The hottest Censorship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

The Internet is Being Deleted (And You Haven’t Noticed)

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1731 implied HN points • 24 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Censorship
  1. A lot of important online material—like videos, photos, and archives that document war crimes, police violence, and activism—is being deleted, so our digital record is disappearing.
  2. Big tech platforms and governments are increasingly censoring content that challenges mainstream or official narratives, making the erasure systematic and widespread.
  3. Right-wing media outlets and influencers often accept bribes or dark money for favorable coverage, which further distorts the information people see online.

The Eerie Calm Before the Storm

Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge • 8393 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Sometimes people feel nervous about discussing certain topics because of new rules and laws. It can feel safer to keep some things private.
  2. During important times, like elections, some writers might decide to share more sensitive content through paid posts. This isn't to force anyone to pay, but to protect their ideas.
  3. It's okay for readers to see a few more paywalled pieces, as it may just be about being cautious rather than a change in the usual routine.

Welcome Back to Substack!

Glenn Greenwald • 8151 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
📰 News Censorship
  1. Returning to Substack to center on long-form independent journalism after a period producing a nightly live show on another platform.
  2. Plans to use Substack’s expanded tools—Notes, video hosting, podcasts, and subscription tiers—to publish short updates, video-first segments, and in-depth reporting.
  3. A strong commitment to defending independent media and free expression while continuing to report on foreign wars, surveillance, the security state, and threats to civil liberties.

The Biden Regime's "Censorship Police" Still Control Twitter/X

Emerald Robinson’s The Right Way • 2817 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Some believe that the Biden administration has ongoing control over social media platforms like Twitter/X, keeping a level of censorship in place.
  2. There seems to be significant involvement from various government agencies in discussions about topics like election fraud on social media.
  3. Recent social media posts gained massive traction, with millions of impressions, highlighting a strong public interest in these controversial topics.

This Is CBS News

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1758 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. CBS News faced criticism for how it handled an interview with an author who made antisemitic comments. Instead of supporting the interviewer, they punished him for not following their editorial line.
  2. There are concerns about CBS's stance on the status of Jerusalem, as employees were told not to refer to it as being in Israel, highlighting a perceived bias in their reporting.
  3. The network has a history of fact-checking certain politicians against their agreements, suggesting a possible agenda in their news coverage.
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Morning Election Insights: Harris, Trump, and Shifting Voter Dynamics

COVID Reason • 257 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Blue-collar voters who used to support Democrats are now leaning towards Trump. This change shows how political loyalties can shift over time.
  2. Harris is facing challenges as her comments may push some voters to consider supporting Trump instead. This indicates that political statements can have big impacts on voter choices.
  3. There's a noticeable trend of Senate Democrats trying to distance themselves from Harris. They are looking to attract former Trump voters, which shows a strategy change as they aim to win in key states.

Dr. Atlas and the Crucible of Open Dialogue

COVID Reason • 495 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Censorship
  1. Government lockdowns during the pandemic didn't work as intended and caused more harm than good, affecting people's mental health and education.
  2. Censorship stifled important discussions and alternative viewpoints, which are essential for scientific progress.
  3. Academic institutions didn't uphold free expression and debate, which is key for critical thinking and finding the truth.

Yes, You Do Have to Tolerate the Intolerant

Yascha Mounk • 4456 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. You need to tolerate different opinions, even those you disagree with. This helps maintain a fair society where ideas can openly clash.
  2. Censoring ideas can lead to more harm than good. It’s better to counter harmful thoughts with discussion and argument instead of shutting them down.
  3. Embracing free speech has historically led to progress. Societies that allow free debate are often less prejudiced over time, showing that open conversation can make a difference.

Oppose Israel's Abuses While You Still Can

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2007 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. It is still legal in Australia to criticize Israel, join pro‑Palestine groups, and attend most pro‑Palestine marches, so people should keep speaking out while those rights remain intact.
  2. New hate‑speech/speech‑suppression laws create a real risk that pro‑Palestine groups could be labeled and banned, chilling activism, so those laws need to be opposed and repealed before they’re abused.
  3. This fight is about defending civil rights and free speech as much as it is about Gaza, so urgent, persistent, and defiant activism is needed to protect those freedoms from lobby efforts that aim to suppress dissent.

Is Germany Previewing America's Speech Future?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 4539 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. German authorities are increasingly policing speech aggressively, using raids, fines, and criminal charges even for satire or criticism.
  2. A large censorship industry of NGOs, academics, contractors, and state bodies is monitoring and scoring content, with hundreds or even thousands of groups and grants shaping what gets flagged or removed.
  3. The overlap of police, private groups, and bureaucracies — plus invasive scanning of communications — creates a whole-of-society censorship model that risks spreading and chilling dissent beyond Europe.

Tim Walz ‘Crowded Theater’ Argument Is Misinformation

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 356 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The 'crowded theater' saying isn't a real Supreme Court test, and it never was used in the case that Tim Walz mentioned. It's a misconception that people often use when talking about free speech.
  2. The Supreme Court case he referred to, Schenck v. United States, was actually about distributing anti-draft leaflets, not yelling fire in a crowded place. So, Walz's argument doesn't really hold up.
  3. Citing the 'crowded theater' idea can be dangerous because it can justify limiting free speech, especially unpopular speech. History shows that suppressing free speech often leads to larger problems.

Perhaps Your Credibility is Somewhat Dimmed by Trying to Panhandle Off of a "Nazi Problem"

Freddie deBoer • 12778 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Trying to fight extremism online with strict rules isn't a good solution. You can't just ban bad ideas; they exist because many people believe in them.
  2. Paid newsletters may not be the answer to fix the media world. Some people are only promoting their subscriptions while claiming to stand against extremism.
  3. Anger over platforms like Substack may be more about nostalgia for the old media days. We need to focus on meaningful ways to improve media instead of just blaming the platform.

The Censorship Industrial Complex's Power Grip in Germany

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 4064 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. Germany has an extensive, mostly government-funded network of organizations and grants that monitor and control online content, involving hundreds of groups and millions in public funding.
  2. Government-certified "trusted flaggers" and funded NGOs actively report and push for removal of speech, sometimes triggering police action or prosecutions for insults or dissenting views.
  3. The combined effect is a chilling atmosphere where many people avoid expressing political opinions and public debate is narrowed, with high-profile firings and raids showing real consequences.

What Covid Policy Did to Doctors Who Refused to Stay Silent

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 48 implied HN points • 14 Mar 26
🏥 Health Politics Censorship
  1. Medicine shifted from open debate to enforced unanimity during the pandemic, with dissent labeled dangerous and scientific discussion suppressed.
  2. Many doctors stayed silent because speaking risked licenses, hospital privileges, funding, and income, which created an illusion of consensus and stifled learning.
  3. Those who spoke faced heavy personal and professional costs, so protecting physicians’ freedom to question and demanding accountability are crucial to safeguard medical integrity and patient care in future crises.

China’s Gaming Rise

ChinaTalk • 385 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Censorship
  1. China’s game industry has moved up the value chain from low-cost mobile and PC titles to globally competitive AAA games. A huge domestic middle class now means developers can succeed without relying on international sales.
  2. Genshin Impact created a live-service, gacha "cash cow" template that drove massive revenue and spawned many similar games. That surge risks saturation and a bubble, which will force studios to diversify genres and monetization.
  3. Steam’s unofficial role in China lets uncensored and imported games reach Chinese players, but nationalist backlash and preemptive self-censorship (as seen with Wuchang) show political pressures still shape storytelling. Despite that, gameplay and mechanics travel globally, making games a strong avenue for cultural influence.

Longing for the Cultural Revolution in China Today

ChinaTalk • 904 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. A new online "Net Left" of young Chinese is romanticizing the Cultural Revolution, and viral esoteric film readings like the Fanghua analysis helped that mood spread rapidly before platforms removed the content.
  2. Economic anxiety—especially among "small-town test-takers" facing high youth unemployment, gig work, and blocked mobility—fuels the movement, reframing failure as a moral badge and blaming "capital" for their plight.
  3. Heavy censorship and a narrowed public sphere pushed dissent into coded Maoist language, memes, and movie allegories, producing an identity-driven, emotion-fueled politics that is hard for authorities to predict or fully suppress.

We're Are All Wall Dancers Now

ChinaTalk • 489 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Censorship
  1. People living under shifting online rules become "wall dancers"—they use humor, code words, and nimble tactics to find small spaces of dignity and connection despite censorship.
  2. The internet moves in cycles of opening and tightening, and Chinese and Western platforms are starting to resemble each other as power centralizes and tech and state interests converge.
  3. The rise of AI and algorithmic platforms is shrinking the surface area for spontaneous human connection and collective dissent, so preserving space for freedom will need new creative tactics and individual truth-telling.

The Bell Finally Tolls for National Propaganda Radio

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 12633 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Public media like NPR and PBS have traditionally provided high-quality, diverse programming for Americans. They offered informative shows that were different from commercial TV.
  2. There are concerns that NPR has become too biased, promoting a certain political agenda. Many feel this undermines its role as a public broadcaster that should serve all citizens.
  3. There's debate about public funding for NPR. Some argue if it relies less on government funds, it could better address its bias and connect with a wider audience.

Pressed by Moms for Liberty, Florida school district adds clothing to illustrations in classic children's books

Popular Information • 12854 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Censorship
  1. Florida school district adds clothing to illustrations in classic children's books due to challenges from Moms for Liberty
  2. Challenges included concerns about nudity and obscenity in books like 'In The Night Kitchen'
  3. Alterations to books in libraries raise questions about censorship and the rights of readers

Brendan Carr Once Defended Free Speech. Now He Is Trump’s Chief Censor.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 306 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Republicans loudly condemned the Biden administration for silencing dissent, but now that they’re in power those First Amendment worries have largely vanished.
  2. Brendan Carr, once a vocal defender of free speech, is now leading efforts to pressure platforms to censor critics under the Trump administration.
  3. During COVID, social platforms suppressed dissenting scientists—blacklisting, banning, and deleting content—which shows how content moderation can stifle alternative viewpoints.

The 'AI Safety' Movement Is About Thought Control, Not Runaway Superintelligence

The Dossier • 129 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Censorship
  1. The 'AI safety' label is being used to build content filters that enforce a progressive political viewpoint, not just to stop dangerous superintelligence.
  2. Doomsayer calls to pause AI research shift the Overton window so heavy moderation and regulation look like reasonable middle-ground policies, and that helps companies lobby for protective rules and reduce competition.
  3. The bigger danger is the slow encoding of a single ideology into AI systems, enabling automated censorship and engineered consensus through quiet changes to training data and safety rules.

SHEIN Muzzles Chinese Media

Pekingnology • 203 implied HN points • 01 Mar 26
💼 Business Censorship
  1. Shein appears to be using platform "infringement" complaints to remove Chinese media coverage of its founder’s public appearance, effectively suppressing independent posts and reports.
  2. The company’s PR approach favors control over communication — deleting any coverage it doesn’t directly authorize and allowing visibility only on its terms.
  3. That tactic raises transparency and accountability concerns for a globally significant, politically exposed company as it seeks regulatory approval and public credibility.

My Statement to Congress

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 23995 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The government should not control media or information. Instead of helping people decide what is true, it can weaken public trust in journalism.
  2. Censorship laws in other countries are becoming stricter, and many American citizens are currently facing repercussions for their speech abroad.
  3. Taxpayer money is being used to promote propaganda instead of real journalism, which can distort the truth and undermine democracy.

In the UK, The Free Press Is Adults Only

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1697 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
📰 News Censorship
  1. The UK’s Online Safety Act, meant to protect children, is being used to block or restrict ordinary news and commentary.
  2. Regulators are interpreting “objectionable” content very broadly, which lets censorship spread beyond clearly harmful material.
  3. These rules end up hurting free speech and public debate by chilling independent thought and the search for truth.

Wikipedia Editors Are Helping Iran Rewrite History

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 704 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. A coordinated campaign is using Wikipedia edits to rewrite and sanitize Iran’s human-rights record and historical events.
  2. This online propaganda runs alongside violent repression and internet blackouts that stop people from documenting and sharing evidence.
  3. Years of pro-regime editing make it harder for outsiders to learn the truth and let the regime shape the international narrative.

Pronoun Pronouncements

Heterodox STEM • 256 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Censorship
  1. The spotlight on third-person pronouns was overblown and often silly; pronouns are mostly functional words, and in direct conversation the important ones are "I" and "you."
  2. The pronoun craze spread partly as a fashion and because institutions found it easy to enforce symbolic rules, but that trend is fading as legal and medical consequences provoke pushback.
  3. Academics were especially quick to adopt and police these norms because it suited their skills and incentives, and too few intellectual dissidents pushed back against the movement.

This Green and Pleasant Land

Disaffected Newsletter • 579 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. In the UK, people are facing legal troubles for what they think and say online. Authorities are treating certain posts as thought crimes, which many find alarming.
  2. There seems to be a growing conflict between men and women, with each side feeling misunderstood and oppressed. Some women feel like men are not facing enough consequences for their actions.
  3. The episode covers various topics including humorous takes on current events and social issues, showcasing a mix of satire and commentary.

Scholastic's "bigot button"

Popular Information • 14151 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Scholastic faces criticism for potentially excluding books featuring people of color and LGBTQ characters from book fairs.
  2. Scholastic claims to segregate books due to pending legislation in U.S. states, risking exclusion for teachers and librarians.
  3. There is a backlash against Scholastic from publishers like Brave Books that promote different values and books for children.

Report: European Censorship Accelerates

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 6208 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The European Commission is stepping up efforts to control online speech with new laws like the Digital Services Act. This means stricter rules about what can be said or shared online.
  2. European authorities are considering ways to regulate content that isn’t necessarily illegal, which could influence what people in other countries, including the U.S., see online.
  3. There’s a growing concern that European censorship practices are becoming more aggressive, targeting even harmless content, like jokes or memes, raising questions about freedom of speech.

Substack sent a push alert promoting a Nazi blog

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 6240 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Substack sent a notification promoting a Nazi-themed newsletter, which alarmed many users. Some people were surprised to see such content on a platform they thought was for regular blogs.
  2. The newsletter in question shared extreme views, including Holocaust denial and racially charged opinions. It aimed to attract those interested in white nationalist ideologies.
  3. Users speculated that the notification might have been a way to gain attention or engagement for Substack, which is partly funded by people linked to far-right views.

None Of This is About Online Safety

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1492 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Laws like the Kids Online Safety Act can take away internet anonymity and empower big tech, ultimately putting children at risk. It's not truly about making the internet safer for kids.
  2. Similar online safety laws in countries like the UK and Sri Lanka have led to censorship and the silencing of marginalized groups, showing a trend that could happen in the U.S.
  3. Censoring content claimed to protect children often hurts more vulnerable communities, and past laws have proven to be a tool for authoritarian control under the guise of safety.

J.D. Vance's Speech in Munich

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13631 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Democracy needs to be more than just a talk; it has to be lived out. Leaders should listen to the concerns of their citizens and ensure their voices are heard.
  2. Censorship and ignoring the opinions of voters can weaken democracy. Allowing free speech and dialogue is important for a strong society.
  3. There's a growing concern over mass migration and its impact on communities. People want their leaders to address their safety and quality of life regarding these issues.

My Search for Hidden Meanings in Beatles Songs

The Honest Broker • 18617 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🎶 Music Censorship
  1. Before the internet, people had to guess or argue about the meanings of popular songs because there was no easy way to find accurate information.
  2. Songs by bands like The Beatles were often seen as puzzles. Listeners searched for hidden meanings because they felt there was something important to uncover.
  3. Today, easy access to explanations can lessen the mystery of music, but that sense of exploration and surprise from trying to understand a song is valuable.

On "Internews"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13541 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. USAID has secretly funded a group called Internews Network with nearly half a billion dollars. This money has helped create a lot of media outreach and training for journalists.
  2. Internews Network has worked with thousands of media outlets and has produced many broadcasts that have reached millions of people.
  3. There are concerns about Internews supporting social media censorship, which raises questions about freedom of speech and information.

Trump is Trolling the AP

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 11641 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The Associated Press claims the White House is telling them how to report, which some see as censorship. This seems ironic since the AP has always had strict rules about language in their articles.
  2. People are discussing how Trump is mocking the AP's situation, pointing out the contradiction in their messages about free speech.
  3. There's a lot of debate about what it means for the government and the media to control language and how it affects honest reporting.

It must be nice to have Washington on our side

Wrong Side of History • 531 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. The United States still protects free speech and openness more strongly than major European powers, and that American attachment to free expression is unusually robust.
  2. European governments — especially in Britain, France and Germany — are increasingly using vague rules about ‘misinformation’, ‘hate’ or ‘extremism’ to curb speech and regulate online platforms.
  3. In Britain specifically, long-standing liberties like jury trials and court transparency are being weakened, which makes oversight harder and narrows public debate on sensitive issues.

The New York Times Comments Section is Hilarious and Depraved

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 12326 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Less censorship on social media could lead to a wider spread of misinformation. Some people are worried about what this means for public discourse.
  2. The New York Times comments section shows a divide among readers on the issue of free speech, with many expressing fear over less content moderation.
  3. Critics of social media platforms often focus on their role in political events, showing how media coverage can shape public opinion about these companies.

Let's Start 2026 with a Bang

The DisInformation Chronicle • 460 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The U.S. State Department announced bans and potential deportations for individuals tied to efforts to censor and suppress American viewpoints, including the leader of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
  2. Leaked internal CCDH documents showed the group’s leadership pursued goals like “killing Musk’s Twitter” and prompting EU/UK regulation, suggesting political aims beyond fighting online hate.
  3. Those revelations generated major media and public attention across the Atlantic, led to a BBC interview, and triggered tangible government and diplomatic consequences.

What's the Right Way to Cover the Trump Presidency?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 11145 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The removal of pages from social media starting in 2018 showed a trend towards censorship that affected small independent media outlets. This was surprising, as many viewed it as a non-issue despite its significant implications.
  2. The response from political figures about censorship indicated a deeper divide within parties, especially among Republicans, highlighting concerns over who decides what's allowed in public discourse.
  3. The recent rebranding of political narratives focused on billionaires suggests a shift in strategy, but it raises doubts about the sincerity of political actions and the motivations behind them.