NCAC defends freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression through education, advocacy, and direct intervention, in service of a stronger democracy.

NCAC works directly with those affected by threats of censorship, including students, teachers, artists, curators and social activists. NCAC works with community members to resolve censorship controversies without the need for litigation.

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.

NCAC’s work focuses on case intervention, education and advocacy. In cases of censorship, or attempted censorship, success means that the targeted content--be it a book, an artwork or a political speech--is not removed, restricted or banned. Beyond individual case successes, we measure our impact on schools and cultural institutions strengthening their guidelines for handling content challenges, reaffirming their missions to defend freedom of expression and using attempts at censorship as opportunities to create deeper conversations within a community. Quantitatively, we measure the usage of our online resources, requests for assistance, intervention success rates. We also look for qualitative feedback from individuals and institutions with whom we work--students affected by book challenges, museum curators facing calls for censorship, etc. --to help us measure our impact and refine our work.

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.