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Gag order facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A gag order (also known as a gagging order or suppression order) is an order, typically a legal order by a court or government, restricting information or comment from being made public or passed onto any unauthorized third party. The phrase may sometimes be used of a private order by an employer or other institution.

Uses of gag orders include keeping trade secrets of a company, protecting the integrity of ongoing police or military operations, and protecting the privacy of victims or minors.

Gag orders are sometimes used in an attempt to assure a fair trial by preventing prejudicial pre-trial publicity.

In a similar manner, a "gag law" may limit freedom of the press, by instituting censorship or restricting access to information.

See also

  • Ag-gag
  • Compromise agreement
  • DA-Notice
  • Editorial independence
  • Filibuster
  • Franchise fraud
  • Freedom of speech
  • Gag rule
  • Injunction
  • Media blackout
  • Media transparency
  • Never say anything
  • Non-disclosure agreement
  • Prior restraint
  • Publication ban
  • Public Interest Immunity
  • Super-injunction
  • Temporary restraining order
  • Whistleblower
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