Sex, Lies, and Video Compact Disc

Abstract

This study investigates the third-person perception and both preventive and punitive explanations for support for media censorship in the context of a controversial sexual video compact disc (VCD) that exposed the private sex life of a Taiwanese politician. The preventive explanation views support for censorship as a preventive action to protect others from threatening media effects; the punitive explanation argues that individuals’ favorable attitudes toward media censorship reflect their intention to penalize the media for the harm done to the subject of the communication. The study shows strong support for the third-person perception of media effects and suggests a punitive explanation for support for government’s censorship. The preventive explanation received only partial support. In addition, support for censorship was also extended from attitudes toward government restrictions to behaviors. Findings indicate that individuals’ reluctance to disseminate sexual content was predicted by exposure to the communication and self-efficacy in using new technology.