Should Sexually Explicit Material Be Allowed on Television?

(A position paper)

To:

Prof. Sybil Agreda

Faculty, CAS

San Beda College, Manila

By:

Nazarene Balon

Judielle Agcaoili

In Partial fulfillment of the requirements

In English 02

March 4, 2010
I. Statement of the Problem and Position

As a medium of dissemination of public ideas and perceptions, a television set is

undisputedly an effective pipeline of projecting different situations in life. Likewise,
it is an efficient vehicle in imparting new fashions, trends, and innovations in our
society especially in terms of technological advancement. Hence, we strongly believe
that any form of sexually explicit materials particularly provocative and suggestive
images have no room of justification to be aired in our television set which is
admittedly acknowledged the widest and influential tool of communicating ideas. It
slowly corrupts the minds of the viewers especially the youths.

II. The Issues and Facts

1. To advertise
Advertising has incorporated sex into their solicitation campaigns. The movie,
television and mainline publication industries have become exceptionally liberal in
what is permissible in premarital sex, alternative lifestyles and the materialization of
men and women. In contrast, it is improper to use images and scenes provoking
sexual excitement for the reason of enticing the viewers to buy a product. It also gives
the ideas that the product shown can be use or useful in sexual permissiveness which
also triggers curiosity of the viewers. In addition, these advertisements are not only
seen by adults. It even becomes an anathema to the fragile personality of the
formative youth. .

2. To portray realistic images

It is a form of less obvious pornography. Soft core pornography depicts nude and
semi-nude performers engaging in casual social nudity or non-graphic representations
of sexual intercourse or masturbation. Soft core porn precludes explicit depictions of
vaginal or anal penetration, cunnilingus, and ejaculation (www.wikipedia.com). Also
it refers to any explicit depictions of erotic behavior (as in pictures, photographs,
writings, or books) which are intended to cause sexual excitement. Through the use
of “soft core” pornography, the television and film industries undeniably promote
sexual deviations which are blatantly contrary to moral, religious and ethical
standards. Furthermore, many of the life-styles and values which are modeled on the
screen work against the traditional community values of the society. Thus,
government censorship is indeed a “must”. The boundary of decency vis-à-vis
freedom of expression as guaranteed by our Constitution must be defined. Freedom of
expression cannot be used as an excused to promote obscenity. Lust is not a license to
justify immorality.