prior restraint

American  

noun

1. a court order banning publication of unpublished material.

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Etymology

Origin of prior restraint

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

But in 1971, the Supreme Court held that prior restraint on speech by the government is unconstitutional, requiring an “exceptional” showing of “grave and irreparable” danger.

From Salon

In The New York Times vs. the United States, the Nixon administration tried to block publication of the Pentagon Papers by arguing that publication of classified documents about the Vietnam War would endanger national security, necessitating prior restraint to protect vital security interests.

From Salon

In order to support an issuance of prior restraint today, the government must prove that publication would cause inevitable, direct and immediate danger to the United States.

From Salon

“With respect to this type of regulation that is a prior restraint on speech, what was the first example of that?” he asked.

From Slate

“At this stage, where little evidence has been offered, the latter would constitute an unconstitutional prior restraint of political activity that may or may not prove to be lawful.”

From Salon