Personal+Liberties

=__PERSONAL LIBERTIES__=

=**I. Censorship**=

1. The denial of freedom of speech or freedom of the press. 2. The review of books, movies, etc., to prohibit publication and distribution, usually for reasons of morality or state security. --//Oran////'s Dictionary of Law// The [|US Bill of Rights] guarantees the rights of citizens to speak and publish freely. Nevertheless, certain forms of speech, such as [|obscenity] and [|libel], are restricted by the government in the majority of media outlets.
 * Definition-**

Broadcast media censorship
The [|Federal Communications Commission] (FCC) regulates "indecent" [|free-to-air] broadcasting. It can issue fines if, for example, the broadcaster employs certain [|swear words]. Radio personality [|Howard Stern] has been a frequent target of fines. This led to his leaving broadcast radio and signing on with [|Sirius Satellite Radio] in [|2004]. The [|Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy] increased the political pressure on the FCC to vigorously police the airwaves. In addition, [|Congress] increased the maximum fine the FCC may levy from US $268,500 to US $375,000 per incident. Critics of Television Broadcast Media throughout the latter half of the 20th century on into the 21st have expressed their concerns regarding the filtration of content being offered to citizens of the United States through the modern-day journalism platform. They argue that media conglomerates within the U.S. are responsible for painting a very limited/pointed picture of U.S. government involvement throughout the world, and further argue that this causes uninformed political support by U.S. citizens. Derived from http://www.answers.com/topic/censorship-in-the-united-states

Should the government censor lyrics of songs that are violent or expletive, for example “gangsta” rap? There is an ongoing debate about the impact of music on certain listeners – especially music such as « gangsta » rap, with lyrics linked to violence and illegal acts. There is widespread disagreement, for example between the music industry and parents’ groups, about the effect such music has on young listeners, and their behaviour, i.e. does it encourage them to behave in a particular way? Pro Argument- The government has a moral legitimacy in censoring. People correctly look to the government as the public arbiter of common morals, for the wider social good. It is in line with this role, therefore, for the government to take such steps as it thinks necessary to protect the public morality. This may include censorship of things which are likely to cause moral harm, an approach often manifested in e.g. film classification schemes.
 * Censorship of Gangsta Rap**

Con Argument- Government censorship is a dangerous form of statist control. Even if one accepts the argument for some limited form of government censorship to protect public morals, this needs to be very precisely and conservatively defined to avoid the slippery slope towards creeping totalitarianism. Allowing censorship of popular culture on grounds that the lyrics are mildly subversive is unwelcome as it incorporates a very expansive view of the proper ambit of government regulation. This issue is properly the concern of parents, who should take more interest in, and responsibility for, the music (and films, TV, internet use) to which their children are exposed.

**II. The Right to Bear Arms- Gun Control vs. Gun Rights**
The debate over gun ownership is centered on the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which protects "the right of the people to keep and bear arms." Gun control advocates believe that right does not extend to ownership of military-style firearms that are otherwise known as assault weapons. They point to incidents such as the Columbine high school massacre in April 1999, which resulted in the deaths of 14 students (including the two gunmen) and a teacher, in support of banning assault weapons. They also support measures intended to curb gun-related violence, such as mandatory child safety locks, background checks on those wishing to purchase a gun, limits on the number of guns a person can buy and raising the age limit for gun ownership. Gun rights groups, led by the [|National Rifle Association], argue that these and other proposals infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. They maintain that bans on the sale of certain types of weapons have not proved effective in reducing violent crime, and that proposals for stricter background checks at gun shows are designed to eliminate gun shows themselves. Some gun manufacturers have volunteered support for safety locks, but the NRA has criticized safety locks for placing an undue burden on gun manufacturers without a proven benefit to the public.

**III. Protest Rights**
Protesting is an important civil right and a good way to increase awareness and gain support for important issues. Ideally, protesting can influence key decision-makers such as people in government or organisations. Protesting can take a variety of forms including rallies, petitions and boycotts.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Huge crowds of anti-war demonstrators jammed into midtown New York on Saturday as protesters in dozens of U.S. cities joined large crowds worldwide in voicing opposition to war with Iraq. Demonstrators converged near the United Nations to protest the possible war in just one of the more than 600 anti-war rallies around the globe. Organizers estimated the crowd at more than 375,000, but Police Commissioner Ray Kelly estimated turnout at 100,000. Besides protests in large cities such as Chicago, Illinois; and Los Angeles, California; rallies were held across the United States in smaller towns such as Gainesville, Georgia; Macomb, Illinois; and Juneau, Alaska, according to the anti-war group United for Peace and Justice. ([|Full story]) In New York on Saturday, a giant puppet depicting President Bush holding buckets of blood and oil towered over the cheering crowd that was pressed against police barricades near U.N. headquarters. The main demonstration stretched 20 blocks down First Avenue, and overflowed onto Second and Third avenues as more people tried to reach the rally. Although organizers said 312 people were arrested, police said 50 were arrested, and a CNN producer reported seeing police use pepper spray on demonstrators. Although most protests were peaceful, police arrested 34 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on failure to disperse and other charges. Police used pepper spray and tear gas to break up the group. After one person threw a tear gas canister back toward the officers, police fired rubber bullets at him and used a stun gun.