The Freedom to View

The Freedom to View, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium or expression. There, these principles are confirmed: 

1. To provide the broadest possible access to films and other audiovisual materials they are a means for communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.

2. To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video and other audiovisual materials.

3. To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraints of labeling or prejudging film, video and other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.

4. To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view. 

(This statement was originally drafted by the Freedom to View Committee of the American Film and Video Association (formerly the Educational Film Library Associations) and was adopted by the AFVA Board of Directors in February 1979. This statement was updated and approved by the AFVA Board of Directors in 1989. Endorsed by the ALA Council January 10, 1990)