Censorship in WW1 "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

What is censorship?

Censorship Government restrictions on speech or writing

Discuss in groups When, if ever, is Censorship acceptable in your opinion?

Why do governments censor information? To protect secrets (e.g. battle plans, where troops are etc) To cover up mistakes To prevent opposition Decency reasons (e.g. swearing, nudity etc) To control peoples actions and opinions

Censorship in WW1 Troops had their letters & postcards home censored. However most soldiers exercised ‘self censorship’. This is where people know that saying certain things is not allowed so they don’t say/write them at all in the first place. News at home was heavily censored to cover up mistakes and terrible defeats.

Individually Now you are going to censor your own trench letters. Stick your trench letter into the middle of an A3 piece of paper Now cross out with a pencil any sections that you think would be censored Next to each censored section explain why this would have been censored When you have finished on a separate piece of paper write a 250 word response to the question ‘Can censorship ever be justified?’

Plenary – when might censorship be justified? (if ever)

Bibliography http://www.tatteredcoat.com/images/censorship.jpg