Censorship in Media By Desiree Pratt

Censorship in the media is an important issue that affects how people understand what is happening in the world. Media includes news outlets, social media, television, and other platforms that share information with the public. Censorship happens when certain information is blocked, limited, or removed before people can see it. While censoring can sometimes be helpful it can also cause serious problems when information is hidden.

Some people believe censorship depends on the type of information being withheld. Dr. Bailey, a Business teacher at Hillgrove, states, “Depends on what said information is. I think if it's something critical that the American people should know, I think media outlets should be transparent about that. For example, if something's going on, that might be considered top secret, but it's vital for the American people to know so they can make decisions based on that. I think it's something that we should know.” This explains they not all information should be treated the same. If something is happening that could affect people's safety or a major decision, hiding it may do more harm than good. Even if the information is considered a “top secret”, it can still be impossible for the public to know so they can make informed choices.

Another major issue connected to censorship is media bias. Even when information is not fully censored, the way it is presented can influence how people think. David Matthews, a Senior at Hillgrove, expressed, “I think that subconsciously, everyone, like, gets a bias from the media that they view. I mean, just depending on what news network you watch, you're going to go into, like, certain news events with, you know, different like, outlooks on them, like it's either, you know, you see it one way, or you see it another. And the way you see that event kind of shapes the way you see everything else. And so it kind of, I guess, like almost, mind controls you into seeing the same thing.” Different news networks often show the same event in different ways. Depending on which source someone watches, they may form completely different opinions about the same situation. This can shape how people view not just one event, but many others too.

Censorship in the media is a complicated issue. While some censorship can protect people from harm, too much of it can hide important truths and influence public opinion. Media transparency and awareness of bias are important so people can think critically and make informed decisions.