The hottest Censorship Substack posts right now

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

In Sanctioning Amy Wax, Penn Targets Truth

Heterodox STEM • 234 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social justice Higher education Censorship
  1. There's a clash in universities between those who believe in objective truth and those who focus on social justice. This disagreement is affecting how knowledge is produced and shared.
  2. Universities are increasingly favoring identity-based policies over merit in admissions and hiring. This means some qualified candidates may be overlooked because of their race or background.
  3. The case of Amy Wax highlights the tensions of this debate. She faced sanctions for her views while other controversial opinions on campus seem to be ignored.

Tweeting the poop emoji at a cabinet minister, quoting politicians inexactly, calling a Green fat & stupid – all of this is criminal speech in the freest and most democratic Germany of all time

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 225 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech Censorship Civil Rights Freedom of Expression Political Satire
  1. In Germany, some people are being charged for their online comments, like using a poop emoji or making jokes about politicians. This has raised concerns about free speech.
  2. Green Party politicians have been active in filing complaints against critics on social media. This includes actions like having someone's house searched over an insult.
  3. Many of these prosecutions seem unfair and silly, making it harder for average citizens to express their opinions. Critics argue that this is more about controlling speech than protecting it.

sudden outbreaks of bad cattitudes?

bad cattitude • 248 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Critique Election Integrity Political Commentary Censorship Public Opinion
  1. There seems to be a sudden shift in how some well-known figures express their opinions, almost like they're switching sides in a game. People are questioning if these changes are genuine or just for show.
  2. Many traditional media outlets are losing their credibility, and more people are turning to alternative sources for news. This trend can lead to misinformation spreading quickly.
  3. The ongoing battle between old media practices and new online platforms reflects a bigger issue about censorship and freedom of speech. As things change, it looks like people are eager for different voices to be heard.

Israel’s War on Journalism

The Chris Hedges Report • 282 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Foreign Policy Journalism Ethics Human Rights
  1. Journalists in Gaza face extreme danger, with many being targeted and killed. This has led to a significant decline in press freedom in the region.
  2. Foreign reporters in Israel are often controlled by the military and may not report the true situation on the ground in Gaza. This creates a misleading narrative around the conflict.
  3. The actions of the Israeli government against journalists threaten global press freedom. It sends a message that those revealing the truth about war can be silenced or harmed.
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NYU Professor Tells Students of Hamas Atrocities: ‘We Know It’s Not True’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2351 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. U.S. troops are facing attacks from groups backed by Iran, showing a disconnect between official statements and the reality on the ground, leading to responses like airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed militias.
  2. Investigation shows bias in school libraries with a focus on progressive books, prompting debate on offering a balanced selection that includes different political perspectives.
  3. Antisemitism is on the rise, highlighted by instances like a NYU professor praising Hamas, emphasizing the importance of education and remembrance to combat Holocaust denial and distortion.

UPDATE: Missouri v. Biden, Part 3, by Tracy Beanz

Human Flourishing • 1985 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Censorship Government Media Social media
  1. In Missouri v. Biden case, the judge referenced Orwell's 1984, highlighting similarities to current censorship issues.
  2. The White House pressured social media companies to remove content, including that of vaccine-injured individuals sharing their stories.
  3. Social media companies complied with government demands for censorship, impacting discussions on personal rights and mistrust in institutions.

Biden Administration Implicated In Brazilian Court’s Attack On Congressman Fighting Censorship And Corruption

Michael Shellenberger • 923 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Corruption Censorship Political Power Legal issues
  1. A Brazilian congressman named Marcel Van Hattem is facing an investigation for speaking out against censorship and corruption. This marks a worrying trend of increased government control over free speech in Brazil.
  2. Van Hattem is well-known for exposing government corruption and has gathered a significant following on social media. His popularity highlights the public's desire for transparency and free expression.
  3. The investigation against Van Hattem challenges the tradition of protecting congressional speech in Brazil. Legal experts have raised concerns, suggesting this move could backlash against the government and strengthen demands for accountability.

I understand why people ban books

Men Yell at Me • 878 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
📚 Literature Book Bans Censorship Education Child development
  1. People often ban books to control what kids learn, thinking they protect them, but this can actually harm children's understanding of the world.
  2. Growing up in a restricted environment made some believe their curiosity was wrong, which changed when they discovered the wide range of knowledge available in books.
  3. Knowledge is powerful and can change lives, helping people understand their identities and experiences, which is why some fear it and try to limit access to certain books.

New York Times journalist rage quits Substack over inability to censor everything he deems 'hate speech' and 'extremism'

The Dossier • 2214 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Media Free speech First Amendment Ideology
  1. A New York Times journalist quit Substack because he couldn't censor what he considered 'hate speech' and 'extremism'.
  2. Substack stayed true to its mission by refusing to engage in censorship, even under pressure from major publications.
  3. The situation highlights the importance of free speech and the dangers of censorship in shaping narratives and promoting government control.

"X" Has Become a Hate Machine

Unpopular Front • 106 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Hate Speech Political Commentary Censorship Public Discourse
  1. The platform 'X' has shifted to allowing more hate-filled content, where racist and misogynistic posts are becoming common. This reflects a change in how moderation practices are handled.
  2. People are noticing an increase in harmful content in their feeds, suggesting that the platform's algorithm is promoting these negative messages as normal. This could influence users' attitudes and behaviors.
  3. There's frustration with the idea that social media, especially 'X', is being used to push a specific political agenda. Some users feel trapped between platforms that either promote hate or are overly liberal.

Biden’s Legacy: Covid Persecution, Censorship, and Across-the-Board Oppression

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 33 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Civil Rights Censorship
  1. Biden's presidency has faced criticism for increasing censorship and limiting freedom of speech. Instead of protecting democratic values, many believe he's used government power to suppress dissent.
  2. There are concerns about the unequal application of the law, with claims that Biden and his allies evade consequences while political opponents face serious legal challenges. This creates a sense of unfairness in how justice is applied.
  3. The Biden administration is accused of expanding its authority beyond reasonable limits, such as implementing strict vaccine mandates and surveillance practices. Critics feel this overreach undermines personal freedoms and individual rights.

German Economics Minister renews calls for widespread internet censorship, claims that an "axis of autocrats" is using domestic "populists" to poison democratic discourse via social media algorithms

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 196 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech Censorship Election Impact Social media
  1. German Economics Minister Robert Habeck wants to regulate the internet to protect democracy. He believes social media is being used by 'autocrats' to spread misinformation.
  2. Habeck feels that growing nationalism and populism threaten liberal democracies. He says these issues need urgent attention to avoid further division in society.
  3. He views algorithms on platforms like TikTok and X as tools undermining public discourse. Therefore, he pushes for greater control over these platforms to ensure freedom of expression is not manipulated.

Major Social Media Clampdowns Coming

DARK FUTURA • 1533 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌍 World Politics Censorship Government Influence Internet Regulations Propaganda Information Control
  1. Major social media clampdowns are expected due to recent events sparking increased monitoring by the Pentagon.
  2. Global governments are tightening control over social media and the internet under the guise of anti-disinformation campaigns, limiting free speech.
  3. There is a close fusion between big tech, social media, and intelligence agencies, raising concerns about who truly controls information policies.

How Much Dissent is Optimal?

In My Tribe • 744 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Dissent Censorship Social media
  1. Dissent is important because it helps to challenge wrong opinions and beliefs. If everyone only agrees with the mainstream view, mistakes can go uncorrected.
  2. Censorship can lower morale and create a negative work or social environment. People should feel free to express concerns without fear of punishment.
  3. Policing dissent is risky because those in power might misuse it to silence voices that challenge their ideas. It's better to allow open discussion, even if some views are unpopular.

New: Shocking From Taibbi

FOIA Around And Find Out • 1493 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Censorship Information Warfare
  1. Some Twitter accounts were banned without a clear explanation, leading to suspicion of being flagged for political reasons.
  2. State Department officials requested Twitter to remove accounts based on claims of being Russian-controlled, without concrete evidence.
  3. The situation raises concerns about information warfare and the targeting of accounts for sharing content related to Russiagate or Hunter Biden.

inviting you to break the law

bad cattitude • 213 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Government Control Social media Legal issues Censorship
  1. The government can sometimes tempt people to break the law and then punish them for it. This is called entrapment, and it happens online as well.
  2. Social media companies are pressured to censor certain speech, which blurs the line between being a carrier of information and an editor. This can lead to them losing legal protections.
  3. Censoring some views in favor of others stifles free speech. The answer to harmful speech isn't to silence it, but to allow more open discussion.

German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck calls for a comprehensive internet censorship programme to stop people disagreeing with him

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 228 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Democracy Media Polarization Governance
  1. Robert Habeck wants to regulate social media more to make it safer for democracy. He believes that people shouldn't be able to say anything they want online.
  2. He is worried about the influence of social media algorithms and wants more transparency in how they work. He argues that powerful figures shouldn't control the online conversation.
  3. Habeck thinks that differing opinions can destabilize society and that the government should take action to manage these views. This is part of a larger concern about polarization in politics.

Legacy Media is an Antiquated, Obsolete Relic

DARK FUTURA • 1395 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
📰 News Media Censorship Journalism Narrative Propaganda
  1. Legacy media is becoming outdated and irrelevant in the face of democratized citizen journalism.
  2. The internet has revolutionized news delivery, allowing direct access to information and challenging traditional media sources.
  3. Legacy media is resorting to censorship and biased reporting to maintain control over the narrative as their power diminishes.

The Counter-Disinformation Industry Promotes Left-wing Groupthink, Not Truth

Journal of Free Black Thought • 56 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation Media Criticism Political Bias Censorship Public Trust
  1. The counter-disinformation industry mainly promotes left-wing ideas instead of truth. This means they often dismiss or ignore viewpoints that don't align with their beliefs.
  2. Many people in this industry don't believe in objective truth, which makes it hard for them to identify misinformation properly. Their focus on agreement among like-minded people leads to groupthink.
  3. To avoid misinformation, it's important for people to seek diverse perspectives and think critically about the information they encounter. Engaging with a variety of views helps to better understand complex issues.

~75% of Psychology Claims are False

Unsafe Science • 161 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🔬 Science Psychology Research Methods Replication Crisis Censorship
  1. A lot of psychology studies are not reliable, with about 75% of their claims likely being false. So, it's best to be skeptical of what you read in this field.
  2. Many published psychology findings are difficult to reproduce. This means that even though a study shows something, there's a good chance it might not be true when tried again.
  3. Censorship and ignoring opposing evidence can lead to more misinformation in psychology. Some studies get more attention even when their findings are wrong or contested.

Why is this Michael Keaton thriller Censored on Amazon?

Textual Variations • 165 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Film Censorship Streaming Media Entertainment
  1. The movie 'Pacific Heights' has a censored version on Amazon that blurs nudity and mutes swear words. This makes it feel funny and odd, affecting the film's serious tone.
  2. It's unclear who decided to censor the film, but it likely wasn't Amazon itself. The owners may have done it to attract more viewers or advertisers.
  3. With more streaming platforms introducing ads, there are concerns that censorship could become more common. People expect to see the full version of films and should be informed if it's edited.

Josh and Leslie Elliott on "The Radical Center"

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Social Issues Censorship Identity politics
  1. Leslie Elliott was training to be a psychotherapist but got cancelled for her views on therapy that didn't align with woke beliefs.
  2. The discussion will be about the concept of the 'Radical Center', which suggests finding common ground amidst extreme viewpoints.
  3. People interested in the topic can watch the premiere online at the specified time to learn more about these ideas.

Breaking: Chris Rufo calls for tighter censorship on X

Karlstack • 505 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Censorship Online Platforms Right-wing Politics Media influence
  1. Chris Rufo believes that there should be more censorship on the social media platform X. He thinks that recent relaxed censorship has allowed harmful ideas to spread more easily.
  2. He points out that anti-Semitic views are becoming more common on the platform, which he finds concerning.
  3. Rufo argues that there needs to be increased oversight to ensure healthier discussions and limit the spread of conspiracy theories.

Creepy government-funded 'anti-hate' organisation run by a weird Egyptian man becomes Germany's first official internet censor under the Digital Services Act

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 200 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Free speech Social Issues Government Regulation
  1. Germany has introduced a new system where selected individuals, called Trusted Flaggers, will report online content they consider harmful, including hate speech and fake news. This means that some people will have the official power to censor what goes online.
  2. The Trusted Flaggers must apply and show they are qualified to flag illegal content. This process allows almost anyone with the right intent to report content without complicated red tape.
  3. One of the first organizations operating as a Trusted Flagger is REspect!, led by Ahmed Haykel Gaafar, who has a background in studying online hate. They plan to not only report illegal content but also push for changes in laws around speech.

Israel’s War on the Foreign Press (w/ Jeremy Loffredo) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 103 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship International relations Human Rights Press freedom
  1. Journalists face serious risks when reporting on sensitive topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including censorship and detention. Many are afraid to share their experiences due to potential repercussions.
  2. There's a significant level of harsh rhetoric and actions from some Israelis against Palestinians, which reflects a broader aggressive attitude. This rhetoric often goes hand-in-hand with verbal and physical attacks against those advocating for Palestinian rights.
  3. The treatment of journalists and activists in Israel shows a strong divide in how dissent is handled, with severe consequences for those who speak out. This creates an environment where people are discouraged from sharing their truths out of fear of retaliation.

Sunday Strip: The End of an Error

Who is Robert Malone • 38 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Censorship Deep State Political Analysis
  1. There is concern about the influence of deep state organizations and administrative systems on government decisions. Many believe this conflicts with what the public wants.
  2. The past presidency of Donald Trump faced challenges from these deep state forces, and some doubt whether he can succeed in addressing them if he is elected again.
  3. There are fears that censorship is growing in collaboration between governments, especially in the EU and the US, and that it poses a risk to public freedom.

Free Speech Is Truly Under Assault

Points And Figures • 932 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Government Elections Censorship Free speech
  1. Free speech is facing significant challenges, especially with the way information is being controlled and manipulated by various entities.
  2. There is a growing concern about government interference in elections and the use of agencies to suppress opposing viewpoints.
  3. Calls have been made to disband certain government agencies, overhaul the system, and start over in order to address the issues around free speech and manipulation of information.

a Based and Brave reply to Chris Rufo

Karlstack • 390 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Identity politics Foreign Relations Political Discourse Censorship
  1. Some people believe there's a serious issue in American politics, especially regarding foreign influence and how it conflicts with the country's interests.
  2. There's a conversation about how identity politics can shape responses to conflicts, but this can ignore the real suffering of people on the ground.
  3. Criticism of certain narratives can lead to consequences for individuals, showing a tension between free speech and the protection of specific communities.