While words break no bones, they can have a bruising effect on artistic freedom. By volume, Protest, which includes actions such as complaints, accusations, boycotts and harassment, was the top method used. It was the public’s preferred method but was liberally used by other agents. 

Banning was the second most commonly used method overall. On the more severe end of the spectrum of methods used, creators, publishers and distributors of artistic and creative works were subjected to prosecution, detention and other punishments in violation of their right to free expression. 

Other methods include detention, investigation, prosecution, destruction or alteration of works, and withdrawal of resources. Taken collectively, these ‘sticks and stones’ methods formed the greatest threat to artistic freedom in the period under study.