Satire is a genre of literature, art, or performance that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize or comment on individuals, institutions, or societal norms.

The Onion is a satirical news website that publishes humorous and often absurd stories that parody real-world events and issues.

Satirical works often face censorship from governments, religious groups, or other powerful entities who feel that the satire is offensive or disrespectful.

Censorship of satirical works can take many forms, including banning the work from publication or distribution, editing or altering the work to remove offensive content, or pressuring authors or publishers to self-censor.

Censorship of satirical works is a threat to freedom of expression because it prevents the public from accessing important information, stifles creativity and artistic expression, and undermines the ability of satire to hold power to account.

Arguments in favor of censorship of satirical works often focus on the potential for satire to be offensive, disrespectful, or to spread misinformation or propaganda.

Balancing the need for freedom of expression with the need to protect individuals and groups from harm requires a multifaceted approach that includes establishing clear and narrow limits on censorship, promoting a culture of tolerance and respect for diverse viewpoints, and educating the public about the importance of satire and freedom of expression.

There are numerous historical examples of censorship of satirical works, including the banning of the film "Monty Python's Life of Brian" in several countries, the burning of books by the Nazis in Germany in the 1930s, and the imprisonment of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei for his satirical works.

There are numerous contemporary examples of censorship of satirical works, including the removal of the satirical website "The Babylon Bee" from social media platforms, the banning of the book "Maus" by Art Spiegelman in several school districts in the United States, and the pressure on comedians to self-censor their jokes for fear of being "canceled."

To protect satire and freedom of expression, we can support organizations that defend freedom of expression, speak out against censorship and self-censorship, and educate ourselves and others about the importance of satire.