Censorship

Iranian culture minister urges authors to censor own works

Blake — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:31:34 -0500

Iran's culture minister has shared some eyebrow-raising advice with authors seeking to see their work published in Iran: "Censor pages which are likely to create a dispute." Literature should reflect the country's "religious, moral and national sensitivities," steer clear of "an excessive portrayal of a man and woman's private relationships" and not "subject our youth and adults to descriptions of intercourse," he added.

Oregon ACLU Joins Booksellers in Condemning Sexual Materials Law

birdie — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:49:30 -0500

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon has joined booksellers and librarians in the state to challenge a state law restricting the sale or provision of sexually explicit material to children, saying it could affect constitutionally protected material.

The ACLU says the law approved by the 2007 Legislature is vague and could result in parents being charged for providing educational books to their children - or even an older child who gives material to a younger sibling.

As an example, the ACLU cited the 1975 novel "Forever" by Judy Blume, a frequent target of censors because it deals with teenage sexuality. "A 17-year-old girl who lends her 13-year-old sister a copy of the book and tells her to 'read the good parts' could be arrested and prosecuted," said Dave Fidanque, ACLU executive director for Oregon.

"For booksellers, the new law is vague and difficult to apply," Michael Powell, owner of Powell's Books, said in a news release. "It says a 13-year-old can legally buy these books, but it's a crime to sell them to a 12-year-old. How do I 'card' a 12-year old?"

The law was passed by the 2007 Legislature and signed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Story from kcby CBS as well as oregonlive.

Oregon ACLU Joins ABFFE in Condemning Sexual Material Law

birdie — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:46:26 -0500

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon has joined booksellers in the state to challenge a state law restricting the sale or provision of sexually explicit material to children, saying it could affect constitutionally protected material.

New York Times columnist Friedman hit by pie at Brown

Bibliofuture — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:31:02 -0500

A student faces disciplinary action after two people threw green whipped cream pies at New York Times columnist and author Thomas L. Friedman as he began an Earth Day speech at Brown University.

Little also said she and her co-pie thrower wanted to open up a dialogue about what it really means to have free speech on an elite college campus like Brown.

She said they considered passing out fliers or preparing questions to ask Friedman during a question-and-answer session, but ultimately decided to take a more significant step.

Full article here.

YouTube video of assault here.

Publisher sues Mass. prisons chief over book ban

Blake — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:30:58 -0500

A publisher that distributes books on the legal rights of prisoners sued the chief of the state's prison system Wednesday, claiming he is banning its publications in Massachusetts prisons.

Prison Legal News, a nonprofit publisher, alleges that Department of Correction Commissioner Harold Clarke and other prison officials refuse to add it to a list of approved vendors who can send books to prisoners.

The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America

birdie — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:30:19 -0500

Censorship is nothing new, and the quest to quash it continues. American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, ABFFE, chose an interesting book on the subject for the months of March and April.

Author David Hajdu's book, "The Ten Cent Plague" tells a chapter of American history when comic books were feared, hated and even burned during the 1950s. The book is reviewed in Entertainment Weekly where author Hajdu had been an editor.

Iowa Senate Votes down Proposal on Libraries and R-rated movies

dubuquer — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:22:58 -0500

From Radio Iowa News:

"The Iowa Senate Wednesday voted down a proposal to require libraries which get state funds to restrict loaning R-rated movies to kids under 18-years old. Brad Zahn, a Republican from Urbandale, offered the amendment to an education appropriations bill. . . . The proposed ban was defeated by a vote of 31 to 17."

The Kid's Book on Pot

Great Western Dragon — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:55:26 -0500

Well, if you thought the kid's book on plastic surgery was interesting, then perhaps you might want to dig on It's Just A Plant, a new kid's book about marijuana.

The controversial part? It's not anti-pot. Quite the opposite actually. It explains that pot can be a postiive thing, but that it's not for children.

Plans to ban gay jokes in the UK rejected by the Lords

Blake — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:26:06 -0500

Comedians and church leaders have claimed a victory for free speech after Government plans to ban jokes about homosexuals were rejected in the House of Lords.

Following the amendment, the offence will apply only to those who incite violence or harassment against homosexual men and lesbians, rather than jokes or broader criticism about alternative lifestyles, such as lyrics in rap songs.

Twittering For Help

Great Western Dragon — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:08:53 -0500

A while back, on this very site, a sort of debate flourished about Twitter. Does it matter? Is it useful? I like it. I don't. It's crap. It's great.

And so the discussion continues.

However, a journalism student from UC Berkeley found Twitter to be of real use when he was swept up by Egyptian police while filming a protest. By tapping out one single word on his phone (ARRESTED) he alerted a network of friends and family to his situation.

Mercury News has the story.