Creative artists should always be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no government restrictions on what they do. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
There has been a controversy on the freedom of expression for poets, musicians, and film-makers, to name a few. Many believe that such individuals should enjoy the liberty to create and exhibit their work, while others favor defining some limits. This essay shall critically scrutinise this matter and draw a plausible conclusion.
To embark upon the discussion, it is commonly professed that those engaged in various manifestations of art should enjoy full control over their ideas. These individuals promote innovation, and thus, should be able to express their thoughts without the fear of censorship, or reprimand, and usher in freshness, and adding to the vibrant social environment. Moreover, art is not only considered a powerful way of expressing feelings and emotions but also addresses several social issues, engendering awareness about critical communal challenges and stigmas, and inspiring a change. For instance, the movie “Orange is the new black” was released highlighting the challenges faced by black people in the USA; it created enlightenment about the people facing racial injustice, and persuaded scores of US citizens to call for halting this appalling practice.
Nevertheless, the critics throw up their arms in horror and suggest that it is essential for the government to regulate the work of art. According to them, those creating such content might become irresponsible and violate moral values and express themselves in inappropriate forms, causing social discord, and hence, cannot be overlooked. For example, in 2011, a music producer presented a song that resulted in chaos and disharmony, and led to a curfew in Italy.
To conclude, disputes aside, I feel even though the ideas and thoughts of the artists might promote progress, some governmental intervention is essential for the sake of public good, and sustain a harmonious communal environment.
