NOEL

The discussion surrounding the 'banning' of certain songs from the airwaves will not go away, especially since it has broadened into the area of what drivers of public passenger vehicles should be permitted to play to entertain their passengers.

It has now led to discussions about pornographic literature and about what can be done to prevent what we consider lewd dancing at carnival time. And this is a good thing. Issues as important as these should remain in the mind of the public.

I am almost instinctively against censorship. I accept that we need to protect our children from influences we consider corrupting, and that there are some things that we object to seeing or hearing because we consider them visually or aurally offensive.

But if we find something offensive and the majority of others find it harmless and pleasant entertainment, do we have the right to ban it?

DANGEROUS POSITION

Recently, while discussing the issue regarding the choice of literature texts for CXC, the minister of education said to me that he had to ensure that proper moral standards were maintained even if his actions in doing so did not meet the approval of the majority of the teachers of literature, or the parents of the children being taught.

The minister should be commended for his sincerity and his desire to do what is right, but it is a dangerous position to take. Any ruler who legislates morality is walking a tightrope. In a society as diverse as ours, it is wrong to force what a minority considers propel moral behaviour on the majority of the people.

Bullying others

This is the general attitude of religious fundamentalism but one of the problems of all Christian fundamentalism is that [especially after they 'pray about it'] its adherents believe that their decisions are guided, even directed, by the Holy Spirit of God Almighty.

This is dangerous, because it can lead to the thinking that anyone who opposes their decisions is actually doing the work of the devil! It, therefore, blocks all opportunity for discussion and compromise. They are, therefore, often tempted to bully others into accepting their behavioural codes

And this is why the Rampin' Shop discussion was useful. After hearing many of the views expressed, I am convinced that if a poll were taken it would reveal that a great majority of our citizens would agree that songs with explicit sexual content should not be heard on the radio or on local television.

This, despite the disappointingly disrespectful and surprisingly intellectually dishonest comments made by Dr Carolyn Cooper when she was responding to statements made by the principal of Ardenne High School.

I still am amazed to think that, in response to the principal's statement that most of her girls thought the song too vulgar in its explicit sexual references, Dr Cooper could respond by saying, dismissively, that most students say what they think their teachers want to hear. Dr Cooper obviously has not been anywhere near a 21st-century classroom!

On the other hand, Vox Populi Vox Dei is not a truism. It is, therefore, acceptable, even necessary, for a government to make decisions concerning what is best for the nation.

Clear-headed censorship board

But if we do need to censor (and it seems clear that we do), we need to set up a censorship board with persons who are clear-headed, intellectually competent, sensitive to the nuances of our society, and who understand artistic thought and including a couple persons of a radical bent, a couple ultra-conservatives and representatives of groups like Women's Media Watch. In this way, on most issues, they would hear the arguments of the extremes.

I would hate to see the day when the authorities ban a play because of its content. It may start because of the sexual content, but may spread to the fact that its message is atheistic, or calls for the acceptance of homosexuality, or Islam, or is simply anti the ruling party!

Censorship is a dangerous tool of government. Let us take great care how we use it.

Keith Noel is an educator and dramatist. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.