Glossary of Terms

This page outlines all of the questions and the corresponding censorship categories currently included in Censorship Tracker. As we receive more reports these categories may change.

What is being censored or suppressed? Indicate the medium in which the censored content appears.

• Personal Correspondence: Personal correspondence between two or more individuals, such as a phone call, text message, email, etc.
  
• News, Reportage and Commentary: News reports, articles and op-eds published in newspapers, magazines, etc.
  
• Creative Work: Art, music, film, writing, or any other creative expression.
  
• Book: Fiction or non-fiction books.
• Government Documents: Government documents, including emails, reports, letters, etc.
• Public Speech: Public speech such as a lecture, sermon, talk, etc.
• Public Protest: Public protest, vigil, or demonstration.

Is it online or offline? Check one or both of these boxes to indicate where the content could be accessed.

Who is being censored or having their rights infringed? Who is the person or group under threat? If the case is a matter of limiting public access to information, choose "the public."

• Journalist or media outlet: Journalists (including photojournalists and videojournalists) media outlets or media organizations.
  
• Student or Student Group: Individual students, student groups, or assemblies.
  
• Independent media: Any person creating media independently- includes writers, bloggers, artists, photographers, etc.
  
• Academic Institution or Library: Universities, colleges, professional training academies, or libraries.
  
• Government employee or agency: Government worker, or a government agency or organization.
  
• Corporation: Small or large private corporations.
  
• Private Individual or group: Private individual or group.
  

Who or what is the source of the threat? Indicate where the threat to free expression is coming from, for example the government, a corporation, in individual, etc.

• Government, police or military: Government and its agencies, police, or military.
  
• Media: A media outlet or institution.
  
• Business or Corporation: Small or large businesses or corporations.
  
• Academic Institution: Academic institution or administration.
  
• Private Individual or group: Private individual or group.

How is it being censored? We have identified seven types of censorship that encompass the scope of the challenges to free expression that exist in Canada. These seven types are based on the guidelines set out in this background paper by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Opinion and Expression. Please indicate if your report falls under one or more of these categories.

• Legal action or intimidation: This category includes incidents in which which criminal defamation charges or civil defamation claims are being used to intimidate or repress information; in which defamation sanctions are overly harsh; in which legal cases are brought against media outlets for reporting factual stories; or where statements of fact are unjustly penalized.
  
• Censorship of journalists and media: This category includes incidents where  journalists are prevented from publishing factual reports; where journalists are prevented or barred from reporting; or where external pressures (e.g. government) prevent reports from being published.
  
• Violence against journalists or media: This includes incidents where violence, intimidation or threats are used against journalists for the purpose of preventing them from reporting.
  
• Limits on the right to information: This includes incidents where there are limits to accessing government documents outside the legislated timeframe or without clear reason; limits to accessing to your own personal information collected by government or corporations; or the silencing of individuals employed by the government.
  
•  Limits on support for public or alternative media:  This category includes incidents where public or alternative media are prevented from producing or airing content; or suffer from significant cuts to resources or funding.   
  
•  Limits on access to communications technologies: This category includes incidents where there are limits to access to information and communications tools in libraries or other public spaces; or limits to access by telecom companies.
  
•  Limits on the right to assemble: This includes incidents where individuals or groups are limited in their right to assemble peacefully (eg protest, parade, public events).