IFRT Members Community (Open)

 View Only
last person joined: 13 hours ago 

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) provides a forum for the discussion of activities, programs, and problems in intellectual freedom of libraries and librarians.

The IFRT Members Community group is the central hub for discussion, library and events. It is visible to all ALA members but only IFRT members can participate in the conversation.

Taking the IFRT pulse on film censorship

  • 1.  Taking the IFRT pulse on film censorship

    Posted 3 days ago

    Hello,

    Sharing on behalf of the Film and Media Round Table:

    Scott Spicer had posted this inquiry (mild edits) to the VIDEOLIB-L list: 

    "The ALA FMRT Executive Committee has been trying to capture feedback in our community to determine 1) whether anyone has experienced censorship with showing, acquiring, or withdrawing a film in their [public, school, or academic] library, and 2) whether it's worth having greater discussion (or even program) on the potential for film censorship? This was just kind of a pulse check on supporting our community, not designed to be a political discussion-though, of course, policies that lead to censorship often have a political foundation pushing the narrative.  Feel free to contact me directly if you do not feel comfortable speaking in the forum. Feedback will be shared with Committee members to determine next steps (at least those hosted by FMRT)."

    We received only one public reply, where it was noted that a library had needed to do some negotiation on film selections for an Israel - Palestine double feature and where marketing and running that event took special consideration and care--not "straight-up censorship" in the respondent's opinion.  

    To cover our bases, we wanted to ask Intellectual Freedom Round Table members if they know of any recent library film censorship cases that were not reported to us, or that we may have overlooked.

    Sincerely,
    Brian Boling
    Media Services Librarian, Temple University
    Film and Media Round Table liaison to IFC
    brian.boling@temple.edu



    ------------------------------
    Brian Boling
    Film and Media Round Table councilor
    Media Services Librarian
    Temple University
    brian.boling@temple.edu
    ------------------------------