One in three U.S. students say freedom of press should be restricted

sugar and spice · #1 01-31-2005, 01:39 PM

My friend sent me this link:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...eedomsgotoofar

I thought it was interesting.

Discuss.

IowaStatePhiPsi · #2 01-31-2005, 01:43 PM

Quote:

36% believe newspapers should get "government approval" of stories before publishing

They can move to China or Cuba if they want that.

ZTAngel · #3 01-31-2005, 01:46 PM

Scary.

KSigkid · #4 01-31-2005, 02:01 PM

Wow - 36% saying that government should have oversight of newspapers? That's a larger percentage than I would expect from the population; I understand that journalism isn't the most popular field lately, but that still seems like a high number.

I'm wondering how many of these students actually read the newspapers, and what newspapers they're reading. That could play into their feelings.

It is a bit concerning; one wonders where they've gotten the idea that we should have that sort of censorship of the media.

PhiPsiRuss · #5 01-31-2005, 02:04 PM

Lets just hope that they don't remain idiots as they move through their lives.

Rudey · #6 01-31-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KSigkid
Wow - 36% saying that government should have oversight of newspapers? That's a larger percentage than I would expect from the population; I understand that journalism isn't the most popular field lately, but that still seems like a high number.

I'm wondering how many of these students actually read the newspapers, and what newspapers they're reading. That could play into their feelings.

It is a bit concerning; one wonders where they've gotten the idea that we should have that sort of censorship of the media.

If Geraldo wants to give away American military positions in a war and if a CIA agent is revealed by "unnamed" sources...

Well freedom of speech cannot be guaranteed in all incidences.

-Rudey

moe.ron · #7 01-31-2005, 02:05 PM

Pretty creepy that over a quarter of students in the poll think it's all right for the government to controll the media.

KSig RC · #8 01-31-2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moe.ron
Pretty creepy that over a quarter of students in the poll think it's all right for the government to controll the media.

Although not surprising - college is NO LONGER a bastian for the intellectual elite. Modern American culture has brought college educational expectation down considerably, with more people expecting to go to college than not. This means that it shouldn't be surprising that a third are rampant morons - it's the 'Carlin dilemma' . . .

Think of how stupid the average person is . . . then realize half of the people are dumber than that.

33girl · #9 01-31-2005, 04:19 PM

Not everyone wants to go to or should go to or has the intellectual capacity for college. There's nothing wrong with making a living with your hands, but unfortunately many parents, teachers and guidance counselors make it seem like it is.

I really think college entrance standards in general need to be much tougher than they are at present. There are a lot of people in college who are miserable and would be much happier if they could do what they want to do and what they are suited for.

But back to the main topic -

I'd really like to know more about the wording of the questions they were asked. I mean if it said do you think the govt should control papers in general - that's scary. If they asked do you think the govt should control papers to avoid military snafus, that's a different thing altogether. It's important to know if the students were led or coached.

DeltAlum · #10 01-31-2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KSig RC
Think of how stupid the average person is . . . then realize half of the people are dumber than that.

That's very good.

Thank goodness these are high school students -- although I wonder how different it would be among college types.

RUgreek · #11 01-31-2005, 05:29 PM

Apparently history classes are being abbreviated too much in high school. These kids are proving my theory that we are evolving into dumber humans. I wonder if this is just an American trend or also is similar to opinions abroad.

KSigkid · #12 02-01-2005, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 33girl
Not everyone wants to go to or should go to or has the intellectual capacity for college. There's nothing wrong with making a living with your hands, but unfortunately many parents, teachers and guidance counselors make it seem like it is.

I really think college entrance standards in general need to be much tougher than they are at present. There are a lot of people in college who are miserable and would be much happier if they could do what they want to do and what they are suited for.

But back to the main topic -

I'd really like to know more about the wording of the questions they were asked. I mean if it said do you think the govt should control papers in general - that's scary. If they asked do you think the govt should control papers to avoid military snafus, that's a different thing altogether. It's important to know if the students were led or coached.

The group that funded the study is pro-journalism. Based on what I've heard and read about them, I would think that the study would have been biased more the other way. That's another reason I find the results so fascinating (and upsetting at the same time).

DeltAlum · #13 02-01-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
Well freedom of speech cannot be guaranteed in all incidences.

An honest answer -- and not a bad one.

The Constitution is not a suicide pact. There are a few (very few) instances where the media must either voluntarily back away from reporting certain facts or be enjoined from that reporting -- and they generally do cooperate with officials. Really. Even the "dark empire" at CBS held a story for a couple of weeks at the request of the DOD.

What really amazes me is the number of people who will be shocked and outraged at the results of this survey, but will be the first to decry a network or newspaper for liberalism or conservatism -- or being the next thing to Communist -- when something with which they (or their party) strongly disagree is published or broadcast.

Human nature, I suppose.

Coramoor · #14 02-01-2005, 12:55 PM

I don't think it's surprising at all.

Look at the type of people in journalism today. They don't exactly inspire confidence in their reporting ability or integrity of their word.

It used to be that people trusted reporters-now you are a moron if you believe what a reporter or news agency says without double or triple checking it with different references. Reporters and the news isn't looked at the same way it used to be.

Rudey · #15 02-01-2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
An honest answer -- and not a bad one.

The Constitution is not a suicide pact. There are a few (very few) instances where the media must either voluntarily back away from reporting certain facts or be enjoined from that reporting -- and they generally do cooperate with officials. Really. Even the "dark empire" at CBS held a story for a couple of weeks at the request of the DOD.

What really amazes me is the number of people who will be shocked and outraged at the results of this survey, but will be the first to decry a network or newspaper for liberalism or conservatism -- or being the next thing to Communist -- when something with which they (or their party) strongly disagree is published or broadcast.

Human nature, I suppose.

There is an effort in journalism and law now that is trying to figure out how to differentiate between freedom of speech and what is not legal. The CIA name game I mentioned earlier was one of the reasons this is all being brought about.

I can't remember if I posted an article on here or not but it was by a UCLA law professor on the subject. If I get time I'll post it or look for it. You might be interested.

-Rudey