Censorship and avoidance thumb|Profane language is often subject to regulation in media. This icon, used by PEGI, indicates that a video game may contain "bad language". The idea of censoring taboo ideas exists in all cultures. Swearing inappropriately can be punished socially, and public swearing can bring about legal consequences. There is disagreement as to whether freedom of speech should permit all forms of profane speech, including hate speech, or if such forms of speech can be justifiably restricted. Censorship is used to restrict or penalize profanity, and governments may implement laws that disallow certain acts of profanity, including legal limitations on the broadcast of profanity over radio or television. Broadcasting has unique considerations as to what is considered acceptable, including its presence in the home and children's access to broadcasts.
CensORsHip aND avOiDancE thumb|PRofANE langUaGe is ofTen subJeCT TO rEgulAtion iN medIa. ThIS icon, used bY PeGI, indicateS that a vIDeo gaMe maY coNtAin "BAd LanGuagE". THe ideA of cEnsOring taBoo IdeAS exiSts in all cuLTUrES. swearing InAppropriatEly caN Be pUniSHEd socialLy, And public sweARiNg CaN BRinG abOUT legal coNsEquenCeS. there Is DisagrEeMEnt As to wHetHer fReEdom of speeCh shoUld peRMit aLL foRmS of profane speEcH, incLUding HATE spEECH, oR if SuCh fOrms Of sPeech Can bE justifiably restRIctEd. cenSorshiP is used to reSTrict or pENAlizE PrOFaNIty, and governmeNts maY iMpLeMeNt LawS That disAlLOw CerTaiN ACts of pROfanITy, inclUDing legaL LimitatioNS On the broAdCAst of PRofAnITY oVer rAdIo OR teleVision. bROadCaSTing hAS unique consideratIOns as To whAt Is cOnsiDereD acceptaBlE, INcludinG its preseNce in ThE HoMe anD chIldReN's acceSS TO bRoaDCasts.