Abstract
The paper discusses how Nadine Gordimer, in her work "A Writer's Freedom", recognizes that any form of communication including writing is never completely free from some form of censorship, restriction or even suppression. The paper examines how, despite this, Gordimer asserts in her work that writers have an obligation and duty to present not only what is truthful and honest, but also their representation of that which occurs in society. The paper further analyzes how, in doing so, according to Gordimer, the writer is set free, free from control, suppression and censorship. The paper concludes that the writer is the one person perhaps in a categorized and segregated society with the power to set himself free and express himself liberally, even facing the political constraints of race segregation and suppression.

From the Paper
"Writers have no need according to Gordimer to impose self-limiting censors or suppress their thoughts and concerns. By nature their very work is liberating. The freedom that comes with writing however is not without consequence. Gordimer's assertions regarding the freedom's afforded writers and others in the communication arts comes after a stay in South Africa during the years of Apartheid, where censorship and suppression of freedoms and beliefs were commonplace."

Tags:censorship, South, Africa, apartheid

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that reactions to Dixie Chicks anti-war sentiments is proof that American freedom and Constitution-protected free speech is being squandered and illustrates how government dissent is becoming criminal. The writer maintains however, that the blame for the nation's censorship cannot be solely placed on the public, but lies deeper in society, in fundamental liberty protectors, and in government. The writer notes that the constitutional protection of free speech, freedom of press, freedom from government seizures without cause, freedom of association - all basic rights that the nation's founding fathers view as non-negotiable necessities to fight the evils of a police state - are under attack. The writer points out that the feeling of nationwide fear coupled with oppressive government tactics, notably the Patriot Act, has divided our country into two opposing groups and suppressed the anti-war side.

From the Paper
"Now police and other law officials are allowed to investigate and arrest citizens without worrying about warrant. It allows police to act on their instinct and question anyone who they think may have connections to domestic terrorism without requiring a sanction from the courts. This is a huge disruption in the checks and balances system, where it eliminates the need for the court of law for authorization. This was a major blow to our civil liberties - depriving us of due process of law and freedom of speech among other freedoms.
"The biggest catalyst in political division is actually a secondary reactant, not directly from the government as the Patriot Act, but instead influenced by the government. It is the new patriotism spawned out of warped feelings of mandatory allegiance and national hysteria and fear following September 11th. The mindset has been established that those who are pro-America are good and those who are pro-Iraq are bad but those who are anti-war are bad as well. You cannot be in the middle you must take a side. Neutralism is the enemy."

Tags:President, Bush, terrorists, Iraq, liberty

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the concept of freedom of speech and the history of free speech and censorship in the USA. According to this paper, the American public also need to understand that if there is not equal protection for the rights of everyone then society will never truly be free. This paper questions that perhaps the answer exists in learning from a multitude of voices about both the subjects that inspire us and the subjects that remind us of the type of people that Americans will never want to be.

From the Paper
"America is considered the freest society in the world. Here people are free to make choices about their lives that deal with education, shelter, political affiliations, and government support. This free choice often leads Americans to believe that they have the largest voice of any citizenry, and a constitution that will support their ability to be heard. Yet, within the country there are issues of free speech and censorship that continue to be debated in the judicial system, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Therefore, although the country has made great strides in defining what is considered free speech and what is illegal censorship throughout the decades, it is apparent that this concern will always have a new focus of consideration because American citizens will never stop fighting for their freedoms."

Tags:speech, censorship, freedom

Abstract
The writer of this paper discusses the censorship of books in schools and how some books are condemned and challenged by schools because of the use of curse words or violence, homosexuality, sex, rebellion, the occult or countless other things. The writer stresses his opinion against censorship in the paper and also his feelings on how it is not only a violation of our freedom of speech, but it infringes on our education and our right to choose what we read.

From the Paper
"Freedom of speech is the cornerstone upon which the United States was founded. So essential is it to our national identity that it is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. It is essential to democracy. Without it all other rights are diminished to the point where there is no real freedom whatsoever. The freedom to read is a necessary corollary to the freedom of speech; it is also integral to democracy. Yet this most important constitutional liberty is constantly under attack by those who (ironically, often in the name of "freedom") would restrict the rights of others to read what they choose - often for the most ridiculous of reasons. This is a matter of great concern to our society."

Tags:1st, ammendment, banning, bias, book, censors, censorship, explicit, first, freedom, literary, material, speech, textbooks

Abstract
This paper argues that censorship is incompatible with a functioning democracy and carries out a fundamental examination of democracy to see why this is so. The paper shows how censorship emerges in non-democratic regimes and how it easily descends into modes of oppression. The paper also shows how censorship is replaced by social responsibility in democratic societies in order to thwart the abuse of freedoms. The paper goes on to argue that to inculcate responsibility is the only way forward and presents the "war on terrorism" and the Internet as test cases for the thesis.

From the Paper
"The argument against censorship assumes that everybody in society is a responsible adult. Locke's philosophy of natural rights is the basis to the Constitution. If we examine this philosophy carefully we find that it depends on the autonomous individual, one who is capable of making decisions for himself, and is indeed an end in himself (Jasper 161). This may be correct from a philosophical point of view, but it ignores the reality of minors and irresponsible adults. Children need to be guided, and therefore they also need to be protected from material that is harmful to the building of character. The proper sphere for this sort of action is the family. Parents must determine what their children consume from wider culture. This may seem like an uphill struggle when the wider culture is saturated with harmful material. But if all parents acted responsibly then it is likely that society sets guidelines towards cultural production, i.e., there is instituted a form of self-censorship in the cultural industries. The same argument may apply to other social spheres, e.g. professional and corporate. Only if the elders act responsibly does a culture of responsibility prevail."

Tags:Freedom, of, speech, civil, liberties, first, amendment, patriot, act, totalitarian

Abstract
The computer age has produced renewed debate pertaining to questions of freedom and speech, as opposed to censorship. This discussion ventures to explain how the advent of the so-called Information Age does not really alter the dynamics of a longstanding question, or rather a set of questions, that have been basic to political theory among other of the social sciences. Two articles selected from The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, on radically different topics, help to reveal certain approaches to all questions of communications, the media, and the 'post-modern' age, within academic research. These materials are examined en route to sections that focus directly on issues of the internet and freedom of expression.

Tags:freedom, of, expression

Abstract
The paper claims that censorship on the Internet represents one of the greatest threats to the integrity and usefulness of the Internet as a medium for the exchange of information. The paper argues against totalitarian and repressive regimes controlling their citizenry by means of censorship. It further argues against those that wish to foist their own morals on others by limiting the access individuals have to pornographic material. The paper asserts that censorship is a practice that is exacted by the powerful upon the weak to forward some agenda. The paper contends that as a practice, censorship should be eliminated on the Internet or, at the very least, reduced at every opportunity.

From the Paper
"The growing ubiquity of the Internet means that new issues, once confined to the "real" world, have spilled over into cyberspace. Censorship in particular has been a significant concern ever since the Internet grew into a popular medium of communication. Now, unfortunately, censorship is no longer a concern; instead, it is a reality on the Internet and one that seems to be ever-increasing. Censorship on the Internet represents one of the greatest threats to the integrity and usefulness of the Internet as a medium for the exchange of information."

Tags:information, pornography, totalitarian, regimes, freedom, limitations

Abstract
This is a persuasive paper that analyzes the proponents of censorship. In recent years, the American entertainment industry has undergone vast changes in aspects such as music, television and Internet, and what began as innocent entertainment is no longer. Censorship is emerging into the limelight once again, as children are immensely affected by what they see, and their intentions of repeating what they see makes censorship ever more important today. The amount of violence in all forms of entertainment must somehow be regulated or censored in some way to protect the innocent youth of today.

From the Paper
"Please note the following: "Where Them Ho's At;" "Tits;" and "Simple Instructions for Assembling a Bomb with Household Materials." The title of a song, a word used in a TV drama, and something easily accessible from the Internet. What might these three things have in common? They are all salient factors in the corruption of today's youth. These are not the types of programs and songs our country's future leaders should have access to. "Entertainment" such as this has been proven to cause aggression in young children, causing them to be more prone to use violence to settle disputes. It also exposes children to adult situations they are not yet suited to understand, which in turn confuses them. More stringent laws must be passed for the sake of our nation's impressionable, innocent young children."

Tags:television, censor, censorship, entertainment, free, freedom, industry, internet, political, speech, youth, internet, music

Abstract
This paper discusses the topic of censorship in American music and, specifically, it names some groups or bands that were subject to censorship during their careers and the ways were they censored. It also looks at song lyrics that were "bleeped out" or otherwise edited and warning labels on recordings. It explores how American music has existed since the 19th century and has grown tremendously since the advent of rap, hip-hop, and rock and roll, and how censorship may seem logical because of the escalating number of violent and hateful lyrics in popular music. It also debates whether this kind of censorship makes a mockery of our Constitution, which guarantees our right to free speech and our right to disagree.

From the Paper
"Music censorship is an ongoing trial for musicians and composers in America, partly because music is such an integral part of our lives. As one expert wrote, "Music, patterns of organized sound and silence in time, is important to people, evidenced by the presence of some form of music in virtually every culture. Not every person cares about any one particular piece of music, but almost every person cares about something musical" (Bindas xi). While much attention has been given to the censorship of music in the past decade, in fact, musical censorship has a long history in America."

Tags:constitution, freedom, culture, musicians, composers