What is censorship? Many people insist only government can
be a censor. Joe Konrath wrote an entire blog about how PayPal’s threats to cut off publishers and book sellers unless they
ceased selling certain books was not censorship because PayPal was a business,
not a government. Say it ain't so, Joe! With apologies, Mr. Konrath, you’re
wrong.
(Waiting for a thunderbolt to strike for having the audacity
to offend The Pompous One).
Since I’m still standing, unscathed, let me grab a
dictionary. Merriam Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary: "Censor: One who supervises conduct and morals: as
a) an official who examines materials (as publications or films) for
objectionable matter; b) an official (as in time of war) who reads
communications (as letters) and deletes material considered harmful to the
interests of his organization. Censorship: The institution, system or practice
of censoring; the actions or practices of censors; esp. censorial control
exercised repressively."
Hmmm, no government mentioned there. Let's keep looking.
Ugh, this one's heavy. Oran's Dictionary of Law: "Censorship: 1. The
denial of freedom of speech or freedom of the press. 2. The review of books,
movies, etc., to prohibit publication and distribution, usually for reasons of
morality or state security."
No elected officials there, either. Not even the county
dog-catcher. Let's try Encarta Encyclopedia:
"Censorship: supervision and control of the information
and ideas circulated within a society. In modern times, censorship refers to
the examination of media including books, periodicals, plays, motion pictures,
and television and radio programs for the purpose of altering or suppressing
parts thought to be offensive. The offensive material may be considered immoral
or obscene, heretical or blasphemous, seditious or treasonable, or injurious to
the national security."
Darn. But Joe Konrath can't be wrong! He’s the god of
wannabe writers! (It must be true; I read it on his blog!). Gotta keep trying!
Academic American Encyclopedia: "Censorship is a word
of many meanings. In its broadest sense it refers to suppression of
information, ideas, or artistic expression by anyone, whether government
officials, church authorities, private pressure groups, or speakers, writers,
and artists themselves. It may take place at any point in time, whether before
an utterance occurs, prior to its widespread circulation, or by punishment of
communicators after dissemination of their messages, so as to deter others from
like expression. In its narrower, more legalistic sense, censorship means only
the prevention by official government action of the circulation of messages
already produced. Thus writers who "censor" themselves before putting
words on paper, for fear of failing to sell their work, are not engaging in
censorship in this narrower sense, nor are those who boycott sponsors of
disliked television shows."
At last! I knew that Big Government had to stick its snout
in somewhere! But even this last definition explains government can be one of
many censors. In its narrowest sense, the word may mean what Joe says it does.
But in every other sense, it means anyone can be a censor. Including PayPal.
Censorship is more egregious when committed by government, or, as in the case
of PayPal, by an entity with near-monopolistic control.
Now, before Joe debates the definition of “monopoly”, I
realize PayPal is not a monopoly – yet. But it has achieved a position of
market dominance – to the point where many smaller booksellers would find it
infeasible to sell online – such that its edicts will have a chilling effect on
free speech. Writers will not be able to sell their books if they stray from
PayPal-approved subject matter – that’s the bottom line.
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