You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
The government should control the amount of violence in films and on television in order to decrease violent crimes in society.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experiences.
You should write at least 250 words.
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Sample Essay 1
Violent contents on media have been seen an association with an increasing crime rate in society. To reduce the related criminality, some people advocate that governments should strive to minimise the violence showing on mass media. I strongly agree with this statement because violent shows on screen can instigate viewers to imitate those in real life, however, government interventions with smart monitoring and law enforcement can reduce the negative consequences. This essay is going elucidate the idea in detail.
People are prone to watch violence or extreme action films which exert enormous influence on their behaviour. Research reveals that people, who are excessively exposed to media violence, grow with aggressive attitude towards others in their society. In fact, some films containing ferocity convey a message that violent actions for good is a super heroism, regardless of legal approval, and these films showcasing these actions are being rewarded rather than being criticized. Eventually this trend breeds a fantasy of invincibility is the young viewers’ mind and motivate them to copy the onscreen action characters in their real life. Furthermore, people who have issues on emotion regulation are vulnerable to violent materials. Being occupied by those negative emotions, when they have arguments with others, they may become agitated or angry easily and end up with fighting and being involved in legal issues.
However, governments can restrain this scenario by imposing content regulations for films and media. If they fail to abide by the law, authorities can put them into justice that sets exemplary consequences for others. If media platforms know that inappropriately disseminating violence to audience may cause legal penalties, they will be more cautious in broadcasting. For example, they may limit the violence in detective TV serials and action movies, or they might present them in a way that the contents do not motivate to become an aggressive unruly superhero. To ensure the rules and regulations in practice, governments can allocate more money and human resource to oversee the media and film industry across the regions, from well-known media companies in major cities to less-known counterparts in rural areas.
To sum up, excessive display of violence on TV and movies has a negative behavioural impact on the audience. However, a proper governmental action like a robust media content law and a wide scale monitoring system may lead to lower the crime rate in a society.
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Sample Essay 2
The notion that governmental regulation of violence depicted in media could curtail real-world violence is both intriguing and contentious. This essay posits that while such control may have a marginal impact, it fails to address the multifaceted roots of societal violence, necessitating a more comprehensive approach.
Firstly, the argument for regulation hinges on the premise that exposure to media violence engenders aggression in viewers. Research indicates a correlation between prolonged exposure to violent content and aggressive behavior, particularly in children. However, this correlation does not equate to causation. Implementing stricter controls on violent content could indeed reduce immediate exposure, yet it oversimplifies the complex psychological, social, and economic factors that contribute to violent crime. For instance, socioeconomic disparities, educational deficiencies, and mental health issues play significant roles in fostering violent behaviors, which mere censorship cannot ameliorate.
Moreover, the effectiveness of governmental oversight in moderating content is questionable in the digital era. The proliferation of online platforms and the global nature of content distribution make it increasingly difficult to enforce national regulations effectively. Even if violence in films and television were curtailed, the vastness of the internet offers ample alternatives, including video games and websites that are beyond the reach of traditional regulatory frameworks. This underscores the need for a holistic strategy that includes education on media literacy, mental health support, and poverty alleviation to address the roots of violent crime comprehensively.
In conclusion, while the intent behind controlling violence in media is commendable, its efficacy in reducing violent crimes is limited. A multifaceted approach that addresses the underlying causes of violence in society—beyond what is shown on screens—is essential for making a meaningful impact. Thus, rather than focusing solely on media content, it is imperative to invest in education, mental health, and social services to cultivate a more peaceful and just society.
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Sample Essay 3
The contention that governmental regulation of violent content in films and on television could serve as a deterrent to violent crimes in society is a multifaceted debate. On one hand, proponents argue for a direct correlation between media violence and societal aggression, advocating for stringent content control as a preventive measure. Conversely, critics assert the primacy of individual responsibility and the role of broader socio-economic factors in crime genesis. This essay contends that while media influence cannot be disregarded, addressing violent crime requires a more holistic approach.
Foremost, the theory linking media violence to real-world aggression rests on the concept of social learning. Children and impressionable adults, exposed to frequent acts of violence on screen, might normalize such behavior, mimicking it in real-life scenarios. Research indicates a measurable, albeit moderate, increase in aggression among individuals after consuming violent media. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology demonstrated short-term aggression spikes in participants after viewing violent films. Therefore, curating media content could theoretically mitigate these influences, fostering a more harmonious society.
However, this perspective overlooks the complexity of criminal behavior, which is often rooted in deeper societal issues such as poverty, education inequality, and lack of mental health support. Violent crime, therefore, should be addressed by tackling these underlying causes. Moreover, the emphasis on censorship raises concerns about freedom of expression and the slippery slope to over-regulation. It also presumes a simplistic cause-and-effect relationship between media consumption and behavior that fails to account for the myriad factors influencing individual actions.
In conclusion, while the impact of media violence on societal aggression cannot be entirely dismissed, the solution to violent crime lies beyond mere content regulation. A multifaceted strategy, addressing the root causes of aggression and providing robust support systems for at-risk individuals, promises a more effective and sustainable reduction in violent crimes. The role of media is but one piece of the complex puzzle of human behaviour and societal norms.
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