Supreme Court Rules on Off-Campus Student Speech Rights in Mahanoy vs. B.L. Case
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a student's First Amendment rights for off-campus speech, but the Mahanoy decision left questions unanswered.
Non-Partisan Coalition Statement Opposing “Divisive Concepts” Legislation
Non-partisan coalition statement in a response to attempts to limit teaching related to critical race theory, under a broad umbrella of "divisive concepts," including free speech and First Amendment framework for opposition advocacy.
Don’t Delete Art Hosts Workshop for Artists on How to Avoid Instagram Censorship
On June 2, 2021, artists Dina Brodsky, Savannah Spirit, and Spencer Tunick hosted a conversation to share advice on how to tag, contextualize, or modify artwork on Instagram so as to improve its chances of not being removed. The webinar is part of Don't Delete Art, a gallery, resource center and campaign advocating for artistic freedom on social media. [...]
NCAC in Publishers Weekly: Publishing and Censorship
NCAC's Executive Director, Chris Finan, wrote two columns for Publishers Weekly looking at the long history of book publishing's role in fighting censorship and promoting free expression.
Censorship Tarnishes Veteran Voices Show at Walt Disney Family Museum
An exhibition, Veterans' Voices: Painted Realities, at Walt Disney Family Museum left out two controversial images by artist Amos Gregory.
North Carolina School District Appears to Ban Book One of a Kind, Like Me for Acknowledging Gender Identity Issues
NCAC is concerned by the treatment of Laurin Mayeno's One of a Kind, Like Me in a North Carolina school district based on the perception that the book addresses gender identity issues.
NCAC Asks New Jersey School District to Clarify Overly Broad Material Vetting Policy
The National Coalition Against Censorship is concerned about a new policy at Montclair Public Schools that threatens to chill teachers' ability to select instructional material that deals with race, ethnicity, religion or sexuality.
NCAC Objects to Removal of Ghost Boys from Broward County School in Florida
NCAC objects to the decision to remove the novel Ghost Boys from a school in Broward County, Florida.
NCAC Statement on Publisher’s “Pause” on Blake Bailey Book | UPDATED
NCAC is troubled by the decision of W.W. Norton to “pause” distribution of one of its books due to allegations against its author.
Oklahoma School District Bans Black Lives Matter Shirts
NCAC criticizes Ardmore schools in Oklahoma for banning Black Lives Matter shirts.
Statement on Academic Freedom at Columbia University
The National Coalition Against Censorship is deeply concerned about efforts to punish an adjunct professor at Columbia University for not censoring a racial slur out of a quotation she used in class.
Facebook Oversight Board Upholds Decision to Ban Donald Trump
Facebook's Oversight Board upheld the decision to suspend then-President Donald Trump's account in the wake of the Capitol riots
NCAC Applauds Simon & Schuster For Rejecting Petition Demanding Former Trump Associates Not Be Published
NCAC applauds Simon & Schuster’s decision to reject a petition from more than 200 of its employees demanding that it not publish books by former members of the Trump administration.
NCAC Objects to Student Protest Ban in South Sioux City, Nebraska, School District
A Nebraska school district recently banned all protests on school grounds in violation of students' First Amendment rights.
Artist Dread Scott Censored by Instagram for “Hate Speech”
Instagram censored a post by Dread Scott showing his artwork "White people can't be trusted with power" for violating their hate speech policy.
States Consider Bills That Threaten Protest Rights
State legislatures considering 68 bills that would limit the right to protest.
Acclaimed Challenged Author Jason Reynolds Will Headline 2021 Banned Books Week
Jason Reynolds to headline Banned Books Week 2021, which has the theme, “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” Two of Reynolds' books for young people made the Top 10 banned and challenged books of 2020 for their handling of issues around racism and racial justice.
Legislation and Book Bans Target Teaching About Social Justice and Racism in Schools
Seven states are considering legislation to ban the teaching of "divisive concepts," which encompasses certain teaching about social justice and structural inequality.
Anti-LGBTQ Book Legislation Proceeds in Multiple States
Across the country, state lawmakers are considering legislation that aims to ban teaching books with LGBTQ themes and punish teachers for exposing students to material that addresses sexuality and gender expression.
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Texas School District Bans Call Me Max, Picture Book About Trans Child
An Austin, Texas, school district banned teachers from reading Call Me Max, a picture book about a trans child, to students after parents complained.
Texas School District Removes LGBTQ Books From Reading Lists
Leander, Texas, school district has removed LGBTQ books from optional reading lists in middle and high school classes.
Statement on Amazon’s Removal of When Harry Became Sally | Updated with Amazon’s Response
Amazon’s sudden decision to remove a controversial book from sale matters to the entire public sphere and threatens the marketplace of ideas.
Don’t Delete Art Releases Guidelines for Artists to Avoid Social Media Censorship
Artists and advocates have created the first comprehensive resource for artists to avoid and combat censorship on social media.
Facebook Oversight Board Recommends Stronger Protection for Free Expression
Several recent rulings from Facebook’s Oversight Board push Facebook to show greater respect for principles of free expression in its content moderation decisions.
Statement on Removal of Dr. Seuss Books from Publication
The National Coalition Against Censorship is disturbed by the decision of Dr. Seuss Enterprises to cease publication of six children’s books by Dr. Seuss because of their implicit racism.
Court Rules Anti-BDS Statute Unconstitutional in Arkansas Times v Waldrip
Eighth Circuit ruled in that an Arkansas anti-BDS statute imposed an unconstitutional condition on state contractors' exercise of their First Amendment rights.
Journalism Against the Odds: Student Press Freedom Day 2021
Student Press Freedom Day celebrates how vital student journalists are to public discourse, to informing their communities with unbiased and accurate information, and to holding those in power accountable to those they serve.
NCAC Urges Tennessee Universities to Resist Demands to Censor Student Athletes
NCAC calls on the leaders of the University of Tennessee system to resist political pressure and to defend their students' rights to peacefully protest.
No Sex, No Social Justice: 2021 Legislative Pressures On Public Education
Proposed legislation in several states attempts to ban teaching about sexuality and social justice in classrooms.
Coalition Calls for Transparency and Open Government in Biden Administration
The National Coalition Against Censorship joined a coalition of over 40 organizations calling on President Biden to commit his presidential administration to greater transparency and open government as a keystone of democracy.
Coalition Urges White House to Release Virtual Visitor Logs
A coalition is urging the White House to release virtual visitor logs in the name of transparency and accountability.
NCAC Calls on Biden Administration to Drop Charges Against Julian Assange
A coalition of more than 20 civil liberties organizations is calling on US Department of Justice under President Biden to drop charges and extradition proceedings against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to protect press freedom.
Virtual Luncheon: Resolving Tensions Over Race & Representation in Public Art
Free virtual luncheon will explore the approaches to resolving tensions around WPA murals representations of race and history, particularly on college campuses.
Statement on the Publication of Books by Trump Administration Members
Publishers serve a critical role in our democracy by disseminating the books that inspire public debate. NCAC is deeply concerned by any attempt to limit what books get written, published and circulated based on the personal beliefs of a group of people who work in publishing.
When Can Speech Be Punished? A Primer on Unprotected Incitement to Violence
A breakdown of protected versus unprotected speech in the wake of the riot on Capitol Hill. Can free expression advocates support punishment for incitement to violence while still supporting the legal protections for “hate speech” or other offensive speech? And why do we protect offensive speech in the first place?
Racial Justice Protests: A Free Expression Timeline
A timeline of free expression issues that arose following the death of George Floyd and subsequent protests for racial justice.
NCAC Statement on Cancellation of Book by Josh Hawley
Canceling a book encourages those who seek to silence their critics, producing more pressure on publishers, which will lead to more cancellations. The best defense for democracy is a strong commitment to free expression.
Arizona School Considers Removing Slaughterhouse Five From Classrooms
A school district in Vail, Arizona, is considering removing Slaughterhouse Five from classroom teaching after a parent complained about references to sex.
Free Expression During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Timeline
A timeline tracking the free expression concerns raised by emergency measures enacted to contain and manage the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.