earchers in the field equate innovation with information.
Diffusion of information is a natural process where it is not restricted at any of the basic components of the sender-channel-receiver communication model. What essentially distinguishes man from lower (i.e. less neurologically complex) forms of life is the scope of intellectual curiosity. It is because of this capability, leading to inquiry, that man has assumed a preponderant position in the natural environment of the Earth. Had this human propensity not been fettered, humanity might be far more advanced (i.e. able to conceptualize and solve more complex situations) than it is today.
Censorship is selectivity. It is the selection of information which is to be diffused to general or specific populations. It can be implemented through choice of information to be made accessible, through omission of information, through deletion or excision of published (diffused) material, or through the ban, prohibition, suppression, proscription, removal, labelling, or restriction of materials.
"Censorship", notes Justice Potter-Stewart, "reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself. It is the hallmark of an authoritarian regime..." (Potter-Stewart, 1966).
"Censorship", remarks Freedom to Read Foundation member Burton Joseph, "is the ultimate elitism".
Even before Gutenberg gave us printing and a ready vehicle for the wide diffusion of thought, censorship was a measure of repression and thought-control. In 1629 France, for instance, Richelieu formally instituted censorship of all works to be printed: no written word could be diffused without the King's approval. This was nothing really new: the Pope would dispense his imprimatur to such as the University of Paris. In 1121 already, the Council of Soissons had burned the manuscript of Abailard on the Holy Trinity because the author had dared have copies made without the Pope's imprimatur. The first regularly printe...