Theos-Talk Archives (May 2009 Message tt00343)

What Is Intellectual Freedom?

Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.

What Is Censorship?

Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that certain persons - individuals, groups or government officials - find objectionable or dangerous. It is no more complicated than someone saying, "Don't let anyone read this book, or buy that magazine, or view that film, because I object to it! ?"

Excerpts from:

http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/basics/intellectual.cfm

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Intellectual freedom is a human right, as defined by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 19 states:

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. 

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We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is afraid of its people.

John F. Kennedy, 1962