Skip to main content
The Morning Star Shop
80 years after our ban, the fight for a workers' media continues
On August 26 1942, the 18-month ban on the Daily Worker was ended. But censorship is a growing menace 80 years on, argues BEN CHACKO
DETERMINATION: Liverpool Lime Street station picketed by RMT members during a strike over jobs, pay and conditions

EIGHTY years ago, on August 26 1942, the longest government ban on a newspaper in British history, which had begun on January 21 1941, was lifted.

The suppression of the Daily Worker was ordered by a Labour home secretary — Herbert Morrison — using emergency wartime powers. 

As I wrote 18 months ago when marking the anniversary of the ban beginning, it was an arbitrary act of censorship. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Telling ‘Silk Road stories’ for a multipolar world
Features / 19 September 2025
19 September 2025

Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports from the start of Kunming’s Belt and Road media forum, where 200 journalists from 71 countries celebrated a new openness and optimism, forged by China’s enormous contribution to global development

Protesters marching in Epping, Essex after a temporary injunction that would have blocked asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel, was overturned at the Court of Appeal, August 31, 2025
Anti-Racism / 13 September 2025
13 September 2025

Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports on TUC Congress discussions on how to confront the far right and rebuild the left’s appeal to workers

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC speaking at the TUC congress at the ACC Liverpool. Picture date: Monday September 11, 2023
Workers' Rights / 10 September 2025
10 September 2025
Similar stories
logo+banner
Fundraising / 3 May 2025
3 May 2025

A unique daily voice for peace and socialism

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at the Labour Part
Editorial: / 24 January 2025
24 January 2025
CLEAR VISION: Peter Mertens, of the Workers Party of Belgium
Features / 18 January 2025
18 January 2025
Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports from the annual Rosa Luxemburg Conference held last weekend in Berlin
The union flag and the flag of the People's republic of Chin
Editorial: / 16 December 2024
16 December 2024