Censorship, Social Media, and the Online Culture War: Navigating the Tension Between Freedom and Control

By Brooklyn Leschyshyn

The Rise of Social Media and Its Impact on Public Discourse

The emergence of social media has transformed communication and engagement in the public sphere. Traditional face-to-face interactions have largely been replaced by online encounters, introducing challenges such as misinterpretation and misinformation.Systemic cultural issues are increasingly amplified on these platforms, gaining visibility and exacerbating polarization in identity politics. As a result, ideologies play a crucial role in shaping political participation online, influencing grassroots activism and electoral outcomes. Overall, the dynamics of online engagement are significantly reshaping societal discourse.

Online Culture War and Ideology

In her book Kill All Normies, Angela Nagle argues that social media has become a breeding ground for an online culture war (Nagle, 2017). This digital battleground targets core societal values, including sexuality, gender identity, free speech, feminism, and political correctness. Nagle further contends that this online shift has created a space that fosters cynicism and immorality (Nagle, 2017). Within this online battleground, individuals with liberal ideologies are frequently labeled as "weak" or "snowflakes," while right-wing ideologies are often stigmatized as problematic, misogynistic, or even white supremacist. This demonization of opposing groups can contribute to online radicalization, which can have real-world consequences. Nagle’s analysis of the online culture war aligns with the trend of public shaming, where individuals and groups are publicly vilified and ostracized (Nagle, 2017).

The Role of Censorship in Online Spaces

Censorship is a pervasive reality in online spaces, but its effectiveness and ethical implications are hotly debated. From the extremist rhetoric found on platforms like 4chan to the spread of misinformation on platforms like Facebook, the issue of online misinformation poses a serious threat to credible information and public understanding. While censorship can be a necessary tool to mitigate the harms of the online culture war, it also carries significant risks.

Fostering a healthy digital environment requires a balanced approach. Empowering the public to critically evaluate online content, develop strong media literacy skills, and engage in self-regulation is crucial. This approach, which can be termed "social media democracy," aims to minimize the need for extensive censorship while simultaneously addressing the challenges of misinformation and online extremism.

The Cambridge Analytica Scandal

The Cambridge Analytica investigation brought to light serious concerns about the exploitation of personal data for political manipulation. In 2017, Carole Cadwalladr began investigating the company, initially unaware of its significance. After mentioning Cambridge Analytica in an article, she received an angry letter from the company, which led to the widespread exposure of their activities (Guardian News and Media, 2018).

Cadwalladr’s investigation revealed that companies like Cambridge Analytica could exploit "fake news" sites to track users across the web. This practice allowed them to manipulate public opinion by pushing specific narratives and promoting misinformation, effectively deceiving individuals into believing false information.

The Canadian Investigation into Cambridge Analytica

In 2018, the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics (AIPE) conducted an investigation into the data practices of Cambridge Analytica and Facebook. The investigation revealed that personal information was being misused by these companies to promote misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms (Vese, 2022, p.4).

The AIPE report recommended several key measures, including increased transparency from social media platforms regarding their use of algorithms. Furthermore, the report called for the removal of illegal content, such as disinformation and fake news, and emphasized the need for enhanced public awareness campaigns and media literacy programs.

The Tension Between Censorship and Authoritarianism

While censorship can serve a valuable purpose by protecting the public from violence, harm, and the spread of misinformation, it can also be a dangerous tool for control and suppression. Authoritarian governments have a long history of employing censorship to maintain power, silencing dissent, and controlling public discourse (Aysenur, Nibet, 2022, p.8).

Arguments in favor of authoritarian online content policing often center on the need to remove "inappropriate" content that challenges social values, threatens national security, or incites political unrest (Aysenur, Nibet, 2022, p.8). The rise of the internet initially promised to democratize access to information and foster the free exchange of ideas. However, authoritarian regimes fear the potential for alternative viewpoints to challenge their authority, leading them to implement strict censorship measures to suppress dissent and repress new ideas.

The Cycle of Innovation, Repression, and Resistance

The early promise of the internet as a technology of "liberation" has been increasingly challenged by a dynamic of control and resistance. Authoritarian governments, fearing the destabilizing potential of free and open information flows, have implemented sophisticated censorship mechanisms to restrict online access and control public discourse. However, citizens and dissidents have developed ingenious methods to circumvent these restrictions, leading to a continuous cycle of innovation, repression, and counter-innovation.

As Aysenur and Nibet observe, "This spiral reflects that even the most robust censorship mechanisms are vulnerable to circumvention, which has become a key concept for illustrating the contemporary online communication experience of citizens" (Aysenur, Nibet, 2022, p.8).

Government Censorship in Russia

The Russian government has actively blocked access to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter following the invasion of Ukraine to limit access to independent information and curb the spread of pro-Ukraine content. This form of government censorship is aimed at promoting a narrative that aligns with the state's objectives, restricting the public's ability to access alternative viewpoints or accurate information (Aysenur & Nibet, 2022, p.8).

The Debate Over Censorship in Western Democracies

In Western democracies, there is a heightened fear of censorship, primarily because it is seen as a direct threat to personal freedoms. Social media, which originally functioned as a platform for personal expression and social interaction, now serves multifaceted roles, including advertising, political campaigning, and influencer marketing. For example, Twitter, once a place for individuals to share personal updates, evolved into a primary platform for official statements from public figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. Such statements often require archiving, as mandated by the Presidential Records Act (Washington Journal for Law, 15(1), 36).

While social media platforms like Facebook are frequently used for news consumption, they have also become repositories of controversial and harmful content. Instagram’s community guidelines prohibit content related to hate speech, nudity, and serious threats of harm, but enforcement is often inconsistent. Twitter, by contrast, permits some forms of graphic violence or adult content if marked as "sensitive" (Washington Journal for Law, 15(1), 36).

The Case of Alex Jones and Social Media Regulation

The inconsistency in social media guidelines has led to public criticism. Some argue that the platforms' regulations are too lenient, while others contend they are excessively restrictive. A prime example of this tension is the case of Alex Jones, the founder of Infowars, a website known for promoting conspiracy theories. Jones was permanently banned from Twitter in 2018 for violating its policies on abusive behavior and harassment. While the ban was seen as a measure to protect users from harm, it also fueled further conspiracy theories among his followers, with some claiming that it was part of a broader effort by the government to silence dissent (Washington Journal for Law, 15(1), 36).

The Future of Censorship and Free Speech

Social media has become a battleground for what can be said and who gets to say it. The platforms were originally designed to foster social connection and the exchange of ideas, but they have increasingly become spaces for promoting radical ideologies. The question remains whether censorship, while protecting individuals from harm, also suppresses critical discourse and opposing views.

Ultimately, this raises an important question about how society will adapt to the ongoing tension between censorship and freedom of expression. The public must become more critical of the information it consumes and shares, particularly when it comes to misinformation and fake news. Promoting critical thinking and media literacy can help individuals discern between fact and fiction, reducing the need for excessive censorship. Public engagement in fact-checking, understanding algorithms, and verifying the credibility of sources are all steps that can lead to a more responsible and informed use of social media.

Citations

Amendment to Social Media Platforms via the Public Function Exception. Washington Journal for Law, Technology & Arts, 15(1), 36

Aysenur Dal, & Erik C. Nisbet. (2022). Walking Through Firewalls: Circumventing Censorship of Social Media and Online Content in a Networked Authoritarian Context. Social Media + Society, 8. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051221137738

Guardian News and Media. (2018, September 29). Exposing Cambridge Analytica: 'it's been exhausting, exhilarating, and slightly terrifying'. The Guardian. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/membership/2018/sep/29/cambridge-analytica-cadwalladr-observer-facebook-zuckerberg-wylie 

Nagle, A. (2017). Kill all normies online culture wars from 4chan and Tumblr to trump and the   alt-right. Zero Books.

Vese, D. (2022). Governing Fake News: The Regulation of Social Media and the Right to Freedom of Expression in the Era of Emergency. European Journal of Risk Regulation, 13(3), 477–513. https://doi.org/10.1017/err.2021.48