This essay will attempt to discuss the topic of censorship. It will look at the development of censorship in society throughout history. It will also use examples to show the problems in trying to define censorship and also the problems caused when people exercise their freedom of speech but at the same time cause harm to others. After discussing censorship in general the essay will then refer to the censorship of pornography with direct references to Britain. It will express the current laws on pornography and then attempt to show the problems caused by the distribution of pornography. The essay will also talk about the development of new forms of pornography distribution such as cable & satellite television and the Internet and how these new forms affect the distribution of pornography in Britain.

One of the most vehemently discussed examples of censorship in Britain is the case of the British National Party (BNP). The BNP are a political party, which strongly believe that the ever-increasing numbers of ethnic minorities are eroding British culture. The party has raised a very heated debate with both sides making valid claims that the party should or should not be banned depending on a particular viewpoint. The case study of the BNP is of key importance to the censorship battle in that it asks the question of whether harmful free speech should be banned and does harmful free speech transform into harmful actions?

On the one hand it can be argued that the BNP are a political party much like any other in that they have a recognised headquarters and distinct policies. However, it is these policies and what they allegedly invoke that are the cause of problems. People believe that their policies are wrong but in a free society it is hard to ban opinions. However,...