Self-censorship: Why We Do the Censors’ Work for Them

Governments, even the most liberal and enlightened, all consider it necessary to suppress at least some information and comment. Indeed, the key statements on intellectual freedom recognise that this may happen and that it can in certain types of case be considered legitimate. For instance, the European Convention on Human Rights, after setting out the essential rights to information and communication in its Article 10, says that: The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or the rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary. (Council of Europe, 1950)