Authorities have long tried to control what the public may read or hear. Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of information, reporting, or expression by government, institutions, or other powerful actors.

It can take the form of pre-publication bans, forced removal of content, intimidation of journalists, or legal penalties for publishing prohibited material. Self-censorship occurs when reporters or editors withhold information out of fear of consequences. Both undermine the public’s ability to assess events for themselves.

Democratic systems generally reject prior restraint and protect journalists through constitutional or statutory guarantees. Even in those systems, debates continue over national security, privacy, and harmful content. The presence or absence of independent journalism remains one of the clearest indicators of whether censorship prevails.

• Suppression of information by authorities or institutions
• Includes bans, intimidation, and legal penalties
• Can induce self-censorship among journalists
• Opposed by press-freedom protections