Ayala Panievsky

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The New Censorship

'Essential' - Alan Rusbridger
'Riveting' - Arash Azizi, The Atlantic
'Exceptional' - Michael Hauser-Tov, Haaretz
'Profound, compelling, and fascinating' - Emily Maitlis, The News Agents
'A must-read' - Jane Martinson, Guardian

Truth is under threat, and with it, our democracy. All over the world, populist leaders are relentlessly undermining truth and fact, using their power to spread disinformation and incite violence. To fight this oncoming tide, brave journalism is needed more than ever and we must do all we can to protect it.

In The New Censorship esteemed academic and former journalist Ayala Panievsky reveals the ways in which, under populist leaders like Trump, Farage and Netanyahu, methods of censorship have evolved into something even more sinister than before. Instead of banning stories, they spread flows of disinformation. Instead of silencing, they shout louder. Instead of blue-pencilling, they employ fake users, bots, and outrageous smear campaigns to dominate the conversation. And, more tragically still, under these external pressures journalists have even begun censoring themselves.

But all is not yet lost. Based on cutting-edge research, personal experience in newsrooms and a decade of living under populism in power, Panievsky not only explains what is happening but lays out what we can - and must - do to fight back.