NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST CENSORSHIP

Our Vision
We envision an American society that understands, values, defends, and vigorously exercises free expression in a just, egalitarian, diverse, and inclusive democracy.

Our Mission
Every generation of Americans faces new and significant challenges to free expression. For almost 50 years, NCAC has acted as a first responder to protect this freedom, which is both a fundamental human right and a keystone of democracy in the ever-changing American nation. We promote freedom of thought and inquiry and oppose censorship. When controversy occurs, we encourage and facilitate dialogue between divergent voices and perspectives, including those that have historically been silenced.

Our Core Beliefs:
1. Free expression is fundamental to both individuals and society. The right to free expression is a basic human right and essential to human fulfillment.
2. The right to free expression, including the right to access ideas, information, art and science, makes it possible for original thought and creativity to thrive.
3. We are a non-partisan organization. We defend the right to free expression no matter how controversial or objectionable to many the expression may be.
4. While our work enforces First Amendment principles, we defend freedom of expression when menaced by unwarranted suppression from any source, including local, state and federal officials, private individuals and corporations. Free expression issues are particularly complex and evolving in the increasingly important social media sphere, in which some individuals and entities wield great power. We advocate measures that will foster free expression in this crucial arena.

NCAC works directly with those affected by threats of censorship. NCAC works with community members to resolve censorship controversies without the need for litigation.

We provide direct intervention for people and groups facing censorship in their communities.

We serve:

-Students, teachers, librarians, parents and others opposing censorship in schools and libraries
-Artists, curators and museum directors resisting art censorship
-Writers and publishers
-Activists and protestors
-Dramatists, filmmakers, creators of all forms of art and cultural production
-Our coalition partners

NCAC is national in scope, but often local in our approach. Our coalition comprises 56 organizations that see freedom of expression as crucial to their missions. NCAC draws on over 40 years of experience in resolving censorship disputes without the need for litigation.

As long as people are both creative and different, the urge to censor words, images and ideas with which people do not agree will exist.

Since 1974, NCAC has ensured that countless students have access to books, hundreds of artists can reach an audience and advised on legislation and litigation that has made our democracy more open and vibrant.

In today’s increasingly polarized climate, we will continue to promote First Amendment principles, educate communities on engaging in discussion rather than attempting to silence dissent, and defend freedom of expression for everyone, every day.