TV shows banned for negative impact

by Tausha Rosen, staff writer

Censorship has become a topic that appears more and more frequently in the news.

Television shows are constantly looking for new ways to increase their number of viewers. The way they do this is by showing more PG-13 and R-rated topics on air.

These adult shows that are becoming more socially acceptable include popular series such as “South Park” and “Family Guy.”

Any parent with common sense would not let their children watch these shows, but it seems as if youth is becoming more corrupt with every day that passes. With the technologies that exist today in America, parents can put parental blocks on their televisions, or at least discipline their children who break their rules and watch the shows.

People cannot say that they have no control over what their children see on television, because that is exactly what parents are for. They supply their children with a healthy environment in which to grow and develop. If they do not want their sons and daughters to have access to unpleasant things, all they have to do is take control.

 It has come to a point when foreign countries are taking action against these shows to get them off the air. The most recent is Russia, which has suggested to their government to rid their nation of “South Park,” “Family Guy,” and “The Simpsons,” -- shows that they have titled, “Extremist.”

They believe their children and adults should not have to be subjected to such slander and racism.

To me, this makes sense. But in the same token, they are taking away entertainment. I am sure that not everyone in Russia wants these shows to be cancelled, because, while very insulting, “South Park,” for example, does not discriminate against just one particular group or religion. They attack everyone. Jews, Christians, Muslims, homosexuals, and many, many more are fair game to creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

“South Park’s” main focus is on four 9-year-old boys who live in the town of South Park, Colo. In each episode, the boys usually face a new type of religious, political, or celebrity opposition, and they end up making fun of the subject. In the latest season’s episodes, they have already attacked the new president-elect Barack Obama, the opening ceremony in the Olympics in China, and the United States military. They use swear words and stereotypes that offend many viewers.

But why do the opposing viewers continue to watch the show? Why not just let the people who think the show is funny have their show and leave well enough alone? Obviously, plenty of people watch “South Park,” because it has won two Emmy Awards.

The Russian Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith has made a very strong effort to remove the show from Russian television because of the effects shown on young viewers. In this case, though, parents should take action against not allowing their children to see these shows, rather than removing them from television entirely.

For now, the shows have been taken off the air and replaced by the American television series, “Baywatch.”

Oh yes, because scantily clad men and women with sexual innuendo is so much better than a cartoon with curse words.

The shows should not be taken off of the television airwaves in any country. People should be free to watch what they want.

The shows were not meant for children, they were meant for adults, and if parents cannot control what their children watch, I do not know what this world is coming to.