The Impact of Censorship on Freedom of Expression
Imagining a world where the most powerful stories are silenced simply because they make people uncomfortable is hard to portray.
While some argue that certain books should be censored for explicit language or controversial themes, others believe that restricting access to literature inhibits freedom of expression and limits the understanding of diverse perspectives. Literary works should not be censored based on language or content because of freedom of expression, intellectual curiosity, and historical and cultural significance.
Censorship Restricts Freedom of Expression
First, it is important to stress that censorship restricts freedom of expression. It’s essential to ensure that diverse voices and perspectives can be heard and understood without interference by protecting artistic freedom. On this matter, Huertas (2023) comments that:
“The ability to freely express oneself – and the ability to freely engage with that artistic expression – should not be restricted, especially at the urging of groups who don’t understand the product or claim it to be dangerous.” (para. 5)
This quote argues that people should have the right to create and engage with art freely, without restrictions imposed by groups who may misinterpret or fear the work. With censorship, expression and art lose their excitement, as stated by Khan (2018):
“If we continue to stifle creativity, we will be left with a one-dimensional, homogenous world, a world in monochrome.” (p. 47)
This statement warns that suppressing creative expression leads to a dull, uniform society lacking diversity and depth. It suggests that censorship reduces the world to a single, unvaried viewpoint. In the end, censorship not only limits individual expression but also deprives society of the richness and excitement that diverse, uncensored creativity brings.
Censorship Stifles Intellectual Curiosity
Next, censorship can stifle intellectual curiosity. Exposure to diverse and challenging content is crucial for developing well-rounded, critical thinkers. Gorlewski (n.d.) stated that:
“Learners who never encounter challenging content are unprepared for authentic participation in our society; having never considered alternative perspectives, they may not be prepared to explicate their own beliefs.” (para. 5)
This statement argues that students who are guarded from difficult or controversial ideas lack the skills needed to engage meaningfully in society. Without encountering varied viewpoints, they may struggle to understand others’ perspectives or to defend their own beliefs. Censorship, most of the time, makes human beings want to remove those barriers and know what is behind them, which is very difficult to avoid. P&RR (2024) comments that:
“Throughout various epochs, attempts to suppress ideas have invariably led to a paradoxical increase in the interest and circulation of the censored works.” (para. 15)
In other words, censorship often backfires, making banned ideas even more intriguing and widely discussed. In conclusion, censoring ideas limits intellectual curiosity, discouraging people from exploring diverse perspectives and questioning the world around them.