Media censorship is a very controversial topic. Audiences stated that excessive violence is depicted on television and that this violence ultimately negatively affects viewers, especially children. Censorship is the regulation and control of information and ideas that circulate among people within a society. Refers to the examination of electronic and print media for the purpose of altering and/or suppressing portions of the media deemed inappropriate and/or offensive (Microsoft Encarta 97). The implication of censorship is that it is necessary for the protection of the viewing public. What follows is a discussion of violence depicted in the media, its impact on the public, and media censorship. This document also provides a workable solution to the negative impact of violence in the media. Violence in the media and its impact It is inconceivable not to think that television cannot influence our attitudes and behaviors. Neil Postman makes this point by outlining America's movement from a printing company to a telegraph company. (Postman, 1985) This is not to suggest passivity. Much of what is broadcast on television is fictional. However, supporters of censorship argue that television creates a false sense of reality and influences not only young children but also teenagers. In an accident after watching the film The Program, a teenager was killed and two others were injured after lying down. along the center line of a highway. The teenagers were imitating a scene from the movie. Touchstone Pictures removed the scene from the film due to the tragedy with the teenagers. Another incident in Ohio, five-year-old Austin Messner set fire to his parents' house killing his sister after watching the popular MTV cartoon Beavis and Butthead. In response, MTV moved the program to a timeslot four hours later. However, he did not claim responsibility. (Microsoft Internet Explorer) The implication is that people are passive beings easily influenced by what they see. Another implication is that all people have shared experiences and will think and react the same way. Neil Postman advances the thought that watching television is our way of knowing ourselves and the world (Postman, 1985) EB White writes "I believe that television will be the proving ground of the modern world, and in this new opportunity to see beyond field of our vision, we will discover either a new and unbearable disturbance of the general peace, or a saving splendor in the sky.