Digital Censorship and Its Impact on Society
- Vardui Chtrkyan
- Nov 8
- 2 min read
By: Syuzanna Zakaryan
In modern society, digital information is one of the most powerful resources, yet in many countries it is highly controlled. Many governments and private organizations have implemented online censorship measures that limit access to certain types of content. Digital censorship is a major topic due to its impact on society, most commonly seen in the restriction of information and shaping public opinion.
Digital censorship can be different. According to Vigderman (2024), some governments block entire websites, restrict access to foreign news, or filter certain keywords so that controversial topics simply disappear from the search results. This is unethical, especially when it comes to the laws of the United States. For instance, according to the First Amendment of the United States of America, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (Library of Congress, n.d.). Recently, journalists who were covering the Pentagon refused to sign new Defense Department rules that required them to avoid seeking information not officially approved for release. These new guidelines wanted to restrict journalists from publishing or even investigating stories that the Pentagon had not pre-authorized. The reporters argued that it violated First Amendment protections because limiting what journalists could ask or publish, the government censored crucial information before it reaches the public (Bennett, 2025).
Additionally, in the United States, there have been concerns about online censorship, which initiated a national debate. While the government claims to be protecting the citizens from harmful content or misinformation in order to justify their actions, it can also be used to hide criticism and control public opinion. In China, the Great Firewall filters political discussion and foreign media, which takes away the natural rights of its citizens and can lead to propaganda. A presidential order that was published in the Federal Register warned that major social media platforms hold too much power over public conversation. When these platforms label or remove posts, they control what Americans see and ultimately believe, which creates an uneven digital public square.
Thus, digital censorship not only limits access to websites or certain topics on social media, it also shapes how individuals understand the world, especially controversial or political topics. Protecting natural rights that consist of internet freedom means more than avoiding blocked sites because it means preserving the fundamental right to free speech without fear of being silenced.
Works Cited
Bennett, G., & Sagalyn, D. (2025, October 14). Why news organizations are rejecting the Pentagon’s New Press Rules. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-news-organizations-are-rejecting-the-pentagons-new-press-rules
Federal Register :: Request Access. (n.d.). https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/02/2020-12030/preventing-online-censorship
U.S. Constitution - First Amendment | Resources | Constitution Annotated | congress.gov | Library of Congress. (n.d.). https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/
Vigderman, A. (2024, August 22). Internet censorship in 2025: The impact of internet restrictions. Security.org. https://www.security.org/vpn/internet-censorship/
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