The term “Censorship Industrial Complex” refers to a network of ideologically-aligned governmental, non-governmental, and academic institutions that use censorship to protect their own interests against the risks of the democratic process. It is seen as an effort to silence online voices, control public opinion, and promote an authoritarian view of the world. The complex is believed to be run by government agencies, social media giants, and various outside groups. It is also associated with the manipulation of information under the guise of fact-checking and the discrediting of valid hypotheses as conspiracy theories. Some sources liken it to the military-industrial complex, highlighting its potential threat to liberties and democracy. The term is often used in a critical context to highlight concerns about the impact of censorship on free speech and democratic processes.
How does the censorship industrial complex affect free speech?
The Censorship Industrial Complex is believed to affect free speech by silencing online voices, controlling public opinion, and promoting an authoritarian view of the world, where individual liberties are subordinated to societal groupthink[2]. It is associated with large-scale coordinated efforts by government actors, social media companies, universities, and NGOs to monitor citizens and suppress their voices[6]. This complex is seen as a threat to democracy, as attacks on free speech have historically weakened other core democratic structures[6]. The term is often used in a critical context to highlight concerns about the impact of censorship on free speech and democratic processes[7].
The term “Censorship Industrial Complex” is not a widely recognized concept or established term. However, it could be used to describe the collusion or interconnectedness between different entities involved in the practice of censorship. The phrase “Censorship Industrial Complex” seems to draw inspiration from the concept of the “Military-Industrial Complex,” which refers to the relationship between the military, defense contractors, and policy-makers in the context of defense spending and national security.
There is no Official Censorship Industrial Complex
The “Censorship Industrial Complex” name might suggest a potential collaboration or interdependence between government bodies, regulatory agencies, technology companies, media organizations, and other stakeholders involved in implementing, enabling, or advocating for censorship practices. This hypothetical complex could encompass institutions and actors involved in shaping and controlling the flow of information, establishing content regulations, monitoring online platforms, or developing censorship technologies.
It is important to mention that this term is not an established term in academic or official circles and could be used as a rhetorical device to highlight perceived issues related to censorship practices in different contexts.
Citations:
[1] https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/shellenberger-testimony.pdf
[2] https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/digital-bridge/the-horsemen-of-the-censorship-industrial-complex/
[3] https://censorshipindustrialcomplex.org
[4] https://www.nas.org/blogs/article/curtailing-the-censorship-industrial-complex
[5] https://highlandcountypress.com/docs-offer-glimpse-inside-censorship-industrial-complex
[6] https://www.racket.news/p/dismantle-the-censorship-industrial
[7] https://highlandcountypress.com/docs-offer-glimpse-inside-censorship-industrial-complex
