What is Censorship?
Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that certain persons—individuals, groups or government officials—find objectionable or dangerous. It is no more complicated than someone saying, "don't let anyone read this book, or buy that magazine, or view that film, because I object to it!"
What is Intellectual Freedom?
Intellectual Freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.
How do they Relate?
In expressing their opinions and concerns, would-be censors are exercising the same rights librarians seek to protect when they confront censorship. In making their criticisms known, people who object to certain ideas are exercising the same rights as those who created and disseminated the material to which they object. Their rights to voice opinions and try to persuade others to adopt those opinions is protected only if the rights of persons to express ideas they despise are also protected. The rights of both sides must be protected, or neither will survive.
A lengthy essay providing historical perspective, complete with examples and links.
The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) is an alliance of organizations dedicated to the protection of intellectual freedom and fighting censorship.
The American Library Association’s (ALA) Freedom to Read Statement. In short, the freedom for all people to read is crucial to American democracy. The ALA opposes any private groups and public authorities that work to remove or limit a person’s access to reading materials, and who try to purge libraries of materials they deem inappropriate.
What better way to fight censorship and the banning of books than by reading these books for ourselves! That American Library association has put together some fabulous ways to celebrate our freedom to read!
An online exhibit with a short essay and censorship related images.