The UN defines freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, allowing the citizens of the world to be themselves in a plethora of different ways. In an age where information flows freely across borders, state censorship remains a major issue, with governments around the world employing various tactics to control the narrative and limit the dissemination of certain content. This creates challenges for by journalists, activists, and citizens striving for unrestricted access to information. 

One great example of this would be China. China continues to maintain one of the most sophisticated and extensive systems of online censorship. Dubbed the “Great Firewall,” by many cyber security experts, the Chinese government monitors and restricts access to specific websites and platforms, blocking content deemed politically sensitive or threatening to the ruling regime. Social media giants like Facebook and Twitter remain inaccessible, replaced by far superior domestic alternatives such as WeChat, which are subject to strict government oversight. 

Another example would be Russia. Russia has tightened its control over media and online platforms in recent years since it’s unlawful invasion of Ukrainian sovereign territory. Laws restricting freedom of expression and enabling the blocking of websites perceived as harmful to the state have been implemented, often under the guise of preventing discrediting the nation’s military. Independent news outlets and opposition voices are finding themselves increasingly marginalized, as the government exercises greater authority over the flow of news and information such that they can continue to keep their citizens under the false narrative that it is solely a “special military operation”. 

Furthermore, North Korea stands as a prime example of extreme state censorship, with the regime tightly controlling access to information. Citizens have limited access to the global internet, and the state tightly monitors all forms of media, ensuring that only sanctioned narratives reach the population. These often end up being highly comedic, especially some of the narratives surrounding the birth and lives of the nation’s eccentric leaders. 

A little closer to home, we face censorship in our everyday lives, albeit to a lesser degree. Big Tech Firms have come under fire in recent years due to their perceived censorship of free speech on many platforms. The same can be said for large media organisations, with many news outlets performing minor censorship by talking solely about topics beneficial to them and their investors. Thankfully, the 1509 is one platform where we do not face censorship!

Overall, censorship is a pressing issue and it is important to recognise when it is occurring so that one can say truly informed about the real nature of events around the globe.