You may want to look at What is editing?—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop
don't overlook using the browser search...I searched for "what is arcgis editing" The browser search is a powerful tool and will bring up links to arcgis help, geonet, stackexchange, etc. I typically include the word "arcgis" or "arcpy" or "arcgis python" and whatever else seems relevant and go from there.
And I agree with Neil, I think you supervisor/professor is trying for you to think about "both reinforce and undermine the principle of freedom of information?" and not just find a resource on the web. Think about any news, weather, tv-show (although not always true-to-life...yet), a cars-navigation, or just about anything else you watch/hear....how many of them have maps and/or location information. Think about the impact on everyone's life...then answer it. That is only my opinion....what your supervisor/professor is asking may not be that...but that is how I would interpret the question.
edit...another link Editing | ArcGIS Resource Center