Introduction
Situational Definition of Media Censorship
Censorship refers to the act of regulating content that media outlets transmit to the public. It is important because it deters them from distributing offensive content to the public. Essentially, it helps curb cases of misunderstanding that emanate from unregulated exposure to material. Magoon (2010) believes that television programs, movies, plays, art and speech can be censored (p. 8). Many countries have media censorship policies and United Arab Emirates is no exception. The ministry of communication in many countries compels media houses to conform to the set rules and regulations before distributing to content to the public. Poor observation of the rules may lead to the closure of the media house, lawsuit or prosecution of the person in question. In United Arab Emirates, it is the Telecommunication Authority which controls media activities. Therefore, all the media firms ought to comply with its regulations.
The ethical theory suggests that any material meant for public attention should not arouse underlying emotions from a negative perspective. Similarly, it should take care of the interests of the target population. Ethics guide the way people live and relate to each other. Hence, a strained relationship in the society amounts to non-peaceful coexistence. Advertisers ought to maintain the highest level of integrity when crafting adverts.
Media Censorship: Analysis of United Arab Emirates
The media censorship policies in the United Arab Emirates have gained significantly. It is rare to find offensive material in many of its media channels. However, it should do more to ensure that unrated material is not readily available. The media censorship bodies may tighten the regulations and seal all the loopholes that may allow explicit material to reach public attention either through advertisements or films. It is a fact the media censorship authority in United Arab Emirates believes that the public regardless of their age are vulnerable to inappropriate material. Therefore, it ought to address the issues from the roots to fix all the loopholes that allow offensive material reach the unintended audience. The marketers should design their adverts in a manner is eye catching yet pleasing to the audience.
United Arab Emirates government has serious restrictive policies to media houses especially those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Hence, many of them complain that the restrictions limit their freedom of expression. United Arab Emirates is so far one of the most conservative nations in the Middle East in terms of media freedom. Its federal laws empower censorship authorities to examine the content in publications before the media houses distribute them to the public. However, the Emirates’ government has been criticized for its intolerance to any form of criticism just like was the case in America in the ancient decades (Foerstel, 1998).
Cases of journalists complaining of prosecution under the federal penal code in United Arab Emirates are not rare. Therefore, many of them have resulted to self-censorship to escape problems. Media professionals limit their coverage of local politics and any other issue that touches on the ruling class to avoid conflicts with the government. Berger (2014) adds “the UAE keeps tight control over media and political expression is particularly sensitive to international scrutiny of its record of human rights abuses” (n. p). The only area in United Arab Emirates where there is significant media freedom is the Dubai Media Free Zone (DMFZ). In the zone, international media houses prepare and transmit the material to the public. Therefore, the zone houses popular media houses such as the Cable News Network among others. However, they must abide by the press laws and are subject to the penal code.
The Essence of the Decision to Censor Media United Arab Emirates
Censorship is important to ensure that all the information reaching the public do not violate the laws. Therefore, the United Arab Emirates media authority screens all the information before media houses release it to ensure that it does not arouse ill feelings, spread hatred or breed enmity among the citizens. Similarly, the information should not spread propaganda or incite people into negative criticism in a manner that may cause harm to the country or its people.
Media censorship protects minors such as underage children from explicit material such as pornography and violence. Children tend to imitate many of the occurrences in the immediate environment (Caso, 2008). Therefore, viewing such material is likely to encourage them practice the activities portrayed in the media. Studies reveal that exposing children to such material influences them to imitate violent tendencies in future. They may adopt violent methods of solving problems because they may not understand that violent games may be just fiction. If they are exposed to pornography at a tender age, they may adopt the habit later in life and engage in erotic behaviors such as rape and sodomy. Therefore, media censorship is essential to protect children from negative virtues and juvenile delinquency.
Media censorship is imperative in deterring social conflict between people of different cultural and racial affiliations. Unfortunately, some people express racism over the media; thus, causing racial intolerance. Media censorship prevents such utterances from leaking to the public. Hence, chances of conflict between people of different races living in the United Arab Emirates reduce significantly. Moreover, it helps curb religious and cultural intolerance among people. When the authorities compel the media to release information that is friendly to people of all races and religions, cases of intolerance are unlikely to emanate. Notably, media censorship controls the data that people access through the media. The authorities ensure that the content conform to the society’s expectations. In essence, the authority assumes that all members of the society are vulnerable to offensive media content.
The local government of United Arab Emirates should censor media firms to maintain compact social relations. Censorship bodies have the duty of regulating the types of advertisements that appear on media platforms such radios, newspapers and television channels among others. It should authorize the rating of films to ensure that they do not land in the wrong audience. The government may license editions of magazines to operate in United Arab Emirates. Such editions may sensitively address the issues that affect the citizens of United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the magazines give them a chance to air their grievances and contribute to community development forums. However, some talk time shows that spread unacceptable ideas should be banned. All the programs ought to conform to the rules and regulations of the censorship body to avoid social conflict.
Conclusion
Media such a national newspapers may name people convicted of serious crimes to warn the citizens. Firstly, such notifications help in community policing to help law enforcers trace criminals with the help of the citizens. Secondly, it helps the national government fight crime and radical individuals who are a serious security threat to the nation. The United Arab Emirates government ought to censor its media to restrict the display of explicit female images. Being a predominantly Muslim nation, it is unacceptable for females to expose explicit images on social media. Although social media is open to all people, it is unethical for people to post explicit personal pictures on media. Such images rip off the society of its social fabric and brainwash young children who are very imitative. Satellite television providers may collude with other stakeholders in the media industry to ensure that the content is appropriate for the specified audience. Additionally, the ministry of education and its stakeholders ought to evaluate the contents of the school syllabus/curriculum. Information is power; thus, curriculum developers should include intellectually verified material that builds learners and makes them productive members of the society.
References
Berger, M. (201). New York Times Censored over Article on Labor Abuse at NYU’s Abu Dhabi Campus. Buzz Feed News. Web.
Caso, F. (2008). Censorship. New York: Infobase Publishers Foerstel, H. N. (1998). Banned in the Media: A Reference Guide to Censorship in the
Press, Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Internet. Westport: Greenwood Press.Magoo n, K. (2010). Media Censorship. Minnesota: ABDO Publishing Company.