Question

What do you mean by censorship? Why was written material or cultural activities censored during the Old Regime?

Answer 1

Dear student,

• Censorship is changing or the suppression or prohibition of speech or writing that is deemed subversive of the common good. It occurs in all the manifestations of authority to some degree, but in modern times it has been of special importance in its relation to government and the rule of law.
• Written material or cultural activities were censored during the Old Regime because censorship was considered a legitimate instrument for regulating the moral and political life of the population. In ancient times, the idea of good governance included shaping the character of the people. Hence censorship was regarded as an honourable task.

Regards.