The censorship practised on films shown on TV is , to say the least, comical if not hypocritical.
Whenever a scene appears where there is likely to be a glass of alcohol or smoking, the scene is blocked by blurring boxes with an excuse that it is done according to the government policy.
But the whole film may be about adultery, drugs, cheating.
If the censoring is to protect the youth, shouldn’t they be protected from the vices other than mere drinking and smoking?
Meanwhile, the licence to sell liquor is distributed by the government itself. Any social event of the so called elite overflows with alcohol while newspaper advertisements offer “a free glass of champagne” even on Mother’s day! Alcohol is prohibited only on Poya days! As if that makes citizens give up the drinking habit! The government is not ready to stop the import of cigarette but prohibits underage youth from buying them, as if it is healthier for the older ones to smoke! We are all humbugs when it comes to teaching the young right from wrong.
We often make half-hearted attempts and would like to believe they are effective. Whom are we conning, but ourselves? Shame on us! When will we have a strong leader who will be bold enough to say, “Hell with the revenue from alcohol and cigarettes! Let’s build a sincere healthy strong nation and pass rules to eradicate all vices from this blessed country of ours?
Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai,
Dehiwela |
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