"Censor" Definition
This is one's general definition of the word "censor." According to Oxford Dictionary on Google, censorship means: "the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security."
So how does a nation censor content? (Specifically Australia and Vietnam)
While this was a good recap during our presentation, here is a summary:
The following are 3 case studies by each students on censorship:
Barbie Live Action Movie (2023)
Why is it controversial?
China claimed ownership of the islands and maritime regions inside the nine-dash line while Vietnam stated:
“The Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys) archipelagoes are parts of Viet Nam’s territory. Viet Nam has indisputable sovereignty over these archipelagoes. China’s claim over the islands and adjacent waters in the Eastern Sea (South China Sea) as manifested in the map attached with the Notes Verbale CML/17/2009 and CML/18/2009 has no legal, historical, or factual basis, therefore is null and void.”
“The Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys) archipelagoes are parts of Viet Nam’s territory. Viet Nam has indisputable sovereignty over these archipelagoes. China’s claim over the islands and adjacent waters in the Eastern Sea (South China Sea) as manifested in the map attached with the Notes Verbale CML/17/2009 and CML/18/2009 has no legal, historical, or factual basis, therefore is null and void.”
For a highly anticipated movie with a Hollywood budget and content appropriate for all ages, this can be detrimental as it will spread this misinformation to a large audience globally.
Warner Bros defended the movie: “A whimsical, child-like crayon drawing. It was not intended to make any type of statement.”
Regardless, Barbie was banned in Vietnam.
Crazy Domains Advertisement
While this ad was not broadcast on TV before its removal and mostly targeted those needing an online domain, it was broadcast online, hence almost everyone could see it (even children)
Why controversial: “Public urination is an offense in all states and territories of Australia”
Outcome: Modified/Discontinued
Which we believed to be justified
Sơn Tùng MTP's "There's no one at all" Music Video
In context:
- Visual culture forms such as music videos are the catalyst to investigate the political and social effects of the representation of concepts when studied in logically contextual methods. Some music videos could be prejudiced, single-dimensional, commercialized, and discriminated against, which harms education.
Furthermore, at the time, it was a trend where MVs were put into students' exams (mostly in Literature exams but these can still be found in other subjects, mock exams lists or on the internet).
While the song wasn't controversial, the music video was.
The MV has many scenes of characters struggling with their inner turmoil, accompanied by lyrics of being bored with life. Unable to find a way out on a dark road that runs forever without stopping, in the end, death becomes the only option to free a soul that has rotted from the inside without education throughout.
As an MV is available online for a large demographic, negative messages are easily spread, especially to the young and impressionable.
So how did Sơn Tùng and people responded?
And here is a summary of our case studies
