Do artists/creative practitioners have more responsibility than other members of society for addressing social issues? Why? Why not?

I think that sometimes they have a lot of control over the social issues raised. I think that there is a great deal of responsibility as artists as we see art everywhere and artists do things to get a reaction which isn't always a good reaction. I some times think they really don't need to show some of the things they do show/photograph.  Having a member of the audience shocked by something they see along when they are with their child although it gets noticed its for all the wrong reasons should the child see something scary just to make sure it is eye catching? I personally think this is where the issue of responsibility lies..