NCJ Number
160260
Date Published
1995
Length
10 pages
Annotation
By taking an extreme anti-censorship, anti-regulation stance, liberals have lost public support for their views on media violence; a more moderate approach could unite conservatives and liberals to find creative, effective solutions to media violence.
Abstract
Liberals have often failed to appreciate the legitimate concerns that many Americans have about the values, images, and concepts to which their children are exposed in the popular media, as they oppose all efforts to restrain negative influences in society. Conservatives, on the other hand, believe they are justified in silencing or severely restraining all values, thoughts, and behaviors that do not comply with their views. What progressives must do is refuse to join the herd mentality of either of these extreme positions; they must reject both supporters of censorship as the first and best option and the laissez-faire advocates of art for art's sake. Progressives must raise a loud voice in defense of free expression and all other humanistic values, but when the former is used to negate the latter, objections must be raised. By refusing to caricature or demonize those with whom we disagree, and admitting that we hold no monopoly on truth or tolerance, we can begin to formulate a more positive response to the issue of offensive art. When we find a common ground of concern about the cultural values being promoted through the popular media, then ways must be found to mitigate the harmful effects of those values, short of censorship.