Censorship is a hot-button issue in modern day America. Censorship is the suppression of speech or the restraint of individuals having access to certain materials. The censor determines that the information might be harmful, sensitive or in some way unsuitable for its audience.

Today, moral censorship is widely used in America to stop young people from seeing pornography, graphic violence, or other mature or sexual content. With the input of educators, various decency leagues, parents and other concerned adults, children must have permission to view certain books, movies or websites.

Churches and religious groups also use censorship to recommend that certain books be banned in school libraries and removed from required reading lists. Even textbooks are carefully written and selected to present material in a certain context. Examples would include Holocaust discussions, and some massacres in the Vietnam War.

Other types of censorship include information which is considered to be militarily sensitive. Certain documents and information may not be available to the general public because of security issues and the possible threat of terrorism. Reports of troop movements or technology advancements are usually not immediately reported in the media because the enemy watches television, too.

The censorship debate is centered on the public’s right to know and the freedom of expression or opinion. Who should have the power to ban? What should and should not be banned? Is the item restricted because of time or age? Some groups feel that nothing should be banned, with complete details on everything available to everyone. Others want the power to make restrictive decisions. While communities no longer hold book burnings, censorship is still being practiced.

Censorship is a difficult and debatable issue because its advocates are generally trying to protect people by using it. However, by that same token, many consider it to be a violation of personal freedom to be prevented from seeing and hearing any content that they wish.