Effective Communication in a Diverse Workplace - 2594 Words

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENHANCED RESEARCH IN MANAGEMENT COMPUTER APPLICATIONS VOL. 2 ISSUE 2, FEB.-2013 ISSN NO: 2319-7471 Effective Communication in a Diverse Workplace Ritu Rana Programme Associate, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi, India riturana2222@gmail.com Abstract: Due to globalization, today’s work environment has become diverse as people from different cultures, religions and backgrounds have come together. They bring with them, diverse skills, knowledge and expertise. They have their own views, ideas, perceptions and opinions which are totally different from one anothers as they all come from different walks of life. To succeed in a multicultural society, an organization must value the differences of its†¦show more content†¦Poor communication is one of the top reasons why organizations fail or dont realize their potential. And while most organizations have more communication tools than ever before the question remains, Why are we having such a hard time communicating? Good communication practices help people at all levels in the organization improve their understanding of, and response to, the organizations and each othe rs needs. It helps people make effective decisions that are aligned with the organizations goals and objectives. And, it can motivate performance by linking individual and team efforts with the bigger picture and by recognizing desired behaviors and effort throughout the organization. When employees are poorly informed or communication is neglected, people become cynical and lose their trust and respect for the organization and its leaders. As a result, they may consciously or subconsciously undermine the success of the organization. At best, they will simply be hindered from reaching their potential or performing in the best interests of the organization. How often have you heard people say: There was a communication break-down, The problem was due to a mix up in communication, One hand just didnt know what the other hand was doing, and It was a case of poor communication. How often have you heard managers speak with frustration about good initiatives in their organizations that fa iled because employees were cynical and skeptical of theShow MoreRelated Effective Communication Skills in a Diverse Workplace Essay2413 Words   |  10 Pagesessay will be on effective communication skills in a diverse workplace, we’re going to find out the barriers of communication between different cultures, how important is diversity to all corporation/organization and how to improve our communication style/skills and how to become better listeners in order to avoid any lack of communication in the near future interactions. Anybody in a work environment having a good understanding of effective communication skills in a diverse workplace entails willRead MoreDiversity Within The Workplace And How Communication Is The Driving Force Behind It Essay1463 Words   |  6 PagesDiversity in the workplace and how communication is the driving force behind it. Workplace diversity can be described as â€Å"all the differences in age, gender, sexual orientation, education, cultural background, religion, and life experience† (Okora Washington, 2012, as cited in Mulkeen, 2008). Another functional definition of diversity is being cultural, racial, or sex-based. An organization’s definition and viewpoint concerning diversity guides the strength of its employees to connect and communicateRead MoreWhy A Diverse Workplace Matters?1093 Words   |  5 Pagessearch by various scholars has found that a diverse workplace, if managed properly, can do wonders for the success of an organization. Diversity means di fferences due to race, gender, ethnic groups, age, personality, tenure, organizational function, educational background, etc. Diversity involves how people perceive themselves and how they perceive others. These perceptions affect their interactions. Why a diverse workplace matters? / Benefits of workplace diversity An organization’s success and competitivenessRead MoreThe Best Practices Diversity Management And How Do They Improve Organizational Performance?924 Words   |  4 PagesOlaitan Okusaga HRM 350 Cross Cultural Communication Essay Dec 29, 2014 Topic: What are some of the best practices in diversity management and how do they improve organizational performance? Introduction As we enter the new phase of modern labor, diversity in the workforce is rapidly increasing. This wave of multiculturalism is here to stay and cannot be ignored by the present workers or students that are preparing to take charge of the future workforce. It is in need of attention in orderRead MoreThe Effects Of Tactile Communication On The Human Resource Manager ( Hrm )1250 Words   |  5 Pagesnonverbal communication is haptics. Haptics refers to the study of communication by touch (Anonymous, 2012). According to Anonymous, 2012, â€Å"touch is necessary for human social development, and it can be welcoming, threatening, or persuasive.† The meaning of a simple touch differs between individuals, genders, and cultures. It is important for the Human Resource Manager (HRM) to recognize these differences in order to improve communication and be effective in the workplace. Tactile communication can helpRead MoreThe Multicultural Workforce Essay1653 Words   |  7 Pages understanding of all of the available and up-to-date technology. The businesses should also be capable of conducting an effective communication relationship among the company. These important elements are a multicultural workforce within a large company, diverse cultures and how they can work together, communication barriers among the employees, and financial benefits of having a diverse and multicultural workforce. For the success and growth of any company currently, these companies need to be familiarRead MoreValue of Diversity Paper1213 Words   |  5 PagesDiversity Paper Cultural Diversity SOC/315 Value of Diversity in the Workplace In companies or corporations the global landscape now reflects diversity in the employees found in the workplace. Employees come from different backgrounds, geographic or global areas, ethnic and cultural origins, and have unique skills and talents. Individuals must work together and merge skills and manage diversity effectively in the workplace. Our thoughts, actions, and very beliefs are shaped by our culture. TheseRead MoreIntercultural Communication in the Workforce1292 Words   |  6 PagesIntercultural Communication in the Workforce Today’s organizations are doing business more and more in a global context. The people that count in any business from the suppliers to clients to employees are increasingly based in remote locations in foreign countries. The need for effective and clear intercultural communication is becoming vital in securing success in today’s global workplace. Managers of global corporations need to understand the role of intercultural communication competence inRead MoreEssay on Working in Business649 Words   |  3 PagesTask The purpose of the assessment is to produce a professional presentation on an aspect of professionalism in the workplace. In the tutorial in week 3 (tutorial 2) your tutor will issue a presentation topic to your team and spend some time discussing how you might approach it. The topics are: * Team Diversity Your team needs to research the topic and prepare a professional presentation to the board of directors of SOUND WAVE, an Australian ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT RETAILER with 68 storesRead MoreCommunication Is A Human Relationship Essay1593 Words   |  7 PagesCommunication is one of the most loosely defined terms in cultural studies. It encompasses a whole variety of experiences, events, actions and multitude happenings. The English world communication has been derived from latin word ‘communis’ which means to make common. In the simplest words, communication is a human relationship involving two or more persons who come together to share their views on a particular topic or to resolve a particular issue. The contemporary period has been labeled as the

Hiv / Aids And The United States - 1559 Words

Although HIV/AIDS affect people worldwide some areas of the United States are more drastically affected by it. The United States is the third country with the largest population having HIV/AIDS. In the U.S. alone there is more than one million individuals living with this disease. However HIV/AIDS is more prominent in the southern half of the United States, but more specifically in urban areas where people of color are more prone to live in. HIV/AIDS affects people of color living in these areas differently do to social, economic, and demographic factors such as stigma, discrimination, income, education, and geographic region. All of these different factors dictate why there are only eleven states in the southern half of the United States†¦show more content†¦HIV broken down stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The H stands for human, which means that this virus can only affect humans, the I stands for immunodeficiency and this means that HIV weakens the immune system, the V stands for virus which means that it can only reproduce itself by taking over cells within the body of an individual. HIV is similar to other viruses (like the flu) the only difference is that the body can fight the flu off but it cannot fight HIV off. â€Å"HIV can hide for long periods of time in the cells of your body and that it attacks a key part of your immune system – your T-cells or CD4 cells. Your body has to have these cells to fight infections and disease, but HIV invades them, uses them to make more copies of itself, and then destroys them.†(What is HIV/AIDS?) Once HIV enters the body it will never leave it, the only thing that an individual can do is neutralize it by keeping it from taking over all of the cells through medication. HIV then progresses to AIDS this however doesn’t mean that if a person has HIV they will get AIDS; if they treat early on they can prevent it from turning into AIDS. HIV can be transmitted through various ways and it affects different groups of people differently. HIV can be

American Dream Myth Of Individual Opportunity Essay Example For Students

American Dream: Myth Of Individual Opportunity Essay The American Dream is different for everyone, though it is most commonly associated with success, freedom, and happiness. The concept of the American Dream seems to have dwindled from where it was in the past few generations. It has gone from success, freedom, and happiness to having lots of money and the nicest possessions. In todayë ­ © society we all hope and strive for this dream, but how many actually achieve the American Dream? Is it a reasonable goal that Americans should strive for, or is it a myth that only leads to self-destruction? Having a lot of money, a good job, and expensive possessions are all characteristics of this American Dream. Even though, many Americans seek to achieve all of these material possessions, how many can say that they are truly happy, once they reach this goal? There is no standardized description of being rich. Some people see money as the only way of measuring how prosperous one is, but is money the only way to achieve the American Dream? One can only have so much money. Even the richest of the rich arenë ­ ª satisfied with what they have, yet they strive to make more and more money in order to live up to their dream. No mater how rich or how much one owns there are always bigger and better things. In the story ë ° ¨agged Dick,?Horatio Alger writes about a young manë ­ © progress from poor background that searches for wealth. In this story Dick has gone from rags to riches, immediately after his success he wants to move to a ë ±Å icer quarter of the city?312. But will this move satisfy his wants? Even though Dick is moving to a better part of town, there will always be a place thatë ­ © even better than his. Another characteristic of the American Dream is to have a high paying job with health benefits and stock options. In todayë ­ © high tech society we are seeing more and more people advancing to higher positions because of the never-ending advances in technology. Standards in the workforce will never be reached because there is always something new to be learned. There is always a competitor waiting to take your place, so one must always stay one step ahead in order to live up to todayë ­ © fast paced society. Based on my experiences of work, I try very hard to keep up with my job, attending training classes, subscribing to technical magazines, and studying for technical certifications to further advance my knowledge, even after all my training there is still much to be learned. This constant struggle of improving job status leaves one with little time to enjoy his or her success. It has been said that Americans are no longer trying to keep up with the Joneses, but instead looking at celebrities, and envisioning themselves with the same expensive possessions. Americans today do in fact look at celebrities and long for their lavish lifestyles, but also still do  try and keep up with the Joneses. Ever look at your neighborë ­ © new car and want one of your own? It is very common to see your neighbor pull in their driveway with a new Mercedes, then look at your car and think of going and getting a nice new car that is comparable to the Mercedes. We as Americans are never satisfied with what we have. The American Dream is still alive, though it is not what it used to be. One can be successful, have freedom, and be happy. But are they fulfilling their version of the American Dream? Keeping up with the Joneses is still a part of our everyday lives. Some of us may take it to further extremes than others, but there will always be the desire to have something better than everyone else. Society today tells us that we should have the best of everything if we donë ­ ª, we are of a lower class of people. We are sucked in by these beliefs because we as Americans do not want to be shown up, and want to be part of the higher class. Americans are always demanding more, while in poverty-stricken countries people are just thankful for what they do have. Maybe we as Americans should just be thankful for the opportunities that this great country has to offer and live our OWN dreams.

Realism In Death Of A Salesman Realism Can Be Defined As An Attempt To

Realism in Death of a Salesman Realism can be defined as an attempt to reproduce the surface appearance of the life of normal people in everyday situations (Kennedy 1410). Basically realism is a situation that normal people can relate to based on their own experiences. Realism is extremely prevalent in the play Death of a Salesman. The characters in the play all have real world problems. Lack of money is one of the problems, which is a problem for many people. There are also many conflicts within the family; the biggest is over what success is; money and power or happiness. Willy Loman also wants his children to have a better than he has and tries to do everything he can so they will have a better life, including ending his own. One realistic situation that many people can relate to is money problems. Money is one of the main problems that Willy Loman had throughout the play. The Loman family had many purchases on payments. Linda even states "for the vacuum cleaner there's three and a half due on the fifteenth" (Miller 1650). The Loman family was living from week to week. Every time Willy came home from a fairly successful day selling, he would think he was finally getting ahead. Willy would tell Linda how much he had made, but she would then point out how much they owed on everything. Willy then felt overwhelmed and said "My God, if business don't pick up I don't know what I'm gonna do!" (1650). Linda would then reassure Willy and tell him "Well, next week you'll do better" (1650). Many people in real life have this same problem. Every time they feel they are getting ahead financially, a problem occurs and they find themselves right back where they started. Most people also have to deal with problems and conflicts within their family throughout their life. Family problems were not exempt from the characters in Death of a Salesman. Biff's idea of success was completely opposite from Willy's. Willy viewed success as achieving money and power; Biff however viewed success in life as being happy. Biff realized that "I'm just what I am, that's all" (1703). Biff realized he was "a dime a dozen" (1703), but his father could not accept this reality. This situation where parents always keep telling their children what else they could be is common in many families. In actuality the children are where they want to be in life, but the parents just cannot accept their children's contentment. Biff spent most of his life trying to please Willy, but Biff finally realized that he never could. He was what he was. The most realistic part of the play may have been about how much Willy loved his children and how he wanted their life to be better than his own. Willy raised his children the best he could. The character Ben even seemed to appear when Willy was trying to make a decision on how to make the boys lives better. This situation with Ben makes it appear that Willy has such a hard time making a decision about what is best for the boys, that he relies on his imagination for an answer. The main reason Willy ends up killing himself is because he thinks it will help Biff start his own business with the life insurance money. Willy did everything with the best of intentions and thought his actions and decisions would benefit his children. Most parents are the same way and will do anything in their power to help their children. When reading Death of a Salesman, most people can relate to the problems of the Loman's. The similarities of the Loman's problems to the everyday problems that average people face make this a play full of realism. Works Cited Kennedy, X.J., and Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 1999. 1410 Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Seventh Edition. X.J. Kennedy, and Dana Gioia. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 1999. 1636-1707

Physical exercise Essay Example

Physical exercise Essay Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health or wellness. It is performed for various reasons. These include strengthening muscles and cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance and for enjoyment. Physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the â€Å"diseases of affluence† such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease. It also improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or maintain positive self-esteem, and can even augment an individual sex appeal or body  image, which again is also linked with higher levels of self-esteem. Childhood obesity is growing global concern and physical exercise may help decrease the effects of childhood obesity in developed countries. Physical exercise is important for maintaining physical fitness and can contribute positively to maintaining a health weight, building and maintaining healthy bone density, muscle strength, and joint mobility, promoting physiological well being, reducing surgical risks, and strengthening the immune system. However exercise is a form of discipline. It means self-control and sincerity. We need to neglect  our idleness. Physical exercise helps in character building. It makes our mind sharp and active. It improves mental strength and capability. It adds to our capability and improves our performance. Physical exercise done in morning keeps us healthy. Exercise also reduces levels of cortisol. Cortisol is as stress hormone that builds fat in the abdominal region, making weight loss difficult. Also Cortisol causes many health problems, both physical and mental. We will write a custom essay sample on Physical exercise specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Physical exercise specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Physical exercise specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to help shown to help prevent or treat serious and life- threatening chronic conditions such as: Burns calories   Improves endurance Reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes Decreased blood triglycerides Improve weight control There is evidence that vigorous exercise is more beneficial than moderate exercise. Some studies have shown that vigorous exercise executed by healthy individuals can increase testosterone and growth hormone, effects that are not as us fully realized with moderate exercise. However, at this intensity for long periods of time, or without proper warm up beforehand and cool down afterwards, can lead to an increased risk of injury and overtraining. Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise also work to increase the mechanical efficiency of the heart by increasing cardiac volume (aerobic exercise), or myocardial thickness (strength training). Such changes are generally beneficial and healthy if they occur in response to exercise. Not everyone benefits equally from exercise. There is a lot of variation in individual response to training: where most people will see a moderate increase in endurance from aerobic exercise, some individuals will as much as double their oxygen uptake, while others can never enhance endurance. Also, muscle hypertrophy from resistance training is primarily determined by diet and testosterone. This genetic variation in improvement from training is one of the key physiological differences between professional athletes and usually people. I can say that exercising in middle age leads to better physical ability later in life. Beneficial effect of exercise on the Cardiovascular System Improved Heart Health: The first one is an improved condition of your heart is a muscle just like any other and in order for it to become strong it must be worked. If you fail to work it, it will weaken over time and this can cause a  variety of negative health effects. By getting the heart pumping at a faster rate on regular basis you will keep it in shape and healthy. Too many people are getting tired just performing simple exercises such as walking up the stairs and the primary reason for this is because they are neglect to work their heart muscle. -Improved Hormonal Profile Performing cardiovascular exercise also changes the hormonal profile in your body considerably. It releases feel good hormones that will help ease symptoms of depression and fatigue as well as releasing hormones that decrease the appetite. -Management of Diabetes Lastly, for those who have diabetes, cardiovascular exercise helps them manage this condition. By performing the exercise you will increase your muscle’s ability to utilize glucose. Those who exercise regularly tend to have better control of their blood sugars and do not see as many blood sugar swings as those who don’t. For diabetes this is increasingly important as they are extremely sensitive to changes in blood sugar levels. Effect on the immune system Although there have been hundreds of studies on exercise and immune system, there is little direct  evidence on its connection to disease. Epidemiological evidence suggest that moderate exercise has a beneficial effect on the human immune system while extreme exercise impairs, weakens it. Moderate exercise has been associated with 30 % decreased incidence of upper respiration tract infections, but studies of marathon runners found that their long high-intensity exercise was associated with an increased risk of an infection, although another study did not find effect. The immune system of athletes and non-athletes are generally similar. Effects on brain function  There are several possibilities for why exercise is beneficial for the brain: Increasing the blood and oxygen flow to the brain. -Increasing growth factors that help create new nerve cells and promote synaptic plasticity -Increasing chemicals in the brain that help create new nerve cells and promote synaptic plasticity -Increasing chemicals in the brain that help cognition, such as dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Effect on depression Depression can be helped by regular exercise. Physical activity causes brain pleasure centres to be  stimulated and leads to feelings of wellbeing. Exercise can also be effective in the treatment for anxiety and depression. Some research studies indicate that regular exercise may be as effective as other treatments like medication to relieve milder depression. Generally, exercise has a place in treatment as part of a comprehensive approach to the illness. Effect on sleep Some research studies suggested that exercise generally improves sleep disorders such as insomnia. The optimum time to exercise may be 4 to 10 hours before bedtime, though exercise at any time of day  is beneficial, with the possible exception of heavy exercise taken shortly before bedtime, which may disturb sleep. While however there is insufficient evidence to draw detailed conclusions about the relationship between exercise and sleep. Public health measures Signs that encourage the use of stairs, as well as community campaigns, have been shown to be effective in increasing exercise in a population. The city of Bogota, Columbia, for example, blocks off 113 kilometers of roads on Sundays and holidays to make it easier for its citizens to get exercise. These pedestrian zones are part of an effort to combat chronic diseases, including obesity. Common misconceptions Many myths have become surrounding exercise, some of which have a basis in reality, and some are completely false. I will give some examples of myths below: Myth: Someone who’s thin is fit Being fit means you have strong and healthy heart, lungs, muscles, bones and joints. Just because is thin or of normal weight doesn’t mean he or she can run a long distance or open a heavy door. Regular physical activity and balanced eating can help you stay at heathy weight and prevent disease. Myth: There’s one best way to be physically active. There are many types of physical activity that are enjoyable and beneficial for our health. The 3 types of activities that promote overall health are: Activities for strong, healthy muscles and bones, like lifting weights (strengthening ) Activities for safe, healthy joints and muscles, like yoga and stretching( flexibility) Activities for a stronger heart and lungs, like walking or biking (aerobic) Myth: Jogging is a better activity than walking. Walking is an excellent way to get a stronger heart and lungs, and reduce your risk of disease. The important thing is to do an activity you enjoy, whether it’s jogging, walking or something else. To be active for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. You don’t have to do all 30 minutes at once. If it’s easier or more convenient, do several 10 minutes sessions throughout day. Physical activity for children (under 5 years old) Being physically active every day is important for the health growth and development of babies, toddlers and preschoolers. For this age group, activity of any intensity should be encouraged,  including light activity and more energetic physical activity. The amount of physical activity you need to do each week is determined by your age. Babies Babies should be encouraged to be active from birth. Before your baby to crawl, encourage them to be physically active by reaching and grasping, pulling and pushing, moving their head, body and limbs during daily routines, and during supervised floor play, including tummy time. Once babies can move around, encourage them to be as active as possible in a safe, supervised and nurturing play environment. All children under 5 years old  Children under 5 should not be inactive for long periods, except when they’re asleep. Watching TV, travelling by car, bus or train or being strapped into a buggy for long periods are not good for child’s health and development. There’s growing evidence that such behavior can increase their risk of poor health. All children under 5 who are overweight can improve their health by meeting the activity guidelines, even if their weight doesn’t change. To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, they may need to do additional activity and make changes to their diet.

A song for your funeral Essays - Bruno Mars, 9, Free Essays

A song for your funeral Essays - Bruno Mars, 9, Free Essays 1247555 The Poetics of Popular Music September 5th, 2014 A song for your funeral Normally you will ask people which song youll like to be played at your birthday, wedding or other events. But when it comes to your funeral which song will you prefer? For my funeral the song that I chose is Mirror by Wayne/Mars. The reason why I chose this song is because it explains how to not let the past take over our future. As the song start with a strong opinion, indicating that anything can happen in the blink of an eye in this modern time, that people dont know if theyre either heading towards happiness or failure. Wayne/Mars tells us But you think that you're on your way/ Life lined up on the mirror don't blow it (3-4). This is one of the lyrics that I will like my family and friends to take in consideration, as for it indicates listeners to not mess up their lives because you only one life, to say once you make a mistake you cant erase it. Lyrics from line 9, express us majority of the people shows that they are in happy in life, but in reality they are covering their mis ery. I sometimes to keep my parents happy, I agree to do stuff with them, for which Im not interested at all and for that, I put a smile on my face for which it will make them, smile also. Another lyric for my close ones is, I see that guilt beneath the shame (21). It means that I feel sorry for some of things I have done and to think that they were correct, but in fact I do feel guilty for my actions towards the others. On line 22, the word scars is being referred to a broken that was put back together, although you can still see the fracture, implying that the lyrics tried to fix his past, but the problems were never fixed. The composer tells us that he made mistakes that people still cant forgive and that they want to start a new life but the people around him wont let Waynes past aside. Word count: 325 words Lyrics With everything happening today you don't know whether you're coming or going But you think that you're on your way Life lined up on the mirror don't blow it, woo. Look at me when I'm talking to you You looking at me but I'm looking through you I see the blood in your eyes I see the love in disguise I see the pain hidden in your pride I see you're not satisfied And I don't see nobody else I see myself I'm looking at the... [Bruno Mars:] Mirror on the wall ([Wayne:] Ooh), here we are again ([Wayne:] Yeah) Through my rise and fall ([Wayne:] Uh) You've been my only friend ([Wayne:] Yeah) You told me that they can understand the man I am So why are we here talkin' to each other again? [Lil Wayne:] Uh, I see the truth in your lies I see nobody by your side But I'm with you when you are all alone And you correct me when I'm looking wrong I see the guilt beneath the shame I see your soul through your window pane I see the scars that remain I see you Wayne, I'm looking at the... [Bruno Mars:] Mirror on the wall, here we are again ([Wayne:] Yeah) Through my rise and fall ([Wayne:] Uh-Huh) You've been my only friend ([Wayne:] my only friend) You told me that they can understand the man I am ([Wayne:] they can understand) So why are we here ([Wayne:] misunderstood) talkin' to each other again? [Lil Wayne:] Looking at me now I can see my past Damn, I look just like my fucking dad Light it up, that's smoke in mirrors I even look good in the broken mirror I see my momma smile that's a blessing I see the change, I see the message And no message could've been any clearer So I'm startin' with the man in the... [Bruno Mars:] Mirror on the wall, [Lil Wayne:] MJ taught me that. [Bruno Mars:] Here we are again Through my rise and fall You've been my only friend [Lil Wayne:] Take 'em to Mars man [Bruno Mars:] You told me that they can understand the man I am So why are we talkin' to each other again? [Lil Wayne:] Uh... [Bruno Mars:] Mirror on the wall ([Wayne:] Ooh), here we are again ([Wayne:] Yeah) Through my rise and fall You've been my

Censorship in Cinemas Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 9000 words

Censorship in Cinemas - Coursework Example The research brings together practical evidence by way of scholarly theory and the popular press to support some of these arguments and to determine whether it is a necessary element within society in its broadest context. 'Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers' - Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19. 'The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.' (O'Byrne, 2003: 106-112) So it appears that freedom of expression is not without its limits and is still subject to censorship in terms of what is considered beneficial to the greater good of communities. Censorship can, in its broadest sense, be defined as the suppression of knowledge or ideas. It is often enforced by governments or authoritative organisations to prevent certain types of explicit material from being circulated. This study is focusing particularly on the nature of film censorship which can be judged in relation to language that is used, the plot or the subject matter and is applied in accordance with protecting children, minority groups or vulnerable individuals from exposure to unnecessary emotional trauma. In Britain, film censorship has been active since the turn of the last century and is now overseen by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) which classifies films and certifies them accordingly for public viewing. In the United States censorship emerged in the late 1920's with the development of talking pictures. The Hays Code of film classification was adopted in 1934 'to control the depiction of religious groups, foreign countries, foreigners, sexual and criminal activity and other repellent subjects.' (Sourced from: http://www.talkingpix.co.uk/ArticleCensorship.html, Date accessed, 18/02/09) Later on, in 1968 a classification system was established that all Hollywood movies recognise on a voluntary basis and which is governed by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The UK shares many of the same censorship and classification strategies as that of the United States. The only legally acknowledged censorship bodies in the UK are the local authorities; with 'obs cenity' listed as the prime protagonist for ensuring film censorship is sustained. The British Board of Film Classification argues that classification is largely upheld in accordance with protecting children. (Kochberg, 2007) Their current guidelines identify a number of areas of concern which are addressed and considered in