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ERIC Number: ED314055
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1982
Pages: 12
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Censorship in Massachusetts: An Update.
Woods, L. B.; O'Brien, Jane E.
This report updates a 1979 article from the Bay State Librarian about censorship in Massachusetts libraries from 1966 through 1975. Compiled using data from the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF), the report provides information about censorship attempts and actions between 1976 and 1982. The definition of censorship in this report includes not only the attempt to suppress materials presenting certain viewpoints in the library or classroom, but also includes such institutions businesses, theatres, television stations, politics, and court decisions because these areas make up a significant number of censorship attempts reported to the OIF. From 1975 through 1982, 56 cases were reported, with 27 cases occurring in Boston, and the others distributed almost evenly among 24 other towns and cities. In educational institutions, censorship cases were most often initiated by school committees, parents, and administrators; in noneducational settings the majority of cases were initiated by the courts, state and local officials, and television stations. Censorship attacks were most commonly prompted by controversial ideas, obscenity, and political issues. Educational institutions were the most affected, with eight censorship attempts in primary schools, six in secondary schools, and one at a university. Non-educational institutions affected included advertisers (2), bookstores (2), broadcasting (4), church (1), clubs (1), community groups (1), prison (1), private home (1), court rulings (6), legislative rulings (3), government agencies (4), presses (5), publishers (3), and theaters (3). Of the 56 cases, 16 were successful, 10 were partially successful, 16 were unsuccessful, and 14 were of unknown status when reported. Seven tables summarize the findings. (36 references) (SD)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Massachusetts
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A