Just Teach Books That Won’t Offend Anyone
NCAC responds to a newspaper editorial arguing that removing books from a school because they offend one parent is "common sense."
Censoring Islam in Georgia?
Parents in Georgia are outraged over lessons that teach the history of Islam. And the state is taking the complaints seriously, removing a program guide called "Respecting Beliefs."
Carle Museum Honors NCAC’s Joan Bertin
NCAC Executive Director Joan Bertin talks about the importance of picture books and how they can attract challenges over their content.
“Shame is the Evil That Makes Everybody Sick”
Legendary artists Betty Tompkins and Marilyn Minter got together to talk about censorship, women in the arts and much more.
Five Very True Tales of Book Censorship
In the spirit of Banned Books Week, we bring you five stories from the field. A few of them will make shake your head, while the others will have you pumping your fist.
Facebook’s Nudity Rules Still Make No Sense
Artists continue to struggle with Facebook's inconsistent policies on human nudity.
Tennessee Parent: Acclaimed Medical History Book is ‘Pornographic’
One parent wants an award-winning medical history book removed from a school district. The author says she has "confused gynecology with pornography."
Students Speak Out: A Curious Incident of Censorship
Telling students to avoid books containing "wayward beliefs" implies we are incapable of thinking for ourselves. The removal did not give parents the freedom to parent, but instead attacked freedom of thought.
Summertime for… Censorship?
Students at summer art school programs run into some unique censorship problems.
Northwestern Prof Resigns Over Censorship Scandal
A prominent Northwestern University professor resigns in the wake of a censorship scandal involving a faculty magazine.
Mayor Appoints Would-Be Censor to Library Board
Can a trustee be trusted when he has tried to censor in the past? Residents of Downers Grove were asking that questions when the mayor nominated Arthur Jaros, Jr. to the village’s Library Board.
Straight Outta Compton’s Censorship Lesson
The popular film Straight Outta Compton offers a glimpse at the music censorship battles of that era, when a song's lyrics could warrant a letter from the FBI.
Here We Go Again: Video Games and Violence
The American Psychological Association released a long-awaited report on video games and violence. But is it really just "junk science?"
“The First Amendment Means Everything to Me” — Remembering Julian Bond
The civil rights leader was a free speech champion.
Americans Love… Censorship?
Are Americans really embracing book banning? A new poll seems to say so. But there are some important caveats.
Did the College Board Cave to Political Pressure Over AP History?
After months of pressure, the College Board has released a new framework for teaching AP US History. Does this mean the political pressure tactics worked?
Hip Hop Hologram: A Threat to Public Safety?
A controversial Chicago rapper appears via hologram at a concert promoting an anti-violence message. City officials cut the power and ended the show early. Can they really squelch speech they don't like?
Kimonos and Controversy: What the Boston MFA Got Wrong
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts should have answered the Kimono Wednesdays controversy by seizing on the protests as a chance to ask deeper questions and engage the community.
“My Princess Boy”: Watch One Texas Mom Speak Out for LGBT Books
At a public hearing over whether or not to remove LGBT children's books from a public library, one mom's comments stole the show.
LGBT Library Censorship Effort Fails in Texas
Would-be censors in Texas lose in their effort to remove LGBT children's books from the public library. But the fight in Hood County may be far from over.
Graphic Novel Isn’t Banned– But Isn’t in the School Library
A graphic novel was challenged in a New Mexico high school. A review committee voted to keep it. So why isn't the book on the shelves? A local reporter dug into the story.
Public Says “Yes” to Free Speech for Students
A new Newseum survey shows that Americans have trouble explaining what rights are enshrined in the First Amendment. But when it comes to student speech rights, they take a friendly view of free speech.
Iowa Town: No Nudes on Main Street
City officials want an art gallery to cover a nude painting-- but they can't find a legal justification.
Is Reddit Moving Away from Free Speech Roots?
Was Reddit's decision to ban 5 discussion groups a business decision, or a move away from its free speech principles?
“Free Speech Forever” Youth Film Contest Winners
Winners of the 11th Annual Youth Film Contest 1. Anne Wade (Cullowhee, North Carolina) "Don't Let Them Take Your Voice" ARTIST STATEMENT: “My film is a black and white silent film that was created out of a desire to speak out against censorship in schools across the nation using a unique and creative idea that engaged myself and [...]
Policing Art
Student artists are tackling police brutality-- and police groups aren't happy about it. Unfortunately, some schools are reacting by removing the work.
Art Censorship in Response to Speculative Threats
Citing a possible violent reaction as a pretext for censoring art is not only wrong, it most certainly leads those who object to free expression to make more threats.
Policing Expression: NJ School Removes Student Project
A student project on police and community relations angers local cops-- and school administrators respond by removing it.
#Donttakeitdown: Students Speak Out Over Removal of Police Brutality Artwork
After receiving complaints, a Maryland high school removes police brutality artwork. But the students at Oxon Hill aren't submitting to censorship-- they are fighting back.
Inglewood Mayor Using Copyright for Censorship
A California mayor is responding to a vocal critic by attempting to use a questionable copyright claim as a censorship tool.
Terminated for Reading an Allen Ginsberg Poem?
A celebrated English teacher shared an Allen Ginsberg poem in an AP class. He's not a teacher anymore.
Censored Penguins Get Chilly Reception at California Charter School
A play about penguins was a hit at an anti-censorship conference. Days later, it was canceled at a nearby school.
Warning to Students: Watch What You Tweet
Students at a Pennsylvania high school are told by local police that what they tweet could be a crime.
Pamela Geller and Free Speech
The right-wing provocateur has the right to say what she wants. Does she think Arabs and Muslims have the same rights?
Police Groups React to ‘Don’t Shoot’ Library Art
Provocative art about police brutality in a Madison, Wisconsin library is causing controversy.
Why the Transformation of May Day into Loyalty Day is Troubling
Workers around the world are celebrated on May Day. But here in the United States it's actually "Loyalty Day"-- a reminder of some of the darkest days of cultural and political censorship.
Challenge to Absolutely True Diary Shut Down in Brunswick, NC
A grandparent tries--yet again--to remove Sherman Alexie's award-winning novel from a school in North Carolina.
Long Live the Uncensored William Shakespeare
Views on censoring the bard 451 years later from a Shakespeare-lover and free speech fighter. Happiest of birthdays to my favorite Elizabethan fellow and bawdiest of bards, William Shakespeare. It’s no secret that this famed playwright has taken heat over the years for his spicy language. His plays boast of themes of sexuality, anti-Semitism, violence, and homosexuality; but do these [...]
Treating Rhymes as Crimes: The War on Hip-Hop
Prosecutors are using rap lyrics as a tool to charge rappers with crimes--even when there is no other evidence.
The Muzzles! The Year’s Best (or Worst) Censors
The Jefferson Center has released its round-up of free speech offenders.