After Parents Censor, Student Drafts Petition In Defense of ‘Glass Castle’
Renae Roscart, 15, considers parents who argued for the reading list removal to be "pretending that sexual assault and alcoholism isn’t something that youths encounter."
It’s Not Censorship To Want More Female Game Protagonists
Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson describes fan pressure on developers to implement more female video games as censorship, but is this fair?
Virginia School District Caves To Parent Pressure, Scraps Summer Reading List; UPDATE: Republican Senator Blasts Librarians For Selecting ‘Trash’, Petition Pushes Back
The Chesterfield County Public School summer reading list contained books that were "pornographic" and contained "vile, vile, nasty language," one mother complained.
Legislating Against Revenge Porn: The Constitutional Pitfalls
A Rhode Island Bill to tackle "revenge porn" was just nixed. But why was this a good thing?
Victory: Court Rules in Favor of Net Neutrality
A court has ruled against Internet providers looking to change the legal classification of internet service, which would have allowed bigger domain names to purchase faster connection speeds.
Video Games and Violence: Our Fear of the Immersive Perspective
A deep dive into the fear that immersive fictional content has historically provoked.
After Orlando, Are Social Media Sites Encroaching On Users’ Free Speech?
In the wake of the Orlando shooting, Reddit came under fire for censoring its user's content. How fair is this accusation?
School Librarians And Their Constitutional Responsibilities
What are the legal and educational responsibilities of school librarians in stocking their book shelves?
“Stand Tall, Stand Loud” Censored by NYC Department of Parks; UPDATE: NYC Parks Reverses Decision
Aaron Bell's sculpture was censored by NYC's Parks & Recreation department for its "problematic" depiction of a man in a noose.
Vermont School Disinvites Childrens Author Because of Book About Heroin Addiction; UPDATE: School Reverses Decision, Will Carry Book in Library
Kate Messner speaking event at South Burlington's Chamberlin Elementary School after the school discovered her latest book was about heroin addiction.
US Copyright Office Leads Inquiry to Tighten Online Content Takedown Procedure; UPDATE: Comment from The Authors Guild
A proposed change to the "notice and takedown" internet copyright procedure potentially threatens freedom of expression online.
Author Who Talks About Transgender Themes Disinvited from Schools in Texas
The children's author Phil Bildner apparently has been disinvited from several schools in Round Rock Independent School District in Round Rock, Texas. He published this statement yesterday on the blog of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom: Whenever I present to kids at my school visits, I always booktalk other authors’ books. It’s important for kids to know about the great stories that are out there. I always [...]
Portland Resolution on Teaching Climate Change Raises Concerns
NCAC has released the following statement on the climate change controversy brewing in Portland: On May 17, the Public School Board of Portland, Oregon unanimously adopted a resolution to “Develop an Implementation Plan for Climate Literacy,” which concluded with this recommendation: “The implementation plan should include a review of current textbooks for accuracy around the severity of the climate crisis and the [...]
Georgia Lawmakers Attack Museum Exhibition Exploring AIDS Epidemic
David Wojnarowicz (born 1954, died 1992) Untitled (Buffalo), 1988-89. Vintage gelatin silver print, signed on verso, 28⅝x35¾; inches. Collection of Michael Sodomick, Courtesy of the Estate of David Wojnarowicz and P.P.O.W Gallery, New York In statements reminiscent of the culture wars of the 1990s, three Republican lawmakers in Cobb County, Georgia have attacked a museum exhibition that [...]
Previously Censored Senior Reads “Dark” Poem at Graduation
I woke up today. And when I woke up I thought of A friend. I thought of Kyle, I thought of Jack, I thought of Tamir And those who we have lost, Those who Cannot wake up. This stanza from an original poem by senior at Austin High School in Austin, Texas led to him being prohibited from reading it at his graduation. Pablo [...]
American Nocturne: When Public Art Engenders Controversy; UPDATE: Mural Removed, Elgin Arts Commission Will Decide Fate
NCAC has sent a letter to Elgin Mayor David Kaptain supporting the mural's return in advance of the City Council's vote on its fate on July 13th.
Penny Dreadful in Paint: Accusations of Blasphemy Hit Virginia MOCA/Hi-Fructose Exhibition
Mark Ryden: Fountain, 2003. Oil on Panel, 12x6.25 inches. ©Mark Ryden. In a replay of former New York Mayor Guiliani's attempt to grab attention by attacking "blasphemous" art, Ben Loyola, a member of the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission, is directing his ire against the work of LA-based painter Mark Ryden, featured in Turn the Page: The First Ten Years of [...]
Is Facebook’s Echo Chamber Censorship?
Reports out this week claiming that the social media giant selectively removes conservative news items from #trending topics has drawn accusations of censorship, most distressingly from a member of Congress charged with oversight of issues relating to technology, communications and the Internet.
No Student Clubs Affiliated with Amnesty International, Says Ohio High School (Update: Decision Reversed)
A junior at New Albany High near Columbus organized an Amnesty International affiliate group at her school to discuss human rights and came under fire for promoting what some people thought to be an "anti-Israel" message. The school's principal ultimately reversed his decision to "protect" the student "from getting caught up in political lightning rod topics" and will allow the club to form next fall.
Victory for Looking for Alaska in Kentucky!
We received some great news from Kentucky this morning: a reconsideration committee in Marion County voted to keep John Green’s highly acclaimed first novel Looking for Alaska on its high school shelves last night. The book received a complaint from a parent who not only refused to let his child read the book, but determined it was "filth" and good [...]
Nationwide Day of Readings of “I Am Jazz”
We’re proud to partner with the Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools initiative in a nationwide day readings of I Am Jazz, one of the most challenged books in the country.
Kentucky Parent Warns of ‘Filth’ in Looking for Alaska
One parent doesn't want any students -- or adults -- to read John Green's renowned young adult novel.
West Hollywood Blocks Artist’s Work / Resolution Found
The City of West Hollywood planned exhibitions in celebration of Women's History Month - and then yanked art by a female artist representing women.
Canceling Cruz Was Wrong
Students in the Bronx wanted to protest a visit by Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz. But their school pulled the plug.
Shameless in Lafayette: Nude ArtWalk !
A few days ago we wrote about artist Nicole Touchet 's recent brush with censorship in Free the Nipple: Nude Paintings Raise Temperatures in Lafayette. The artists of Lafayette have since rallied around the cause of freedom of expression with a city-wide Nude ArtWalk. For this occasion we offer our statement on nudes and censorship: The Human Body is Not [...]
Looking for Alaska Under Fire in Kentucky
Another year, another challenge to Looking for Alaska. This time, a parent in conservative Marion County, Kentucky, is challenging its use in a 12th grade classroom.
Free the Nipple: Nude Paintings Raise Temperatures in Lafayette
And Indiana artist gets a message from her landlord: "You have to take down the nude pictures you have in your gallery. Part of the agreement to rent you the space was to not display nude pictures.”
Virginia Veto: Good News for Freedom to Read
NCAC welcomes the news that Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe has vetoed HB516, which would have required parental notification whenever "sexually explicit material" was being taught in the state's public schools.
The Case Against Nixing VAXXED
The widely publicized cancellation of the controversial documentary is likely to backfire for those concerned that the ideas in the film are fraudulent and wrong.
Does “Hate Art” Have a Place?
Does art that offends belong in a government building? That's the debate unfolding in Denver, after a student's painting that likens police to the Ku Klux Klan was displayed in the city's Webb Building.
Trump Chalk at Emory University
Students upset about pro-Trump chalk messages at Emory University make headlines.
Are New Rules Still Targeting Gay-Straight Alliance?
It looks like a Tennessee high school will have a gay-straight alliance club after all. But do the district's new rules for all clubs go too far?
Satire and Swastikas in a New York High School
A high school production of 'The Producers' is altered after parents complain about swastikas on stage.
NY Anti-BDS Bills Threaten First Amendment Rights; UPDATE: NY to Blacklist Businesses Engaged in Boycott
New York legislation that would punish advocates of a boycott of Israel violate First Amendment rights
Victory! This One Summer Back on Library Shelves
An award-winning graphic novel was removed from high school libraries in Florida after the parent of a third-grader complained. The district thankfully reversed its decision.
Free Speech Friday: Trump Art, Campus Free Speech, Textbook Destroyed
Some key free speech headlines from the week: Debates over the nature of the threat to campus free speech, Trump art blocked on Facebook, and more.
Hanover Students Stand Against “Beloved Bill” in Virginia
Students are speaking out against legislation that would require parental notification of the teaching of "sexually explicit content" in public schools.
He Said/She Said: That’swhatshesaid
A claim of copyright infringement attempts to shut down a show about the silencing of women.
Free Speech Friday: Don’t Joke About Trump, Censoring Climate, Clinton’s Free Speech Record
Trouble With a Trump joke in a new movie? Plus an effort to protect student journalists in Maryland, and a plan to thwart teaching climate change in West Virginia schools.
‘That’s Not Funny!’: Youth Film Contest Winners
The winners are here! The top three submissions in the 2015 Youth Free Expression Film Contest.