Michael D. Eisner

Michael D. Eisner is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company. In the following viewpoint, which is an adaptation of a speech he gave in March 1998 to the American Society of Newspaper Editors, Eisner argues that simply because the government is forbidden by the First Amendment from practicing censorship, this does not mean the arts, news, and entertainment industries should produce vile and offensive programs, music, and other products. He asserts that these industries should take the responsibility of censoring themselves to ensure that the entertainment they produce is in good taste.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How is the First Amendment different from other legal documents, according to Eisner?
2. What examples does the author provide of media content that is permissible but undesirable if society...