The term 'censorship' comes from the Latin 'censere' meaning to give one's opinion, or to assess. In ancient Rome the censors, two Roman magistrates, conducted the census and regulated the manners and morals of the citizens. Censorship's may be applied to both written and oral communications. Its span encompasses books, magazines, newspapers, radio, TV, movies, dramas, paintings, plays, speeches, dance, music, art, literature, photographs, mails, emails, websites etc. deemed to be offensive, indecent, obscene and sexually explicit.
Censorship of Films
Films are considered as a great medium of communication with the people. With the development and progress of the society and also with the progress in the field of science and technology the films have undergone a sea change and by adopting all the available technologies have been able to reach the masses and also significantly contributed to the social and cultural development of the country. In this way the films are equated with the Press as Press is also considered as a great medium of communication. Both the films and the Press enjoy the same status and right so far as constitutional freedom relating to expression of ideas and spreading of ideas and messages are concerned. As is known Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression which is extended to the Press also. Therefore, both these mediums are regulated under this provision of the Constitution. Simultaneously as these freedoms are not absolute and subject to constitutional restrictions, both these mediums are also to adhere to this.
As mentioned above, we have the Cinematograph Act, 1952 to see the films fulfill the norms prescribed by the law. The Act provides for the establishment of a 'Central Board of Film Certification', the regulatory body for films in India to issue the certificate to the makers of the film for public exhibition. As per the provision of the law, the Board after examining the film or having it examined could:
(a) Sanction the film for unrestricted public exhibition;
(b) Sanction the film for public exhibition restricted to adults;
(c) Direct such excisions and modifications in the film before sanctioning the film to any unrestricted public exhibition or for public exhibition restricted to adults; and
(d) Refuse to sanction the film for public exhibition.