Censorship, new technology and libraries

The purpose of this paper is to outline some of the challenges for New Zealand's censorship system created by developments in entertainment and communications technology. It discusses the impact of these issues for libraries as they provide information that increasingly encompasses new technologies.

The paper describes the development of New Zealand's censorship system and how it has responded to the challenges of new technology.

New Zealand's censorship system has adapted well to changing technology. Ongoing monitoring of technological developments is required and non‐legislative solutions to future challenges will become more important.

New Zealand library and information professionals will need to be aware of their legal obligations. The Office of Film and Literature Classification has taken steps to inform libraries of those obligations.

The paper outlines changes in censorship law that will affect library and information professionals.