A climate of intellectual freedom is one where any individual may express any belief or opinion regardless of the viewpoint or belief of any other individual, organization, or governmental entity. These expressions range from private communications to speeches, essays, plays, or websites.

Censorship may broadly be defined as any action that works against a climate of intellectual freedom. Censorship affects both written and oral communication. Its span can encompass not only books but also newspapers, magazines, movies, plays, television, radio, speeches, recorded music, e-mail, government documents, and information communicated electronically. Censorship is both the process and the practice of excluding material that is deemed by someone to be objectionable. In theory, any person or organization may, for what they consider appropriate political, social, economic, social, or sexual reasons, set themselves up in the role of censor. Individuals and organizations ferret out that...