Why do governments BAN books, movies, etc.?

movies and books
Austin, Texas
September 8, 2015 6:54pm CST
Why do governments BAN books, movies, etc.? Haven't they realized by now that whenever they do that, people want to know all the more? Link below is Part 2 of an article discussing the banning of films in Iran. Now my curiosity is peaked. What are these movies about? Interested in news from around the world that you might not hear on TV? Subscribe to receive the Global Voices newsletter, daily or weekly.
Movies continue to be banned for a variety of reasons in Iran, despite the president's lip service to the need for more cultural freedoms in the country.
4 people like this
5 responses
@LadyDuck (457412)
• Switzerland
9 Sep 15
Every dictatorship, since the ancient times, ban books to keep people in the ignorance and better subjugate them. In our days movies are considered like books... dangerous because they can open the eyes.
1 person likes this
• Austin, Texas
9 Sep 15
@LadyDuck - @TiarasOceanView - @rusty2rusty – I get what all are saying. But the banning never works! First of all, it's people in their own country who made the movies! What does that say?? Something got into their hearts and minds even though such topics or subjects are taboo, off limits, banned! With enforced controls such as banning, stuff still got into their heads, created some thoughts, ideas, etc. and they let it out or expressed what they were thinking in the form of a movie. Don't humans get that they can't control the minds of other humans? It doesn't work!
2 people like this
• United States
9 Sep 15
@rusty2rusty No it doesnt Sandy you are right. I know of people that say they would rather die than convert to some other faith than their own. That is great what you are teaching your daughter..it will save her a lot of grief in life.
2 people like this
• Defiance, Ohio
10 Sep 15
@TiarasOceanView I hope she understands what I am trying to teach before it is to late.
2 people like this
• Preston, England
10 Sep 15
politically and religiously repressive regimes will always resort to extreme censorship. It usually helps create opposition and an underground desire to see / use the banned material. Work that reflects freedoms the State's citizens don't get to freely enjoy could be seen giving people ideas. What they are really banning is thinking for yourself.
• Austin, Texas
10 Sep 15
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
9 Sep 15
They ban things because the fear people will be open minded and rise up against the government.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Sep 15
Well considering they cut peoples heads and limbs etc off, I am not surprised they are banning books and movies.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
10 Sep 15
Books and movies have been banned/condemned since the first book and first movie was made and the US has had a major part of doing that from the Catholic church, conservatives, politicians and many others--and it has and never will work!
1 person likes this