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Fake News: Censorship (Freedom To Read)

What is "Freedom To Read", and what does it have to do with Fake News?

"Freedom to read" is the concept that one has open opportunity to access information and literature of any kind.  Rather than censoring content and screening which books are "appropriate" for any given person to read (Who decides? Under what guidelines? Why? etc.), freedom to read as a concept supports the autonomy of the reader.  This is related to the concept of "fake news" because a major factor in propaganda and misinformation is also withholding information.  Essentially, this is supporting intellectual freedom with access to information.

Check out the resources below, including Freedom To Read Week resources, further information on these concepts, and a selection of challenged books available through the University of Regina libraries.

Freedom To Read Week Website and Information

Freedom To Read Week in the words of the organizers (Check out more about the organization, celebration ideas, selected readings and more at their website here): 

"Who We Are
Freedom to Read Week is organized by the Book and Periodical Council (BPC), the umbrella organization for Canadian associations that are or whose members are primarily involved with the writing, editing, translating, publishing, producing, distributing, lending, marketing, reading and selling of written words.

Statement on Freedom of Expression (expanded on page)
A statement of the basic tenets of the Freedom of Expression Committee of the Book and Periodical Council.

Freedom of Expression Committee
The BPC’s Freedom of Expression Committee monitors censorship issues in Canada, organizes the annual Freedom to Read Week, and produces an information kit each year on issues of intellectual freedom."

Resources about Censorship

Challenged Books To Borrow (Physical and Online)