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What is the Censorship (historical practice)?
Grade Level:
Class 7
Law, Civic Literacy, Economics, FinTech, Geopolitics, Personal Finance, Indian Governance
Definition
What is it?
Censorship is when a person, group, or government prevents certain information, ideas, or artistic works from being shared with the public. This is often done to control what people see, hear, or read, usually for political, moral, or religious reasons.
Simple Example
Quick Example
Imagine your school principal decides that a particular chapter in your history textbook is too sensitive and orders it to be removed before the books are distributed to students. This act of removing information before it reaches you is a form of censorship.
Worked Example
Step-by-Step
Let's say a local newspaper wants to publish an article criticizing a new government policy about bus fares. --- Step 1: The newspaper writes the article, explaining how the new policy might affect daily commuters and auto-rickshaw drivers. --- Step 2: Before printing, a government official reviews the article. --- Step 3: The official believes the article could make people unhappy and decides it should not be published as written. --- Step 4: The official orders the newspaper to either remove the critical parts or not publish the article at all. --- Step 5: The newspaper removes the critical sections to avoid trouble. --- Answer: The government official's action of preventing the full, original article from reaching the public is an example of censorship.
Why It Matters
Understanding censorship helps you grasp how information flows in society, which is crucial in Civic Literacy and Governance. It impacts everything from what news you see to what movies you watch, influencing public opinion and even economic decisions. Careers in journalism, law, and public policy often deal with issues of censorship and freedom of speech.
Common Mistakes
MISTAKE: Thinking censorship only happens in movies or books. | CORRECTION: Censorship can apply to many forms of expression, including news articles, social media posts, music, art, and even scientific research.
MISTAKE: Believing censorship always means destroying the original content. | CORRECTION: Censorship often means preventing publication or distribution, or modifying content, rather than physically destroying the original piece.
MISTAKE: Confusing censorship with editorial decisions (like a teacher correcting your essay). | CORRECTION: Editorial decisions are usually about improving quality or accuracy within a set framework, while censorship is about suppressing content because it is deemed harmful or undesirable by an authority.
Practice Questions
Try It Yourself
QUESTION: If a TV channel is told by a government agency not to broadcast a certain news report, what is this an example of? | ANSWER: Censorship
QUESTION: A famous singer's new song has lyrics that a religious group finds offensive. The group protests and manages to get the song banned from radio stations. Is this censorship? Explain why. | ANSWER: Yes, this is an example of censorship because a group successfully prevented the public from accessing the song due to its content.
QUESTION: During a war, a country's government orders all newspapers to only publish positive news about their army and to hide any news about defeats. Why would a government do this, and what is this action called? | ANSWER: A government would do this to maintain public morale and support for the war effort, and to control public perception. This action is called censorship.
MCQ
Quick Quiz
What is the main goal of censorship?
To promote all types of information freely
To control what information reaches the public
To increase the variety of news available
To encourage open debate and discussion
The Correct Answer Is:
B
The main goal of censorship is to control or restrict information, not to promote freedom of information or open debate. It aims to filter or block content from reaching the public.
Real World Connection
In the Real World
In India, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reviews movies before they are released to the public. They can ask filmmakers to cut certain scenes or dialogues if they believe they are inappropriate or violate certain guidelines, ensuring films align with cultural and social standards. This is a form of pre-emptive censorship.
Key Vocabulary
Key Terms
SUPPRESSION: The act of forcibly stopping something from being seen or heard | CONTENT: The information or ideas presented in a piece of writing, art, or communication | AUTHORITY: The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience | PUBLIC DOMAIN: Information or works that are available to everyone and not restricted by copyright or other controls
What's Next
What to Learn Next
Next, you can learn about 'Freedom of Speech and Expression' to understand why censorship is often debated. This will help you see the other side of the coin and appreciate the importance of open communication in a democracy.
