Moral Implications of Media Violence and Its Affects On Society - Research Paper Example

Moral Implications of Media Violence And Its Effects on Society Moral Implications of Media Violence and Its Effects on SocietyOne is a firm advocate of freedom of expression; but at the same time, one strongly contends that there is indeed a moral and ethical responsibility of media practitioners to ensure that messages that are relayed through various media forms are monitored and screened according to their target audience. In an article published online entitled “Code of Ethics for Bloggers, Social Media and Content Creators” written by Rand-Hendriksen (2011), it was specifically noted that “Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Information and Freedom of Content Creation, Publication and Expression, whether in print, in hypertext, in audio or video are basic elements of a democracy.

The ability to produce and distribute independent content is among the most important rights in a democratic society” (Rand-Hendriksen: Long Version, 2011, par. 1). Despite support to freedom of expression, there is still a need to enforce gun control laws, for instance, where failure to restrict purchase and use have been proven to endanger the lives of children and those around them. As emphasized by President Clinton in response to the Littletons Columbine High School shootings, “access to weapons was greater in the United States than anywhere else in the world, and pledged to continue to work for legislation that would help keep guns out of the wrong hands” (CNN Politics, 1999).

Media should also have the ethical responsibility to remind children of the danger of using guns and enforce strict restrictions to access and use through legislative policies that propose strict sanctions for violations.One therefore agrees that it is acceptable opinion based on moral reasoning to justify banning of violent content for programs that could be viewed and accessed by children and teen-agers on identified time slots, in addition to provision of classifying television programs to include strict parental guidance and restricted, as needed.

According to a report published by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “the problem is not that the broadcast TV networks can no longer discern contemporary community standards. The problem is that they long ago stopped caring much about these standards” (p. 16). It finally confirmed that “among those very important tasks are maintaining a decent society, protecting the privacy of the home, and protecting children” (Federal Communications Commission, n.d., p. 35).ReferencesCNN Politics.

(1999, April 22). Clinton discusses school violence with high schoolers. Retrieved August 21, 2012, from articles.cnn.com: http://articles.cnn.com/1999-04-22/politics/clinton.shooting_1_school-violence-clinton-said-the-president-assault-weapons-ban?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICSFederal Communications Commission. (n.d.). BRIEF AMICUS CURIAE OF MORALITY IN MEDIA, INC.: IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONERS. Retrieved August 21, 2012, from hraunfoss.fcc.gov: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-309603A1.

docRand-Hendriksen, M. (2011). Code of Ethics for Bloggers, Social Media and Content Creators. Retrieved August 21, 2012, from Design is Philosophy: http://designisphilosophy.com/code-of-ethics-for-bloggers-social-media-and-content-creators/