Banned Books: Introduction

Banned Books week, usually the last week of September, highlights the value of free and open access to information. Many challenges are made by groups or individuals who have good intentions. They feel that their actions are helping to protect children and others who may be upset or offended by the content of the book. Libraries are dedicated to presenting all points of view on issues and ideas, and to challenging censorship.

What happens to a society where citizens are not allowed to choose what they read and speak? The principle of intellectual freedom requires a free exchange of ideas. When a government suppresses the exchange of a representative range of ideas, what happens?

There are plenty of books that contain information that many of us would consider objectionable, wrong, hurtful, racist, bad taste, etc. Is there ever an instance where censorship is acceptable?