Censorship can never be justified. Do you agree?

It rather depends on how you define censorship and justified. Censorship yes, but to what degree? Justifiable, again, to what extent?

There is no denying that censorship has positive effects. It filters the possible bad influences from us, say, extreme gore in movies and television programs. It prevents our kids from being overly exposed to unruly, 'loose' sexual references and behaviour. In short, it helps to shield us from the negative 'aura' that the media exudes, and protects our children.

But people do feel otherwise. Censorship restricts us; what we see, hear, listen to. It smothers freedom. Most importantly, it is antagonistic to the idea of freedom of speech and democracy that so many countries are pushing for. Some governments too recognise censorship as a tool to block out its opposing voices. This is but an example of the many instances where censorship is abused.

Do we do away with it? I think not. It is beneficial, like it or not. It is essential. Freedom of speech should be adopted and practised. But when it gets out of hand, which it usually does, censorship is the buffer we rely on to prevent unrest in our communities.