Is censorship always a bad thing?

Hi.

Granted, in general, I am anti-censorship and in films that I watch for instance, especially since Britain has been for many decades notorious for it, I prefer full uncut versions with all the violent and bloody scenes and other adult material intact.

But at the same time, is it always that bad?

Also, while I am no expert on it, even though I have lived partially in Russia during the USSR/Soviet Union until it collapsed in late 1991 (I was born in 1986), whilst some or even many aspects of the Soviet censorship are and have been criticized (negatively, mind you), some actually have found an understanding and appreciation even, although it was STILL referred to as "Soviet CENSORSHIP".

For instance, the picking of TALENTED MUSICAL artists, who CAN sing, write music and play interests, versus the later 90s and 00s untalented musical acts who got on the scene due to money and family connections, that was ACTUALLY called CENSORSHIP (although why it ws referred to as THAT as opposed to something else i.e. "stronger musically-related CRITERIA, Soviet or otherwise, I have little idea, but I guess at different times and different levels words mean different things to different people) and that was seen as a good thing.

Also, you may be surprised, but during the USSR, pornographic movies were often unavailable, there was a classic slogan "No sex in the USSR" and even the word "sex" (meaning "sexual intercourse") was often censored and called "sekas" (lol!!!!) - I will leave it up to you to make judgments but this was NOT seen and is still NOT seen today as an example of "good Soviet censorship".

But anyways, Soviet Union, USSR, me and a few bibbles and babbles briefly put aside, censorship, and is it always "bad" and "wrong", thanks.

P.S. In some cases, even if it isn't "good", does it really MATTER and why is its presence often STRONGLY felt and does it even MEAN anything? Cheers!