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A "censor" screen added for humor when using Devour in Final Fantasy VIII.

Censorship refers to the suppression of material that may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, politically incorrect or inconvenient as determined by governments, media outlets, authorities or other groups or institutions. In video games, things are sometimes censored due to ratings concerns. The Final Fantasy series games have seen some changes from their original versions due to sensitivities towards profanity, religious imagery, sexual imagery and violence and gory content.

The 1990 North American localization was essentially identical to the original Japanese game. Technical limitations, and the censorship policies of Nintendo of America, resulted in a few minor changes to certain elements, however. Nintendo of America policy prohibited games from featuring any overt Judeo-Christian imagery or reference to death. Some graphics were modified so that, for instance, churches, renamed "clinics", no longer featured crosses. This is also probably why the Kill spell was renamed as "Rub".

Following the successful release of the original Final Fantasy by Nintendo in 1990, Square Soft, Square's North American subsidiary, began work on an English language localization of Final Fantasy II. Although a beta version was produced, and the game was advertised in several Square Soft trade publications, the age of the original Japanese game and the arrival of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the NES's successor console, led Square Soft to cancel work on the Final Fantasy II localization in favor of the recently released Final Fantasy IV (which, to avoid confusing North American gamers, was retitled Final Fantasy II).

Even at the prototype stage changes had been made from the original version due to the religious imagery policies Nintendo had at the time: The Star of David used in a dungeon design was replaced with a triangle, and the cross that replaces a character's face on the pause screen at death was replaced with a gravestone.

In one cutscene in the original version, Rosa is rescued at the last moment from being executed by a giant scythe. The scythe was replaced with a giant metal ball in the North American version. Religious imagery was removed, such as "Holy" being renamed "White" (though one use of the word "Holy" was used by the Elder of Mysidia as he instructs Cecil on how to be a Paladin). The Tower of Prayers in Mysidia was renamed the Tower of Wishes (though one instance of "pray" was still left in, uttered by the Black Mage in the tower). Textual edits removed references to death and violence, partially to adhere to Nintendo's family friendly content guidelines.

In the original Japanese SNES release, the dancing dirl that appears in pubs removes her red dress to reveal a bikini underneath before dancing and getting dressed again. The segment of her undressing was censored out of the original North American release. It was restored in the Game Boy Advance release, but was again censored in the North American and European version for the PlayStation Portable.

The artworks of Rydia, Porom, and Ursula have been altered to be less revealing for the overseas releases.

The sprite of the boss Melusine was changed for the remastered version, depicting her with the less revealing clothes seen in Amano's artwork ().

The final bosses showing censorship (JP/NA).

In the original North American SNES version the spell Holy was renamed "Pearl", the summon "Jihad" was renamed to "Crusader", and Hell's Rider to "Rider". Many sprites were also censored. Overly revealing sprites, such as Siren, Lakshmi (Starlet), Alluring Rider (Critic), Chadarnook (woman), Goddess, Power (Hit), Magic, Lady (Girl), and another untargettable part on the final boss, were censored. The smoke for Misty and her palette-swaps were removed. Pub signs were changed to cafe signs. The PlayStation version uses all uncensored sprites from the original Japanese release. Siren sprite was re-censored in the localized GBA versions, but not as much as in the SNES release. Chadarnook Goddess sprite was also re-censored for the localized GBA, censoring the same areas but is not the same as the SNES sprite.

Kefka's line when the party ran away from him on chocobos was censored. In the Japanese version he says "", literally translated to "Arggg.... you scums! I will definitely pay you back for this!". In the overseas release, depending on the version, he either says "Son of a submariner! They'll pay for this..." (SNES/PSX version) or "Son of a sandworm! You'll pay for this..." (GBA/PC/iOS).

During the scene where Locke sees Celes imprisoned in South Figaro, she is no longer being beaten by the guards in the GBA version, and they merely taunt her. The censoring of Celes's beating isn't from the localization; this was also present in the Japanese Advance version. The scene where Celes is being tortured by the Gestahlian Empire was removed because the original Final Fantasy VI was created before the Japanese ratings board, CERO, existed. Violence is rated strictly in Japan, and Square wanted a CERO A rating for the Game Boy Advance version, which would have been impossible if a game depicts violence against a restrained human.[1]

The conversation between Edgar and Relm during their first meeting in Thamasa was censored. In the Japanese version, after Edgar learned about Relm's age (10), he said to himself: "I need to get a hold of myself... or it's going to be a crime". In the English versions, Edgar says: "Not even a lady yet. Here's hoping you're still around in eight years, kid". In the Japanese versions, Relm used harsh language, especially for someone her age. The overseas versions toned down the dialogue so that, while still biting, her words are overall clean.

Final Fantasy VII employs some self-censorship. The concept art for Corel Prison shows the billboard for Shinra Electric Power Company spray-painted over with the word "Fuck". In the final game, the word is further painted over turning it into "Pyck". The brothel Honey Bee Inn also initially had more content, but these were removed early, their remains only existing as dummied content in the original Japanese version.

Cloud Strife, Cid Highwind and Barret Wallace's use of the word "shit" and Tifa Lockhart's use of the word "Wench" was censored for the PC version, turning it into symbols, although one instance of it was missed: if the player examines the blue lights in the Forgotten Capital with Cid as party leader, his reaction still uses the word even in the PC versions.

The Minerva statue seen in the Banora Underground was redesigned from the Japanese version for its English release, as the original model was deemed to resemble depictions of the Virgin Mary.

In the original Japanese version, the boss Gerogero's organs were red. The change to blue for the localized versions was probably made because the red makes the organs protruding from the creature look far more real. The red version of Gerogero can also be seen in both the BradyGames and Piggyback Interactive official strategy guides for Final Fantasy VIII.

The Ultimecia Castle's armory originally had red blood on the wall, but in the localized versions it has turned green.

The weapon Selphie wields is called nunchaku in the NTSC versions and "shinobou" in the PAL version, due to nunchaku's status as an illegal weapon in the UK.

When the player uses the Devour command they get a "Censored...please stand by" message while eating sounds play on the background. Nothing is actually censored; the scene is in every version of the game and is included for humor.

The scene where Penelo is held hostage is censored from the Japanese version.

The scene where Penelo is tied up in Ba'Gamnan's Lhusu Mines hideout was cut from the original Japanese version of the game to get a lower rating. Producer Akitoshi Kawazu has explained the decision to do this thusly: "[...] at the time right before the Japanese release there were various incidents in the real world which...basically there were some similarities there that would have made it a difficult thing to release at the lower age rating that we wanted."[2]

This is a rare case of a Final Fantasy game being censored for Japan, but not for overseas versions. The "incidents in the real world" Kawazu refers to, but does not specify, may refer to Tsutomu Miyazaki, a Japanese serial killer who abducted and murdered four young girls in Saitama and Tokyo Prefectures from August 1988 to June 1989. His death sentence was upheld by the Japanese supreme court in January 2006, two months before Final Fantasy XII came out.

Comparison of the Shiva models.

The Chinese version has an altered model for Shiva with a skin-tight shiny outfit rather than appearing almost nude, and less pale skin. Skeletons and liches were also altered for the Chinese version.

Early material for Final Fantasy Versus XIII had the kingdom of Lucis worship the Grim Reaper more prominently. This was toned down when the game became Final Fantasy XV due to ratings concerns in certain countries.

Prompto Argentum's vest had a tag that read "It's a beautiful day now watch some bastard fuck it up" in the earlier renders for his character, and in the Final Fantasy XV Episode Duscae demo. This is an actual tag available from the clothing company Roen that collaborated to design the main cast's outfits for the game. In the final game the message is changed to "It's a beautiful day now watch some bastard mess it up", although in the Windows Edition it still says "fuck it up" in the highest settings.

The Chadarnook enemy is based on the enemy of the same name from Final Fantasy VI, and is largely similar in appearance as a nude woman with clouds covering her privates. It is the target of a quest from Vyv Dorden, who tasks the party with photographing the famous daemon for his magazine. When he receives the photograph, he remarks that the picture is too risqu for his magazine, lampshading the enemy's previous censorship in VI.

In the bestiary, the 3D models of Shiva, Chadarnook and Melusine are locked from free-rotation, unlike other creature models. In the Dossiers, it is possible to rotate and zoom in on the male characters but not the female ones.

In the HD version, Kazusa's swimsuit model and Emina's lingerie model were removed from the Historical Personae. They were viewable as alternate outfits in the Rubicus after completing the characters' sidequests in the PlayStation Portable version.

The final battle with Wiegraf Folles is different depending on the version played. Ramza Beoulve and Wiegraf converse numerous times, but a line that is missing in Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions port is Wiegraf stating how religion is perceived in the world in response to Ramza calling him a hypocrite for taking the sides that he has. This was likely removed as it might be offensive to people in the newer version.

In the Japanese version, a scene at the beginning of the game was modified for the English release. In real life, the death of his wife, Remedi, caused Cid to fall into a drunk stupor. His depression was downplayed in the English version of the game, where Mewt and his friends catch him cringing before his superiors at work.

The Holy spell was censored to White.

The magic circle in Wendel was a hexagram (Star of David) in the original Japanese version. It was changed to an octagram for the North American and European versions. Also, Sumo and Amanda were looking for Medusa's blood, not her tears.

God was changed to Creator due to the Video Game Content Guidelines set by Nintendo of America.

On Edo World, the bananas mentioned in the story were originally opium in the Japanese version.

The word Holy was censored to White; this affects the white magic Holy and the Holy Lance. The Holy Swords were renamed to Mystic Swords.

The western release has been modified with characters' outfits made less revealing and some outfits being completely removed from the game. Some characters have been aged a couple years compared to the Japanese game. Airy's third boss form is more revealing in the Japanese version.

The character Aimee Matchlock who has a Native American-themed job class and outfit, had her job title and outfit altered to a cowboy theme in the overseas releases. Magnolia Arch's Planeswarden Garb had a white line placed through the outfit's slit in the overseas releases. Bonsoir Bunny and Bravo Bunny's stomach holes were filled in and the thighs were covered. The Eastern War Garb's bottom half was covered up with a toga.

The Signet artworks for many female summons have been altered to be less revealing in the localization of Final Fantasy Dimensions II. Examples include Sylph's default appearance being changed into a leotard and stockings being added to the Mind Flayer summon.

Wol was designed with a lightweight costume for his initial "Onion Knight" gear, seeing that it was intended as a "bare bones" job. In response to player feedback, however, the design was changed to cover up more.[3]

Japanese (left) and Global (right).

One of Kefka's stickers was censored in the global version. The texts in the image of "Chikushou!" (!, damn it!) sticker was changed to "Son of a sub!". However, since the game shares the same voice overs with the Japanese version, the bad word can still be heard. The Japanese sticker can also be considered censored as well, since it's not exactly what Kefka said in Final Fantasy VI script (kusso, ). Despite being a foul language, "chikushou" means "damn it", while "kusso" on the other hand have various meanings including "damn it", "scum", and "shit". The voice actor also voiced this sticker as "Chikushaaaaa!" instead of saying the word directly.

See the article here:
Censorship | Final Fantasy Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia

If you click around Facebooks Government Request Report, youll notice that, for many countries, Facebook enumerates the number of content restrictions the company has fulfilled. This is a sanitized term for censorship.

For example, Facebook restricted access to three items of content on its site to comply with Brazilian court orders. Facebook restricted access to 15 pieces of content to comply with Israeli laws banning Holocaust denial. Facebook restricted access to 3,624 pieces of content in Turkey and another 5,832 pieces of content in India, all under a variety of nefarious censorship laws.

But if you click over to the United States, Facebooks home country, youll find that the content restrictions category is conspicuously missing.

This is odd, considering that Facebook has been suspending the accounts of inmates in the U.S. for at least four years at the behest of prison officials. Facebook even had an easy and confidential Inmate Takedown form corrections officers could fill out to make the profiles disappear.

We know for a fact that Facebook processed 74 requests for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation alone in 2014. Between California and the state of South Carolina, we also know Facebook processed more than 700 takedown requests over the last four years. We could file public records requests in all 50 states to learn more, but since Facebooks system allowed prisons to file these requests without creating a paper trail, only Facebook knows how many requests it has complied with nationwide. We believe it may reach into thousands.

In direct response to Facebooks secrecy, as well as inconsistencies in Facebooks explanations of the takedown process, we have added a new category to Who Has Your Back?, our annual scorecard that evaluates how companies handle government requests. To earn a star in the category for Disclosing Government Content Removal Requests, companies do not have to reject government requests, but just be transparent about how they handle these requests.

As we write in the report, Twitters transparency report is a particularly good example; not only does the company produce the data, but it publishes an interactive map that users can explore to review details about content removal requests. Google also provides data about government requests to remove content, including dozens of examples with information on the nature of the request and the outcome.

Facebook is somewhat unique when it comes to prisoner takedown requests. Based on information we have received through public records requests filed in several states, inmates are more often caught using Facebook than any other service. But this isnt just about prisoner accounts. The fact that Facebook has not been reporting these takedown requests raises larger questions about what other kinds of censorship Facebook has been hiding.

In its report, Google gave examples in the U.S., such as a request from a law enforcement officer asking the company to remove a link to a negative news story from its search results and a request from a government agency to remove an allegedly defamatory video about a school administrator. (Google complied with neither request, but included both in its transparency report.)

If Google received requests to takedown this kind of content, then we believe it is highly likely that Facebook has received them as well. In the coming months, we may even see more direct evidence of this through crowdsourced reports at OnlineCensorship.org, an alpha-stage project co-founded by EFF Director for International Freedom of Expression Jillian York.

In preparing 2015s Who Has Your Back? report we gave Facebook multiple opportunities to come clean about government requests to suppress content. Although the company did overhaul its inmate takedown process, it still refuses to release top line numbers for the United States.

Its too late for Facebook to earn a star in this category for 2015, but theres still time for Facebook to establish trust with its users. We urge Facebook to publish the data and show U.S. government agencies that censorship shouldnt happen in the dark.

See original here:
Why Facebook Failed Our Censorship Test | Electronic ...

Not a good look.

Image: Laurent Hamels/getty

Get ready for your head to explode.

In the middle of TEDxBrussels talk on March 5 that focused on censorship, a male event organizer walked onto the stage and physically dragged the female presenter off. And the kicker? The theme of the entire TEDx event was Brave New World as in, yes, the Aldous Huxley book about a dystopian future wherein an all-powerful state controls the lives of its citizens.

And it only gets worse from there.

According to the TEDxBrussels website, the presenter, artist Deborah De Robertis, was in the middle of a piece addressing past censorship of her artwork. The forcible removal of her from stage was so absurd, reports the Netherlands newspaper NRC Handelsblad, that audience members initially applauded thinking it was a statement about censorship.

It wasn't.

This was made clear by a statement TED staff posted to their blog.

"Today at TEDxBrussels, an independently organized TEDx event, speaker and performance artist Deborah De Robertis was forcibly removed from the stage by one of the events organizers, who objected to the talks content," the group notes. "We have reviewed the situation and spoken with the organizer. While we know there are moments when it is difficult to decide how to respond to a situation, this response was deeply inappropriate."

What was so allegedly objectionable that in the eyes of organizers it merited force to silence? Why that would be De Robertis projecting photos of one of her past works, which included nudity. NRC Handelsblad reports that she was in the middle of doing this when she was organizers lost it. And in a truly messed up moment of painful irony, the man who grabbed her and pulled her across the floor appeared to remove the artist's shirt exposing her breasts in the process.

TED's response was swift. "We are immediately revoking the TEDxBrussels license granted to this individual," concluded the TED staff statement.

But this was not enough for De Robertis, who tweeted several statements following the incident demanding a chance to present her talk in full.

Clearly, the event organizers have a lot to learn about censorship and art. Maybe they should attend a conference addressing that very issue... oh, wait.

Go here to read the rest:
TEDxBrussels censors presenter mid anti-censorship talk

The role censorship plays in governing people is truly something one must grasp to understand contemporary international and domestic politics.This sample research paper reflects how government leaders and organizations have continued to use censorship in an effort to control people more effectively.

Conservative views are a group of beliefs that have not experienced much in the way of change. Through the censorship of modern thought, expression and belief, conservative minds have been able to preserve their noticeably closed minded way of doing things. Censorship dates back as far as the age of antiquity and further with Socrates being one of the first notable figures to perish at its hands. Some have come to view the government as a savior for censoring what they consider wrong, while others see the government as overly authoritative in its attempt to pass judgement upon what is right or acceptable for the masses. While censorship is often viewed as a relatively moralistic venture, throughout history, it has actually been one of the key tools by which governments have maintained their control.

Over the years the fight for censorship has proven to be dangerous for those who oppose it. History has shown that even though the government was created to help people, their views of what they consider "corrupt" or "profane" have frequently been called into question. According to BeaconForFreedom.org:

Perhaps the most famous censorship in ancient times is that of Socrates, sentenced to drink poison in 399 BC for his corruption of youth and his acknowledgement of unorthodox divinities.(Newth).

Many think that the government hides the truth behind the guise of protecting the innocence of youth, while others believe that the world is safe from the true evils that surrounds them. Some decisions that governments have made have left endless questions about why censorship ever came into existence. While government policies still insist that freedom of expression is an inherent human right, it seems to feel that it can place limitations upon how far this freedom extends. Whether it is music, newspapers, or media, the government will always play a hand in the extent to which free expression can be exercised, though the view of its use in America has changed as time has passed.

While the censorship of music has cause the greatest stir in modern history, the age of censorship first appeared in print. In early years of the mass marketed press, owners wallowed in defeat if their newspapers were censored, often experiencing a shutdown of their businesses if censorship was employed. In America, the freedoms granted by the 1st amendment to the Constitution are often called into question by censorship. Though many elements of censorship have changed where the free press is involved, not all views of what should be shared is taken lightly. The censorship of the printed word doesnt just affect newspapers read around the world. High school press papers are well known examples of censorship, due to the perceived "fragility" of young minds. This "preservation of youthful innocence" has long been a shield behind which the supporters of censorship have hidden. The decisions made may not be acceptable or fair to those who oppose them, but the protection of the innocence of youth will always be what is most important for many.

One example of censorship and the question of academic freedom was in the case of Hazelwood School District vs Kuhlmeier. Students who worked for the school paper at Hazelwood East in 1983 thought that it would be a noble idea to dedicate certain parts of the paper to students who:

Once the schools principal, Robert Reynolds, read the proofs of the articles, however, he wanted them removed from the paper. With this decision being made, the students in charge of the paper were outraged, accusing the principal of censorship of freedom of press. Even though the students who were interviewed in the articles were not named, the principal still felt that it was too much of a risk to take in allowing the newspaper be read by other students and teachers. Reynolds feared that the students who were talked about in these articles would be discovered and that it would have been a matter of time before harm came to them.

Music has long been a target of censors and continues to be one in the 21st century. For many, censorship represents all that is wrong with the world and that secrets and hidden truths are concealed behind the walls of government. For many parts of the world, the eyes of the people are closed to the secrets carried in their government due to censorship which has been attributed to the concealment of:

Still other atrocities remain hidden behind the veil of censorship, keeping the public ignorant to them. For some, censorship can either hurt a community or raise its values to higher standards. However, censorship does protect the innocence in situations where safety can be compromised. In the Hazelwood School District case, it is conceivable that protection was needed due to harm that could have come to the students that were discussed in the school paper. The newest target of censorship is understandably the internet. There has long been a cry to the government to impose regulations on content available online.

Censorship may not always be fully understood or appreciated by those it is designed to "protect", but it is sometimes needed for the building of the core values of youth. Like any new policy, law, or rule, there are elements that are not liked or respected. Boundaries will always be tested with censorship, because some believe that no one, particularly the government, should be the judge of what is right and what is wrong beyond established law. Figures of authority will eternally strive to "protect the innocent" that they feel cannot judge or fend for themselves. However, there will always be those who stand in opposition. Certainly, it can be said that there are some things that we probably should not know or see due to its graphic nature and ability to disrupt the emotional well-being of our otherwise happy lives. The question that remains, however, is who gets to decide this?

Newth, Mette. The Long History of Censorship. 2010. Norway.< http://www.beaconforfreedom.org/liste.html?tid=415&art_id=475>.

Zeinert, Karen. Free Speech: From Newspapers to Music Lyrics. New Jersey. Enslow, 1995.

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Yes, were back at CPAC, and, as always, with a panel that addresses one of the most urgent issues of the day:

Suppression of Conservative Views on Social Media: A First Amendment Issue

Major social media platforms such as Google, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube have created the new town square, having become the primary portals through which Americans receive news today. On these platform, the Left has a monopoly. The social media giants are moving actively to erase and hide any viewpoint or person that does not conform to the progressive values for which they stand.

This has resulted in massive losses of readership and revenue for conservative sites, and endangers the very freedom of our Republic by allowing only one point of view to be aired. The social media corporations today hold more power over the public discourse than any totalitarian regime ever held. They do not just target voices with whom they disagree, but they make sure that those voices are unable to sustain themselves.

This panel will discuss the magnitude of this phenomenon, and discuss ways that the power of these Leftist social media outlets can be limited, such that voices that dissent from the hard-Left agenda can again be freely heard.

February 23, 2018, 3:00 pm Chesapeake B-C

Panelists will include:

James Damore, Google whistleblower

Harmeet K. Dhillon, renowned free speech attorney

Dan Gainor, Vice President for Business and Culture, Media Research Center

Pamela Geller, Editor and Publisher, Geller Report, President, American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) and author of Fatwa: Hunted in America

Jim Hoft, Editor-in-Chief, Gateway Pundit

James OKeefe, Project Veritas

Marlene Jaeckel, Tech entrepreneur

America, the worlds first government based on individual rights and personal liberty, should be on the forefront of the defense of freedom of speech across the world, the light among nations, the shining city on a hill. Instead, social media giants, run by uniformly leftwing corporate managers, have become the new totalitarians. This evokes the worst totalitarian regimes in the history of the world. Never in modern history has such immense power been in the hands of so few.

Panelist James OKeefe added: Social media giants in Silicon Valley have quickly become the worlds most powerful media gatekeepers, even more powerful than the mainstream media.We exposed Twitter forsilencing and shadow banning people they do not agree with, and propagated their preferred views for political and financial purposes.

Panelist Dan Gainor said: Tech/social media companies are vastly more powerful than their old media predecessors in print and TV ever were. Weve already seen some of the dangers of what happens when that power is abused. This isnt just a panel discussion about what might happen. This is a wake-up call for the entire conservative movement.

Another panelist, Jim Hoft, observed: 2016 was the first election where conservatives fled the liberal mainstream media. After decades of smears and abuse they found the truth in conservative media online. Today there are forces working to make sure this does not happen again. Its time to stand up before its too late.

This groundbreaking panel discussion follows on the heels of Cant We Talk About This? The Islamic Jihad Against Free Speech, our shocking new film detailing the concerted effort by international organizations to compel the U.S. and other Western countries to curtail the freedom of speech and criminalize criticism of Islam.

This issue the suppression of the freedom of speech on social media affects all of us on the right. In fact, it is the most critical issue of the day: if we are stripped of the means to communicate with one another, its all over. It was free people speaking freely on social media, outside of the reach of the media establishment, that got Donald Trump elected President of the United States. When the left lost the election, they lost their mind.

We must not allow the left to strip us of the weapons we used to win that victory. Thats what well be fighting for at CPAC.

Pamela Geller is the President of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), publisher of The Geller Report and author of the bestselling book, FATWA: Hunted in America, as well asThe Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administrations War on America and Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance. Follow her on TwitterorFacebook.

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GELLER: Social Media Censorship Panel at CPAC James Damore ...