Freedom of speech is granted to United States citi Essay Example For Students

Freedom of speech is granted to United States citi Essay zens under the firstamendment of the Constitution. Many people, however, seem to feel that thisright is often exercised too freely on television. Whether this is true or not isa large controversy. Although most people believe in speaking their mindson television, it is also understood by most people that freedom of speech canbe carried too far, which is kind of ironic because the constitution says thatUS Citizens can say whatever theyd like to say when ever theyd like to sayit. Violence is something that a lot of people have a problem with whenthey see it displayed on their television sets. It hasnt been determined iftelevision causes people to act violently or if violent people watch a lot oftelevision(Sensational TV 34), but many viewers believe violence is wrongjust the same. Researchers are, however, studying the effect television has ongrown adults. To do this, however, they need to look back to the adultschildhood. Researchers believe that people will see over 100,000 acts ofsimulated violence in their childhood(Sensational TV 46). The problem with freedom of speech and television isnt only on theviewers side. The people who are on television have problems also. On April 16, 1996, Oprah Winfrey said some things on her talk showabout beef that may have lead her audiences to become scared to eat certaincattle products. Oprah didnt think this was that big of a deal, but realizedher mistake when she was sued for $11 million for causing a decrease incattlemens marketing of beef. Oprah won the court case because she hadntreally done anything wrong. She was simply telling her audience somesimple stories and sharing information about the infamous mad cowdisease(Internet)Another incident occurred when an emu rancher in East Texas claimedthat a 1997 television commercial refereed to emus as meat. In thecommercial a man named Joe, who was going to an emu ranch, was told thatemus was the pork of the future. Buckeye Egg Farm is suing because thecommercial says emus is meat, and theyve been accused of repackaging oldeggs. All of the problems with freedom of speech on television can beprevented and controlled. The V-Chip is one thing that is being used to helpcontrol what children see on television. The V-Chip is one of PresidentClintons most prized operations. It helps put the remote control back in theparents hands. Another solution to the problem is the Childrens Television Act of1996. This told broadcasters that they needed to be more aware ofchildrens educational needs in their programs. In conclusion, there are many people who are on television on a dailybasis and they need to be responsible for what they say. Although you havethe right to say whatever you want to, you may be harming others when yousay certain things.