Freedom of Speech, Cinema and Censorship: a Comparative Analysis of Issues of Freedom of Speech Violations as a Result of the Rating Regulation Authorities in the Motion Picture Industry in France and the United States

Motion pictures may be the single greatest cultural influence on the collective psyche, along with television. The silver screen has become a reflection of France (where it was first invented) and the United States (where cinema is a major art form) as nations. With, arguably, [sic] is the national character of these countries at stake; one would expect the government to assert a substantial interest in monitoring this powerful cultural instrument. They do so in France, the industry in charge of it in the United States. Therefore, the success of the motion picture industry has come at the expense of many silenced artistic visions and to the detriment of both of their cultural identities. However, alternatives to the present rating systems do exist and should be used in order to prevent censorship. Indeed, with some modifications, these systems as designed can work and protect creativity