Standing up to censorship

• The cancelling of work, and the removal of games or books from libraries and online storefronts because of their content – even though that content is perfectly within the law. In a WGGB poll of over 200 professional writers, 39% said they believed they had lost work as a result of either the themes and content of their work or their views and activities.
• Writers facing undue pressure to change their work for reasons of political expediency or to avoid conflict with potential funders. 50% of writers polled by WGGB said they have felt pressure to change their work, while only 7% said funding decisions are based on creative merit.
• An increase in the use of ‘morality clauses’ in contracts (not allowed in Writers Guild of America contracts), which attempt to impose unspecified behaviour codes on writers beyond the scope of their engagement, and which are open to misinterpretation and abuse.
• Contracts and company guidelines that attempt to place restrictions on writers’ political and trade union activities, including their right to criticise Government policy or the ethics of certain funders, their use of social media or their attendance at demonstrations and peaceful protests.
• The use of non-disclosure agreements or confidentiality clauses to prevent criticism of bad practice.
• The so-called ‘blacklisting’ of writers because of their perceived political positions.
• Political interference by Government, political parties or private funders in arts funding and production decisions. 79% of writers polled by WGGB said UK funding bodies are subject to political interference, 55% believed that their freedom of expression has been curtailed, while 82% felt freedom of expression is under threat in the UK.

All of these behaviours – which are often combined with anti-union sentiments and anti-union clauses – are having a chilling effect on the writing community, resulting in self-censorship and a loss of the challenging and thought-provoking work that the UK creative industries have previously produced.

Read more detail in our policy position statement Standing up to censorship.

Read what the law says on freedom of expression here.

• We are currently in discussion with a number of key parties – look out for further action (and ways you can get involved) in coming months.
• We have supported motions at TUC Congress, including Protect art workers’ freedom of expression and Defend the right to protest, defend democracy.
• As part of the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe, WGGB has adopted a resolution strengthening member guilds’ collective commitment to defending freedom of artistic expression across Europe.
• We have published a statement on censorship of videogames content and you can read it here.
• Read more detail in our policy position statement Standing up to censorship.

Read your contracts before you sign and look out for potentially problematic clauses such as:

• Vague contractual clauses on the prevention of ‘reputational damage’.
• Contractual clauses on ‘morality’, ‘blasphemy’ and other subjective behaviours as a condition of funding or commission.
• The prohibition of legal comment on third-party sponsors as a condition of funding or commission.
• The prohibition of legal, peaceful protest as a condition of funding or commission.
• The prohibition of political activity (including trade union activities or the critique of Government policy) as a condition of funding or commission.

We have produced an infographic checklist which you can use and bookmark. Download it here. We have also produced a social media flyer version of the checklist which you can share with other writers. Download it here.

If you find any of the above in your contracts:

We are asking all UK writers who find censorship clauses in their contracts to ask their agent to strike them out and to let us know in confidence. If you are a WGGB member, contact [email protected] If you are not a WGGB member you can report it in confidence via our online Report It! service

To get involved in future campaigning activity, email [email protected]