Mission & History
Our Mission
Every generation of Americans faces new and significant challenges to free expression. For almost 50 years, NCAC has acted as a first responder to protect this freedom, which is both a fundamental human right and a keystone of democracy in the ever-changing American nation. We promote freedom of thought and inquiry and oppose censorship. When controversy occurs, we encourage and facilitate dialogue between divergent voices and perspectives, including those that have historically been silenced.
We envision an American society that understands, values, defends, and vigorously exercises free expression in a just, egalitarian, diverse, and inclusive democracy.
Our Rule of Four (Core Beliefs)
- Free expression is fundamental to both individuals and society. The right to free expression is a basic human right and essential to human fulfillment.
- The right to free expression, including the right to access ideas, information, art and science, makes it possible for original thought and creativity to thrive.
- We are a non-partisan organization. We defend the right to free expression no matter how controversial or objectionable to many the expression may be.
- While our work enforces First Amendment principles, we defend freedom of expression when menaced by unwarranted suppression from any source, including local, state and federal officials, private individuals and corporations. Free expression issues are particularly complex and evolving in the increasingly important social media sphere, in which some individuals and entities wield great power. We advocate measures that will foster free expression in this crucial arena.
Achieving Our Mission
We provide direct intervention for people and groups facing censorship in their communities.
We serve:
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- Students, teachers, librarians, parents and others opposing censorship in schools and libraries
- Artists, curators and museum directors resisting art censorship
- Writers and publishers
- Activists and protestors
- Dramatists, filmmakers, creators of all forms of art and cultural production
- Our coalition partners
Our History
The National Coalition Against Censorship was formed by a group of activists affiliated with the ACLU in response to the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Miller v. California, which narrowed First Amendment protections for sexual expression and opened the door to obscenity prosecutions. As an alliance of more than 50 national non-profits, including literary, artistic, religious, educational, professional, labor, and civil liberties groups, we have engaged in direct advocacy and education to support First Amendment principles for over 40 years.
View our Coalition Members and Guidelines for joining.