Redacting: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• 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.

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.