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Censorship

Censorship

Censorship


 

Censorship is a large topic with numerous resources.  Before you begin, decide what you want to search & then determine the terms that best describe your subject.  For example, “censorship” is too broad a term & will return many, many results that you will have to weed through.  Also, use quotes around multi-word phrases to search for specific terms (such as “sports illustrated” not sports + illustrated).

 

Some specific censorship topics to consider...

  • The Motion Picture Association of America decided to add glamorized smoking to one of the criteria for a motion picture receiving an ‘R’ rating.
  • Scientific reports such as those by the Environmental Protection Agency on global warming and independent reports on the ineffectiveness of abstinence only sex education programs have been suppressed or censored by the Bush administration.
  • The publishers of Sports Illustrated decided not to send the swimsuit issues to school & public libraries that were subscribers.
  • Aaron McGruder’s comic strip ‘Boondocks’ was removed from various newspapers because of criticism of President Bush & his administration.
  • Robert Mapplethorpe created sexually graphic pieces of art while receiving a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.  Should federal money should be used to fund this type of art?
  • Most schools ban social networking sites.  Should this be allowed?
  • Should principals or other school administrators be able to review and/or edit a student newspaper?  The Supreme Court weighed in on this one in Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier.
  • In order to get into the China market, Google agreed to block/censor certain websites such as those searches for Buddhism or the Dalai Lama. 

 

 

Some books have been put on a cart for your use & online search tips & reputable web sites are listed below.  This project requires the use of at least 3 reference sources.  While useful for quick information, Wikipedia is not a reliable source of information & cannot be used as one of these 3 sources.

 

The Virtual Reference Collection is your best place to start searching for topics dealing with censorship.  Numerous newspapers, magazines & journals can be searched for full-text articles on your topic.  Articles can be emailed or printed for later reference as well.

 

Once you select the VRC, choose ‘High School Collection’ & look for the specific database to search (such as those under News/Periodicals) or to search multiple databases, choose ‘Central Search’ at the top of the page. 

 

 

Censorship Related Web Sites

If you don’t know what topic to choose, start with the National Coalition Against Censorship.  They address censorship related to issues in art, media, literature, science, internet, education & entertainment are all addressed.  Case reports can be searched by issue or medium and a brief timeline of censorship in the US is included.  

 

Index on Censorship for Free Expression maintains a web site that compiles international instances of censorship mostly related to journalism but does address other instances as well. 

 

The American Library Association maintains vast resources dealing with censorship & banned books at their Office of Intellectual Freedom.  The basics of Intellectual Freedom are central to all libraries.   The ALA also has a specific section on Intellectual Freedom for Young People including issues specifically related to young people & schools.