: Designed for high school and college students, it uses an accessible alphabetical format to explore facets of the subject, including historical context for major controversies.
: Beyond specific cases, the encyclopedia examines the philosophy of censorship, such as the distinction between "selection" (the democratic process of curating resources) and "censorship" (the authoritarian control of thought). Insights into the Nature of Censorship
: A significant portion of modern censorship is "self-censorship" or "middleman-censorship," often deliberately cultivated by outside powers or corporate decision-making rather than direct government mandate. Encyclopedia of Censorship
: While older forms of censorship often involved pre-publication licensing, modern "liberal" regimes more frequently utilize post-publication controls like seizures, postal regulations, and industry self-regulation.
Drawing from the encyclopedia and related research, several core themes emerge: : Designed for high school and college students,
: It traces the roots of the word "censorship" back to the Roman office of the censor—responsible for supervising public morals—and follows its trajectory into modern issues like internet filtering and self-censorship.
Originally published in 1989 and revised for a new edition in the mid-2000s, the encyclopedia covers a vast range of topics from ancient Rome to the digital age. Its primary goal is to document the "crowded roster" of individuals, books, films, and other works that have been targets of censorship. Key Features : While older forms of censorship often involved
: The work provides "national wrap-ups" that detail the culture, legal frameworks, and predominant trends of censorship in diverse lands, including updated entries for countries like Afghanistan, Cuba, Japan, and Zimbabwe.