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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Censor

I was at a meeting where a person was corrected on the use of the word "Censor". The topic of discussion was that of a private web cite posting section like this one. The discussion was regarding what should or should not be posted. One of the members stated that she "was not in favor of censoring the publication posts in any way". One of the other members in attendance stated "Only the government can censor, private organizations can prevent or alter publication, but it is not considered censorship unless it is performed by a government entity". I looked in several references and I can find no evidence to indicate that the word censor is confined to government.

What is the correct and proper use of the word Censor.

Bill Boyce
  

Top answer

Censor is a person whose job is to read books, watch films, etc. in order to remove anything offensive from them, or who reads private letters, especially sent during war or from prison, to remove parts considered unsuitable. (from Cambridge) so it need not be limited to governmental contexts.

— Seyfihoca

  • Censor is a person whose job is to read books, watch films, etc.
  • in order to remove anything offensive from them, or who reads private letters, especially sent during war or from prison, to remove parts considered unsuitable.
  • (from Cambridge) so it need not be limited to governmental contexts.
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2 Answers
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Censor is a person whose job is to read books, watch films, etc. in order to remove anything offensive from them, or who reads private letters, especially sent during war or from prison, to remove parts considered unsuitable. (from Cambridge)

so it need not be limited to governmental contexts.

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To censor is to examine and expurgate. (American Heritage Dictionary)
There is no mention whatsoever of government.

There's also the verb "censure", often used in government, but not limited to it. It means to criticize severely, to blame.
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