On Censorship

Although I don't agree with censorship in general. I will admit that keeping certain things away from children is a good thing. Obviously, children, as they grow up will find ways around your censors. If they don't, there is either something wrong with them, or worse, something wrong with you. The important thing is; when they find that they are being, or have been, prevented from seeing something, it is important that you can explain why you tried to protect them from it. Another time censoring things is beneficial, even crucial, is during a police investigation and subsequent court case. Occasions when the meeja have printed things without any thought except to their own coffers, have prejudiced sensitive cases. On other occasions when someone has been arrested, the meeja have run stories about the arrested person. When they were subsequently proven innocent, the meeja does nothing to recompense their victim, but just go on to ruin someone else's life.   Censorship in 'news' papers, or in the meeja in general is rife. Anyone with money can prevent stories being written about them, even if the stories are true. However, at the other end of the scale, papers can, and often do, make things up. If it you they are libeling and you are not loaded with money, you can safely say your reputation will be shot. Even if you put up a fight and win, the best you can expect is a retraction, printed upside down in 1 point, on the bottom of page 35. Or perhaps costs. Seriously out of pocket you will be.
Now as we know, the Americans (Well, not all of them) appear to want to censor the internet. Their excuse is Anti-Piracy. Well, I suspect that will be doomed to failure. America. Where people have guns, and strong views on the freedom of speech. I suspect, that if they got their way, it wouldn't be just Anti-Piracy, but electronic McCarthyism. No proof would be needed, nor proffered, for 'wrong' doing, they will cheerfully infringe other countries rights too. This will play nicely into the hands of other loony countries, removing even the faint opportunity of free speech of their beleaguered populace.