Redacting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
✂️
redacting
[rɪˈdæktɪŋ ]
Definition
document editing
Redacting refers to the process of editing or preparing a document for publication by removing or obscuring sensitive information. This process can be essential in legal, governmental, or corporate settings to ensure confidentiality and protect personal data.
Synonyms
censoring, editing, obscuring, removing.
Examples of usage
- The lawyer spent hours redacting sensitive information from the files.
- Before publishing the report, they had to ensure that all classified details were redacted.
- The journalist redacted personal identifiers to protect the sources.
- She was careful in redacting the witness statements to maintain privacy.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Legal Context
- In legal documents, redacting is crucial to protect sensitive information, such as personal identification or classified material.
- Courts often require that sensitive sections of documents be redacted to ensure confidentiality during trials.
Technology
- Document editing software often includes redaction tools that allow users to easily remove or black out text before sharing.
- Digital redacting can sometimes be complicated, as improperly edited PDFs may leave the original text accessible behind the blacked-out sections.
Media and Publication
- In journalism, redacting is used to safeguard the identities of whistleblowers and victims in published reports.
- Books and articles often undergo redaction to revise content before release, but it’s more about clarifying rather than hiding.
Ethics
- The ethics of redacting often revolve around the balance of transparency and privacy, especially in government documents.
- Redacting can be controversial when it’s done to manipulate public perception or to cover up wrongdoing.
Origin of 'redacting'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'redact' stems from the Latin word 'redigere', which means 'to bring back' or 'to put together'.
- In the 17th century, 'redacting' began to take on the meaning of editing text for publication or modification.
The term 'redact' originates from the Latin word 'redactus', which means 'to bring back' or 'to lead back'. This evolved through the Middle French word 'redacter' during the 16th century, which incorporated the same Latin roots. Initially, redaction was a term used in legal and academic contexts, referring to the editing and preparation of documents for clearer understanding. Over time, it has become more commonly associated with the act of blacking out or removing sensitive information from documents before they are made public. Today, redaction serves a critical function in various fields, including law, journalism, and government, as it helps safeguard personal privacy and sensitive data from unauthorized disclosure.