How do you define censorship?

[netmouse]

Someone commented in another journal the idea that censorship is something only governments can do.

I had defined it as something people with power do to people (publications, performances, etc) they have power over.

ETA: by power I meant institutionally-based authority, not merely physical force. "Institution" can include social institutions, such as clubs, churches, or families.

How do you define censorship?

Comments

[sethb.livejournal.com]

I define censorship as A preventing B communicating something to C, when B and C are willing participants in the communication.

A saying "I'm not going to help you communicate" isn't censorship.

Therefore, censorship requires some sort of force or power. It can be done by a gang just as by a government (what's the difference?)