contents are removed to satisfy the needs of the majority. Drawing from the rights ethical theory, the action by the government could be considered as reasonable because the ruling class approves it (Borcoman, 2012).

Although this kind of decision is contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as it undermines freedom of expression and freedom of the media, it is fair to censor films which have obscene content. Moreover, the UAE ethical systems are based on a culture that detests irreligious and propane comments and obscene contents as they do not fall under the teaching of Islam. The influence of Islamic persuasion detests the viewing of films with kissing and sexual scenes as well as offensive comments.

Conclusion

The ethical issue that rises is the censorship of films by the government in the UAE. From the report, censorship of films in the UAE is an ethical practice, which is morally justified. This is because it upholds to the cultural values of society. Additionally, the deontological theory requires the National Media Council (NMC) regulatory body to censor films and media content that does not align with the moral fiber of the community or which conflicts with the culture of the people.

Also, the UAE film censorship “does good” to the larger society as it prevents movie viewers from watching films that have violence, strong language, and sexuality content. From a personal perspective, it is morally ethical to censor films to satisfy the majority of the population.

Reference List

Associated Press. (2012). Dubai censors Stallone, Schwarzenegger movie ‘Escape Plan. Washington Times. Web.

Borcoman, D. (2012). Descriptions of ethical theories and principles. Web.

Kantaria, A. (2010). “Sex and The City 2” – set in Abu Dhabi but banned in the UAE. Web.

Pennsylvania State University. (2013). Ethical theories. Web.

Rainbow, C. (2002). Descriptions of ethical theories and principles. Web.

Reinhard, C. (2007). The Ethics of Censorship: Should Governments Cover Our Children’s Eyes? Web.