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Censorship in Germany has taken many forms during the history of the region. Various regimes have restricted the press, theatre, cinema, and other entertainment venues.

Contents 1 German Empire (1871-1919) 2 Weimar Republic (1919-1933) 3 Nazi Germany (1933-1945) 4 West Germany (1945-1989) 5 East Germany (1945-1989) 6 After reunification (1989-present)

Main article: Censorship in the German Empire

In the German Empire, many media were under Imperial control. Before World War I, civil administrators appointed by the government were charged with ensuring the public decency of printed material within the Empire.

The Imperial Press Law of 1874 ended the government's right to censor materials before publishing. It also eliminated the need for a government-issued license to publish. However, the government retained the right to be notified of all publications as soon as printing began. Theatres, cinemas, cabarets, and music halls, however, were still subject to state licensing. Police had direct control over these venues.

With the outbreak of the war, the military took over the censorship office with the aim of mobilizing German support for the war. A police official was instated in every city for this purpose. Restrictions on materials became much harsher. Materials could be banned because of association with a particular person or country, or simply because the censor felt that the piece was distracting or a waste of time.

Main article: Film Assessment Headquarters

Article 118 of the Weimar constitution forbade censorship with the text "No censorship will take place". The only exception to this article was film. The film and cinema industry was regulated by the Film Assessment Headquarters. The purpose of this organization was to censor films released in Germany for pornography and other indecent content.

Other than the Film Assessment Headquarters, no official censorship of any medium took place in Weimar Germany.

Main article: Censorship in Nazi Germany

Censorship in Nazi Germany was implemented by the Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels. All media -- literature, music, newspapers, and public events -- were censored. Attempts were also made to censor private communications, such as mail and even private conversation, with mixed results.

The aim of censorship under the Nazi regime was simple: to reinforce Nazi power and to suppress opposing viewpoints and information. Punishments ranged from banning of presentation and publishing of works to deportation or even imprisonment in a concentration camp.

Hitler himself outlined his theory of propaganda and censorship in Mein Kampf:

"The chief function of propaganda is to convince the masses, whose slowness of understanding needs to be given time in order that they may absorb information; and only constant repetition will finally succeed in imprinting an idea on their mind."

Main article: Censorship in the Federal Republic of Germany

During the post-war period the West German media were subject to censorship by the Allied occupational forces. While no official censorship policies were in place, criticism of the occupational forces and of the emerging government were generally not tolerated. Publications which were expected to have a negative effect on the general public were not printed.

When the official government, the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland), took over, these limits were relaxed. The new German constitution guaranteed freedom of press, speech, and opinion.

An index of "harmful materials" listed those subjects and materials which are restricted in publishing and exhibition. These restrictions focused largely on material which could be "harmful" to minors, and included protections of "personal dignity". Materials written or printed by organizations ruled to be "anti-constitutional", such as Nazi organizations or the Baader-Meinhof Gang, were placed on the index.

The government also passed laws restricting the trade of Mein Kampf and forbidding the public expression of Holocaust denial.

Main article: Censorship in East Germany

Censorship in East Germany, the German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) was widely implemented. Licenses were required to publish any material, and permission was required to exhibit or perform any visual art. In addition, journalists without government approval were not hired. Censorship was implemented both before and after publication of a work.

The primary goal of East German censorship was to protect the interests of Communism and its implementation. Works critical of the East German or the Soviet governments were strictly forbidden, as were any works which seemed sympathetic to fascism or capitalism.

Harsh punishments were levied against dissenters to the censorship laws, up to and including deportation to West Germany.

Main article: Censorship in the Federal Republic of Germany

Because Germany kept the West German constitution after reunification, the same protections and restrictions as in West Germany apply to contemporary Germany. Continued globalization and the advent of internet marketing present a new host of complications to German censorship and information laws.

Membership in a Nazi party, adherence to national socialist ideas, and Holocaust denial are illegal in Germany. Publishing, television, public correspondence (including lectures), and music are censored accordingly, with harsh legal consequences, including jail time.