Censorship : Freedom of Expression?

Children's Literature

The censorship of writing, speech, and thought is a timeless issue. Throughout the ages, people have struggled with the concept of balancing the right to freedom of expression with the broader social good. Censorship can effect books, speech, television programming, internet sites, art, and a host of other venues. Censorship, in its most extreme forms, is often linked to political oppression, dictatorship, and thought control. In more socially acceptable guises, censorship represents a moderate approach to limiting thoughts, deeds, or actions that are harmful to others. Yet, who determines what is allowable in any society? In this book, author Nancy Day examines the concept of censorship, its evolution, key court cases, and implications. By citing examples from the past and present, the author provides a balanced discussion of the key issues involved in censorship. Difficult questions are presented in an unbiased manner. For example, is it truly in the national interest to have a plethora of pornographic internet sites that are readily accessible to children of all ages? Conversely, if a government moves to strictly control internet access, does that action not set the stage for broader and more insidious thought control? These, and many other questions revolving around the social, legal, and ethical elements of censorship, are presented in this thoughtful book. Readers should be aware that some of the topics covered in the text are somewhat intense. For example, an open discussion of pornography and its relationship to sexual assault includes references that some readers may find offensive. The author does a fine job of presenting material in a reasonable manner that should elicitcritical discussion and debate. 2001, Lerner Publications Company, Ages 14 up, $25.26. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck

VOYA

Censorship affects many types of expression including speech, art, entertainment, school and library materials, news, and the Internet. Day addresses these issues within a broad examination of censorship. Her eight brief chapters include a historical overview with examples ranging from the ancient world to the Middle Ages, Nazism, and the Internet. She concentrates, however, on the United States and First Amendment issues, citing examples from American history and court cases from John Peter Zenger to the Comstock Law and Pico v. Island Trees to the Communications Decency Act. Within this traditional approach, Day also covers the many dimensions and viewpoints of this complicated topic. She raises specific questions but provides no easy answers. The book, part of the Pro/Con series, asks readers to examine the positions presented to understand the issues and their ramifications in a free society and to develop a personal opinion. Students should find this book helpful for school reports and interesting for personal reasons. Current news issues relating to technology, the Internet, and school censorship make this book timely, and Day provides up-to-date examples that relate directly to young adult concerns in her basic introduction to a very complex and sensitive issue. Index. Illus. Photos. Biblio. Source Notes. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2000, Lerner, 112p. PLB . Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Vicky Yablonsky SOURCE: VOYA, April 2001 (Vol. 24, No.1)

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Day presents myriad views on the subject, beginning with a definition of censorship. She makes readers aware of not only blatant abuse of First Amendment rights but also of more subtle forms, such as censoring by treating works in question differently than other works, limiting access by age appropriateness, and even the reluctance of librarians and teachers to introduce certain books for fear of repercussion. Examples range from well-known historical cases such as Pico v. Island Trees and Tinker v. Des Moines to a 1998 case where parents objected to a teacher's choice of Carolivia Herron's Nappy Hair. Separate chapters deal with censorship in school, in the entertainment industry, in art, online, and government involvement with limiting access to information. The final chapter looks to the future. Lengthy endnotes attest to the author's depth of research. Resources to contact include Web and postal addresses. A solid overview of the pros and cons of this emotionally charged subject.-Marilyn Fairbanks, Azure IRC, Brockton High School, MA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.