Censorship

Introduction

Censorship is the act of suppressing or controlling speech, public communication, or other information on the grounds that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient. It can be carried out by governments, private organisations, or individuals, and it has been a feature of human societies for centuries. While sometimes justified as necessary for security or public safety, censorship is often a tool of control, clashing directly with the principles of freedom of thought and expression that are fundamental to a democratic society.

Learning objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

• Define censorship and identify its different forms and methods.
• Explain the most common reasons why governments or other groups censor information.
• Provide historical and contemporary examples of censorship in action.
• Understand the concept of self-censorship and its "chilling effect."
• Analyse the negative impacts of censorship on individual freedom and societal progress.

What is Censorship? …