[RJ1]

Well, I have to do a persuasive speech for Honors English 2. I chose two topics that are highly related: Should media be censored and Should media be regulated. My teacher told me to merge the two topics together if i wanted too. I guess that is what I shall do.

I'm not sure how I am gonna go about doing this. I have to make points that will persuade people to believe my view about the topic. But i'm not really sure what my opinion really is. This is probably because people can handle different things when it concerns media (ex. if you don't like violence, you won't like Kill Bill Vol.1).

In the spirit of research, I want to know your opinions. Should media be censored and/or regulated?

(Note* I'm trying to go on the non-religious route with most of my supporting details on my speech*)

[Nate]

What all does "media" entail for your purposes?

If this is a persuasive essay attempting to convince people of YOUR opinion, then why are you trying to leave religion out? Assuming you are even a semi-devout Christian, your morality system is based on religion and your opinion on this issue is probably biased in one way or another by religion. Your speech certainly shouldn't focus on religion as being the best support you can offer for your position, but I wouldn't shy away from the whole religion issue altogether (unless you feel it will adversely affect your grade).

In His love,
Nate

[RJ1]

Originally Posted by Nate

What all does "media" entail for your purposes?

If this is a persuasive essay attempting to convince people of YOUR opinion, then why are you trying to leave religion out? Assuming you are even a semi-devout Christian, your morality system is based on religion and your opinion on this issue is probably biased in one way or another by religion. Your speech certainly shouldn't focus on religion as being the best support you can offer for your position, but I wouldn't shy away from the whole religion issue altogether (unless you feel it will adversely affect your grade).

In His love,
Nate

What i meant by going on the non-religious route was using my religion as a main support for my opinions. I should have made that clear. I wasn't planning on shying away from religion altogether.

By media I mean movies, television, music, books, et cetera. If that answers your first question...

[H.M. Murdock]

Yes. The media should be censored/restricted. But that goes against the Constitution, which is what you should measure such a speech against. Read the first ten amendments and formulate ideas.

Freedom of expression/speech is the most common defense against them.
Here is one Supreme Court case that deals with the topic.
National Endowment for Arts versus Finley [1998]
More Supreme Court cases can be found here.
Try to base the speech as much in law and history as you can. Morality just muddies the waters with persuasive speaking.

[Luke1910]

The idea of a persuasive speech and/or essay is to take YOUR opinion and persuade your readers to also believe that way you do. You must consider and ackonwledge the other opinion as well, and in a sense disprove it in order to persuade effectively. for example, "Although many critics believe..." or " Many supporters of ...believe that..., but....". I don't know if you needed that kind of advice, but I thought I would tell ya anywho.

as for my personal opinion, media needs more regulation. I mean we do have the FCC who handles media regulation and gives out fines for violations, but sometimes ya gotta wonder.. how much is too much? and how much are we just gonna stand by and watch leak onto our screens or into our ears..etc. But then again you do have the option of turning off the television, not going to the movies, or turning off the radio. I guess I am kinda in the middle on this one.

[RJ1]

Well my speech has been completed and graded. I received a 48 on the written portion of my speech and a 43 on my oral presentation. My total is well a 91.

Apparently I have problems looking at the class while talking which messed me up on my oral presentation grade. I am still pleased though. Thanks for all of your help!

[Nate]

Pretty good grade (I'm assuming that's out of 100, yes?). You should be proud.

In His love,
Nate

[jbm222]

Well it's a little late since you already got your grade... but just to throw in my 2c anyway....

I do not believe media of any kind should be censored by the government. It is up to each and every individual (or his or her parents as the case may be) to determine what media is and is not appropriate for viewing/ listening/ reading. Censoring media on any wide scale level only limits the 1st amendment rights of those producing it. I'm really not even a big fan of rating systems because they give people a mindless cop-out way to determine what is and isn't appropriate for their children to watch and I think a parent should play a slightly more active role and deciding what they want their 8yr old watching than to just look at a rating.

About the only exception where I think censorship should be allowed is for school internet filters for any pre-highschool grades. Obivously some 2nd grader should be accidentally going to porn sites when they're trying to look up Blues Clues. But these can get ridiculous when you get into later middle school and high school because they often block legitimate sites that are usefull for research projects.

So in a nutshell, NO!!! ..........most of the time

[RJ1]

Originally Posted by Nate

Pretty good grade (I'm assuming that's out of 100, yes?). You should be proud.

In His love,
Nate

Yes that is out of a 100, and thanks.

[zekthedeadcow]

No, the audience should be educated and able to determin when they are being influenced. People believe what they are told and like what they are told is good.. so if people can make their own determination any unethical use of the media is limited.