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Censorship: Home

Censorship Doesn't Affect Me

What is censorship? 

Censorship is a topic that touches many issues, both in the past and in our present. 

According to the Encyclopedia of Politics, censorship is the limitation of expression that is deemed to be "dangerous" or "threatens societal norms" (Purdy, 2005). It is a complicated and nuanced topic, one that reaches into many areas of study, such as entertainment and media, journalism, literature, intellectual freedom, and politics.

Most people think that censorship only happens in other countries, or as something that only happened in the past (like the infamous Nazi book burnings). But many polls show that support for censorship is increasing - not decreasing - like this 2015 survey in the United States. If you take a look at this guide, you will see that censorship of books, movies, music and the internet happens all the time.

Purdy, E. (2005). Censorship. In R. P. Carlisle (Ed.), Encyclopedia of politics (1st ed.). SAGE. 

Know Your Rights #1

Canadian Bill of Rights Part 1

1. It is hereby recognized and declared that in Canada there have existed and shall continue to exist without discrimination by reason of race, national origin, colour, religion or sex, the following human rights and fundamental freedoms, namely,

  • (a) the right of the individual to life, liberty, security of the person and enjoyment of property, and the right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law;
  • (b) the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law;
  • (c) freedom of religion;
  • (d) freedom of speech;
  • (e) freedom of assembly and association; and
  • (f) freedom of the press.

From: The Government of Canada's Justice Laws Website

Introduction to Censorship by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom

Some Canadian Censorship Links Of Interest

BC Court Cases involving freedom of expression, from the BC Civil Liberties Association

Censorship articles from the Canadian Encyclopedia online (keyword searching the entire encyclopedia will bring up over 70 censorship related articles)

Centre for Law and Democracy

Index On Censorship

PEN Canada protects authors from censorship and persecution while trying to generally raise awareness around freedom of expression

Hate Speech and the Law in British Columbia Q&A from British Columbia's Office of Human Rights Commissioner

Know Your Rights #2

Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms

1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.

Fundamental Freedoms

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

  • (a) freedom of conscience and religion;
  • (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
  • (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
  • (d) freedom of association.

From: The Government of Canada's Justice Laws Website