Incident
Glavlit created: Soviet censorship office, 1922
In 1922, Soviet Russia created Glavlit, a single agency that reviewed newspapers, books, plays and even posters before they could be printed or performed. It was set up under Vladimir Lenin's government with final authority over what could appear. By 1930 no publication in the Soviet Union could appear without its approval.123
What happened
The government led by Vladimir Lenin created Glavlit in 1922 to replace a patchwork of separate military and civilian press controls agencies left over from the Russian Civil War with a single central office. Glavlit, short for the Chief Administration for Literary and Publishing Affairs, held final authority over printed materials and the performing arts, reviewing manuscripts, newspapers and plays before they could reach the public. Its censors watched for material that criticized the Communist Party or the Soviet state, whether directly or by implication, as well as economic or military information judged to threaten state security. By 1930 all printing and publishing in the Soviet Union, down to posters, notepads and theater tickets, required Glavlit's approval before release. The system continued for decades, with its standards loosened only in 1988 under Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost policy of openness, before Glavlit was dissolved by decree in 1991.123
What reason was given
Stated justificationGlavlit's mandate was to prevent the publication of material that could pose a military or economic security threat, or that could be read as critical of the Communist Party or the Soviet state.123
What changed for reporting
No newspaper, book, play or even minor printed item such as a poster or notepad could be published or performed in the Soviet Union without Glavlit's prior approval, a system that lasted essentially unchanged for over six decades.2
Timeline
1922
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Glavlit | enforced | Soviet state office overseeing printed matter and the arts |
| Vladimir Lenin | announced | Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia/the USSR |
Sources
Claims and evidence
Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.
- Glavlit was the central censorship office established in the Soviet Union in 1922, with final authority over printed materials as well as the performing arts.
office, known for short as Glavlit, with final authority over printed materials as well as the performing arts.
Glavlit archived copy, Encyclopaedia Britannica.Claim 156, checked 2026-09-22. - By 1930 all printing and publishing in the Soviet Union was subject to pre-publication censorship, covering everything from newspapers and books to posters and theater tickets.
by 1930 all printing and publishing in the Soviet Union was subject to pre-publication censorship
Glavlit archived copy, Encyclopedia.com.Claim 157, checked 2026-09-22. - Glavlit's standards were relaxed in late 1988 as part of Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost campaign, and the agency was dissolved by presidential decree in 1991.
Its standards were relaxed in late 1988 as part of Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost campaign
Glavlit archived copy, Encyclopedia.com.Claim 158, checked 2026-09-22.