Standing Committee Against Censorship

Function: To solicit and receive reports of censorship in­cidents from NCTE members, constituent groups, and sources outside the Council; to maintain an annotated list of agencies and organizations concerned with censorship, and to maintain informal liaison with groups that are op­posed to censorship; to coordinate its activities with other Council groups that deal with censorship; to serve as a resource on current patterns of censorship; to advise the Executive Committee, affiliate leaders, and others on strategies for dealing with censorship; and to propose convention sessions and publications on the subject of censorship.

The Committee gathered I Indianapolis to complete preparation for our two sessions: R(Rights) and R(Responsibilities) in the Classroom: Responding to Censorship in 2004 and What’s Censored Now! Visual Images as Target featuring author Jan Greenberg. After discussing Pittsburgh program directions, the group studied the document Defining and Defending Instructional Methods for revision. Following the meeting, individuals submitted revisions which will be reviewed in Pittsburgh. Members continue the on-going, inspired work to promote and ensure free expression.

Marlene Ann Birkman, Chair