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Censorship

Guide to Selected Government Information
Available at WIU's Government Publications Library

Web version of this guide includes links to web resources.

Federal Government Information

The White House, the Networks and TV Censorship

An interesting case on the Office of National Drug Control Policy providing funds to networks that air programs with strong anti-drug messages. The question that follows is how this creates competition between networks and lessens programming diversity. The ONDCP has a large written testimony in defense of their actions. 2000.
Y4.C73/8:106-91

The Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act and the Noncommerical Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act of 2000

A hearing dedicated to fighting the FCC's decision to limit religious broadcasting on noncommerical channels. Arguments arise as to what the difference is between cultural and educational. 2000.
Y4.C73/8: 106-121

First Amendment and Restrictions on Political Speech

A hearing proposing changes in campaign finance reform and whether these changes would infringe on freedom of expression. Includes a lengthy ACLU statement. 1999.
Y4.J89/1: 106/49

Constitutional Issues Raised by Recent Campaign Finance Legislation Restricting Freedom of Speech

This hearing covers the same issue as the above Religious Broadcasting Freedom and Noncommerical Broadcasting Freedom of Expression acts, only two years later with some of the new campaign finance reform enacted. 2001.
Y4.J89/2: 107/20

Television Ratings Systems

This hearing debates whether or not the current television ratings system is efficient. The arguments in this hearing discuss the ratings system and what changes could be made without censoring television programs. 1997.
Y4.C 73/7:S.HRG.105-157

Legal Information

Freedom of Speech, Press, & Assembly

This is a good primer on the history and development of many of today's First Amendment Issues. For each issue studied, a discussion, case decisions, and conclusion are presented. Every subject is approached from several directions. Includes an intro about philosopher John Stuart Mill and the development of the Supreme Court. 1994.
LEGL REF KF 4770 .M39 1994

The Ku Klux Klan, Public Highways, and the Public Forum

A very interesting essay on a very interesting case, this article draws a distinction and explains it between managerial and governmental roles and functions of the state. The case and the article strive to distinguish between expression and communication, and how each can be limited. 2000.
Communications and the Law Vol. 22, No. 4 p. 39-59

The First Amendment's Limitations on the Use of Internet Filtering in Public and School Libraries: What Content Can Librarians Exclude?

This article examines how to approach the issue of internet-filters on library computers. There is controversy stemming from whether the computers are public or private, the amount of discretion a librarian is entitled to, and the capabilities of the filters. Altogether a very complex and interesting debate. 2000.
Texas Law Review Vol. 78, No. 5 p. 1117-1157.

State Regulation of Content of and Representation on Programs Presented by "Public Broadcasting" Television or Radio Stations

This annotation analyzes state and federal cases in which a court has considered whether and to what extent a state can limit or regulate publicly supported programs made up of educational, public interest, and cultural events.
27 ALR4th 375

Law of the Internet

Chapter eight of this book looks at topics associated with censorship. Obscenity laws, child pornography, and indecent speech are just three of the topics highlighted in this chapter. Summaries of cases, statutes, and issues are also given.
LEGL REF KF 390.5 .C6 S771998

Schoolhouse Decisions of the United States Supreme Court

This book contains thirteen edited court decisions written in plain English. Each decision also contains a reference to the unedited court decision. One of these cases deals with banning school library books. Another is about censoring student newspapers.
LEGL REF KF 4118 .S35 1997

"The Case Against Postmodern Censorship Theory"

This article argues against "new" progressive theories of censorship, saying that, in reality, they are the same arguments used in earlier times to justify governmental control of speech. Regardless of the perspective taken, opposing a strong First Amendment is simply censorship.
First Amendment Law Handbook. pp.221-326; LEGL REF KF 4770 .A15 F57 1998-99

Propriety, Under First Amendment, of School Board's Censorship of Public School Libraries or Coursebooks

This annotation gathers case law involving potential First and Fourteenth Amendment violations in situations where school boards have attempted to regulate or remove textbooks, books, or other materials from schools.
64 ALR Fed 771

"Censoring or Censuring Student Speech: A Checklist"

Through analysis of case law, the author offers a checklist to help educators delineate the legal boundaries for suppression of student expression. 1998.
Education Law Reporter. Vol. 121, p. 477; LEGL REF KF 4110 .A2 W47 v. 121

Smolla and Nimmer on Freedom of Speech

This treatise offers a thorough examination of freedom of speech theory and doctrine and is kept current with supplements. 1999.
LEGL REF KF 4772 .N 54 1996 vols. 1 & 2

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