Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sega]

Today I was hindered with a small problem. I am basically a student, studying in the field of television. I am currently living in the UK and as you probably know some television stations show things that can and are perceived as insulting and at times racist. I am sure you can think of many examples.

I was faced with a small problem, basically it is to do with freedom of speech. Some shows in today's world are impacting on children in a negative fashion and some even offend ethnic minorities in order to make their audience laugh.

In a real-world situation (not on TV; living in UK), if I was to insult somebody and make fun of his/her race that person is well within his right as an 'individual' to take me to court as sue me, and if there were any witnesses or evidence to backup his argument he would probably win. Alternatively if I were to bad-mouth a company, even if I did have a reason for it, they might take me to court and win due to defemation or slander (can't remember which one).

How come television stations in the UK and elsewhere (US) are getting away with creating storyboards which contain and promote racists tones when individuals can't.

When I expressed my opinion to my boss she claimed that we need to protect 'freedom of speech' and that it would not be right to censor television.

I would be interested to what people think.

[i]What are your views on this subject.
Is she right?
Am I wrong?
Should television be censored?
Is bad television negatively impacting on society?
Are the Spanish-style love shows in Cyprus affecting the Cypriot youth?
Are the youth reflecting what is being shown on television?[/i]

[Sega]

Is there no opinions out there?

[zan]

Hi Sega

I am interested to know what programs you are talking about. I was under the impression that the UK was being ultra cautious on this one and cannot think which programs are going against this. Could you give me a few examples.

[Sega]

1. South Park
2. Ali G
3. Borat the Movie
4. Beavis and Butthead

I am sure there is other programs too.

Basically just go on Sky, the service is full of it. The BBC is brilliant, excellent service, but Sky no way compares.

[Sega]

Sky is like the Greek LTV or I think the recent service by Cyta, can't remember whats is called. My cousins have it though.

[karma]

1. South Park
2. Ali G
3. Borat the Movie
4. Beavis and Butthead

I am sure there is other programs too.

Basically just go on Sky, the service is full of it. The BBC is brilliant, excellent service, but Sky no way compares.

I only know about Borat, it was an awful, disgusting movie..humiliating Kazakhstan so badly...I hated it and I hate tht guy too

[Sega]

I agree 110%, a horrible racist movie.

[miltiades]

You are wrong. We have fought hard in the West to sustain freedom of speech .The UK media , TV , newspapers etc are on the whole pretty fair when it comes to racial issues. You can not deny people the right to free speech , and I do not mean the right to incite violence or the right to publicly express support for terrorist activities. The UK is far more tolerant than any other nation on earth. Immigrants who come to the UK must have the sense to appreciate our way of life and abide by our rules and regulations failing which they have a perfect right to return to their native lands.
The UK has offered sanctuary and a standard of living undreamed of in third world countries , immigrants must respect the native culture or piss off .

[T_C]

Oh come on, it wasn't that bad! Borat was hilarious. It wasn't racist, it was more insulting to the USA then it was to Kazaks. Their tourism went sky high after the film so its not like people were looking down on them like "EWWW".

I kind of get why people didn't like it though and yeah maybe it may of been percived as racist but I didn't think it was so bad that it should of been banned. (ZZZZZ'NICE!)

South Park is another story. I love watching it but I've heard some really bad insulting things on there...

[zan]

I don't know much about Southpark and I have not got SKY because I think there is enough rubbish on TV without paying for more but aren't these programs supposed to be satirical.