I think you are going to get a variety of answers and
opinions to this question. Most people have highly mixed views on censorship - be it
governmental, corporate or other.
Generally speaking,
corporate censorship can be looked at as censorship - the
prevention of companies or persons within them from basic freedom of speech - at the
risk of job loss, fines, other monetary penalties. Those who believe in absolute
freedom of speech would argue that this is an infringement of that right. Any of the
arguments against any kind of censorship could be applicable
here.
I think where corporate censorship is the most
prominent is in the television industry. It has been argued that sponsors and
advertisors censor things that may result in negative advertising for their product - or
advertising for the competition. Many news stations are subject to the censorship of
running certain stories or pressured to run them in certain ways. The obvious negative
effects here are that what is being shown to the general public on TV is being
controlled by capitalism - rather than by humanism or anything else. Some find this a
little disheartening.
On the other side however, corporate
censorship is a way for companies to protect themselves from comments that come from
within that could result in bad press, loss of prestige/reputation, and ultimately
money.
No comments:
Post a Comment