Self-censorship: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Comics Code Authority Seal of Approval.png|thumb|Comics Code Authority (CCA) Seal of Approval]] | [[File:Comics Code Authority Seal of Approval.png|thumb|Comics Code Authority (CCA) Seal of Approval]] | ||
Self-censorship is when authors or writers censor their own work before it is published out of fear that their work will be bowdlerized or condemned once it is published. When looking at the publishing industry, one prime example of self-censorship can be seen with the | Self-censorship is when authors or writers censor their own work before it is published out of fear that their work will be bowdlerized or condemned once it is published. | ||
== Comics Code Authority (CCA) == | |||
When looking at the publishing industry, one prime example of self-censorship can be seen with the Comics Code Authority (CCA), which "was an industry-sponsored attempt to curb criticism levied at comic books". While this organization, "promised to police its own ranks", its influence remained pervasive in the comic book industry "for more than half a century, with the last publishers only dropping out of the system in 2011" (Robinson 188).<ref>Robinson, Solveig C. ''The Book in Society : An Introduction to Print Culture''. Peterborough, Broadview Press, 2014, p. 188.</ref> Since the CCA would apply seals to the covers of approved comic books, distributors could see which books had been "approved" and which hadn't, allowing them to refuse any comics that didn't have that specific seal. <ref>Nyberg, Amy Kiste. “Comics Code History: The Seal of Approval – Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.” ''Comic Book Legal Defense Fund'', cbldf.org/comics-code-history-the-seal-of-approval/.</ref> | |||
== The Effects of Self-Censorship == | |||
Self-censorship has been detrimental to writers and their work all throughout history, and it has a huge affect on the publishing industry as many writers today still censor themselves in fear of how the public might react to their work. Book bans can be beneficial to some works as they oftentimes put a spotlight on authors and draw more attention to the topics the author wrote about. This, in turn, can generate greater interest in the work, especially during Banned Books Week when millions of people are encouraged to explore and read a variety of works that have been banned for various reasons. However, it's important to keep in mind that many writers still fear having their works being censored or banned after publication as it can still affect how their work is received among their audiences, and can even limit the amount of people able to purchase their book. Additionally, censorship and book bans are especially harmful to textbooks as schools won't buy a work for their students if they know it's controversial and could upset parents. Thus, many publishers, editors, and even writers will censor their books in fear of their work not gaining a profit once it reaches the shelves. <ref>“Banned Books Week 2025.” ''PEN America'', 30 Jan. 2025, pen.org/banned-books-week/.</ref> | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
<references />{{DEFAULTSORT:Self-Censorship}} | |||
[[Category:Glossary]] | |||
[[Category:Book Banning]] | |||
Latest revision as of 09:37, 8 November 2025
Self-censorship is when authors or writers censor their own work before it is published out of fear that their work will be bowdlerized or condemned once it is published.
Comics Code Authority (CCA)
When looking at the publishing industry, one prime example of self-censorship can be seen with the Comics Code Authority (CCA), which "was an industry-sponsored attempt to curb criticism levied at comic books". While this organization, "promised to police its own ranks", its influence remained pervasive in the comic book industry "for more than half a century, with the last publishers only dropping out of the system in 2011" (Robinson 188).[1] Since the CCA would apply seals to the covers of approved comic books, distributors could see which books had been "approved" and which hadn't, allowing them to refuse any comics that didn't have that specific seal. [2]
The Effects of Self-Censorship
Self-censorship has been detrimental to writers and their work all throughout history, and it has a huge affect on the publishing industry as many writers today still censor themselves in fear of how the public might react to their work. Book bans can be beneficial to some works as they oftentimes put a spotlight on authors and draw more attention to the topics the author wrote about. This, in turn, can generate greater interest in the work, especially during Banned Books Week when millions of people are encouraged to explore and read a variety of works that have been banned for various reasons. However, it's important to keep in mind that many writers still fear having their works being censored or banned after publication as it can still affect how their work is received among their audiences, and can even limit the amount of people able to purchase their book. Additionally, censorship and book bans are especially harmful to textbooks as schools won't buy a work for their students if they know it's controversial and could upset parents. Thus, many publishers, editors, and even writers will censor their books in fear of their work not gaining a profit once it reaches the shelves. [3]
Notes
- ↑ Robinson, Solveig C. The Book in Society : An Introduction to Print Culture. Peterborough, Broadview Press, 2014, p. 188.
- ↑ Nyberg, Amy Kiste. “Comics Code History: The Seal of Approval – Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.” Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, cbldf.org/comics-code-history-the-seal-of-approval/.
- ↑ “Banned Books Week 2025.” PEN America, 30 Jan. 2025, pen.org/banned-books-week/.
