Slippery Slope
I know the PM can’t resist having an opinion on everything but I think she will find she is on a slippery slope when she starts giving her views on individual programmes such as South Park. I mean does she really now want gallery journalists ringing her up every week after a new episode comes out asking if she finds this one offensive also?
“So Prime Minister did you find the episode where Cartman gets Scott Tenorman to accidentally eat his parents more acceptable than the Bloody Mary episode?”
The NZ Herald has also shown online a variety of letters on the episode. Some good quotes include:
“As an atheist, I am offended by television broadcasts that implore me to find religion and, in doing so, give up my own beliefs and 10 per cent of my gross income. But I don’t organise a boycott – I just change the channel. ”
“I respect the right of anyone to follow the religion of their choice, but they do not have the right to try to shape my life according to their religious beliefs. Their tactics are those of a bully. ”
“Let’s be blunt. We cannot be tolerant of intolerance. All intolerant irreligious and political beliefs should be lampooned into oblivion. Their advocates should also be left in no doubt that any resort to force will be met with uncompromising and overwhelming counter-force. “
And amongst the arguments in favour of censorship we have:
A civilised society is not one where one part of society broadcasts denigration of the core beliefs of another simply because it can or “is funny”.
Umm actually that is indeed the hallmark of a civilised tolerant society.
Freedom of speech is a duty and not a right. Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres and the Broadcasting Standards Authority should have the final say in this matter.
Oh yes I want Joris to decide what I am allowed to watch on TV. Not.
As a Catholic I am appalled that Canwest chief executive Rick Friesen plans to run this South Park episode which I understand portrays Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, menstruating.
Incorrect. It shows a statue of Mary menstruating. Important difference!