- An open letter to Google: Stop the censorship of the Internet! Stop the political blacklisting of the World Socialist Web Site! (25 August 2017)
- The bicentenary of Marx’s birth, socialism and the resurgence of the international class struggle (3 January 2018)
- The Place of the October Revolution in World History and Contemporary Politics (13 November 2017)
- Palace coup or class struggle: The political crisis in Washington and the strategy of the working class (13 June 2017)
- A Quarter Century of War: The US Drive for Global Hegemony 1990–2016 (11 July 2016)
- Socialism and the Fight Against War (10 February 2016)
Internet Censorship
The US government, in collaboration with social media companies, is implementing massive restrictions on Internet access. Capitalist governments in Europe and throughout the world are enacting similar repressive policies.
In late April 2017, Google announced the implementation of new algorithms aimed at limiting or blocking access to the WSWS and other left wing, anti-war and progressive websites. Similar measures to deny Internet users access to revolutionary socialist and oppositional information and commentary have been implemented by Facebook and Twitter.
The World Socialist Web Site has taken the lead in exposing this conspiracy to censor the Internet and issued a call for the formation of an International Coalition of Socialist, Anti-War and Progressive Websites to fight back against this attack on freedom of speech and basic democratic rights.
Technology giants hold censorship meeting with US intelligence agencies
By Will Morrow, 27 June 2018
The Washington Post described the meeting as a “new overture by the technology industry to develop closer ties to law enforcement.”
Three months on: Oxford Union refuses to tell truth about why whistleblowing panel debate is censored
By Zach Reed, 26 June 2018
The only explanation for deciding not to publish the video is that ex-CIA operative David Shedd demanded its suppression.
After six years confinement: WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange in great danger
By Mike Head, 21 June 2018
Assange’s lawyer Jennifer Robinson said yesterday his situation is “very difficult” and Ecuador was “under significant pressure from the US” to force him to leave its London embassy.
Assange is being punished for exposing state secrecy and the reality of war
By Linda Tenenbaum, 21 June 2018
SEP national committee member Linda Tenenbaum told the Sydney rally that the event was to initiate an international movement in defence of Assange and basic democratic rights.
The persecution of Assange is an attempt to silence mass anti-war sentiment
By Evrim Yazgin, 21 June 2018
Evrim Yazgin, International Youth and Students for Social Equality president at the University of Melbourne, explained how Assange’s struggle for the truth had politicised a generation of young people.
Educators internationally must stand up for Julian Assange
By Sue Phillips, 21 June 2018
Committee For Public Education national convenor Sue Phillips told the Sydney rally that the defence of Assange is intimately connected to the fight for the democratic and social rights of students, educators and the working class.
Workers at SEP rally in Sydney demand freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 21 June 2018
“Julian fights for peace and defends democratic rights.”
Protesters at Ecuador embassy vigil in London demand freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 21 June 2018
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to some of those attending Tuesday evening’s vigil in London for WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange.
The Turnbull government must act to repatriate Australian citizen Julian Assange to Australia
By James Cogan, 19 June 2018
This speech was delivered by James Cogan, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Australia, to a rally organised by the SEP in defence of Julian Assange last Sunday in Sydney.
Bringing Julian Assange Home
By John Pilger, 19 June 2018
Addressing last Sunday's SEP rally in Sydney, well-known filmmaker and documentarian, John Pilger exposed the role of Labor and Coalition governments, along with prominent journalists and editors in the ongoing persecution of Julian Assange.
More voices from the Sydney rally to free Julian Assange
By our reporters, 19 June 2018
“Freedom of thought and expression is what this kind of rally brings. They’re trying to make an example out of Assange to silence all of us.”
UK residents demand release of Julian Assange, support international vigils
By our reporters, 19 June 2018
Leading up to today’s vigil at the Ecuador Embassy in London, the SEP in Britain has been contacted with messages of support, demanding freedom for WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange.
“The media and government want to keep us silent.”
Students and workers in Iowa demand freedom for Julian Assange
By Marcus Day and George Marlowe, 19 June 2018
There is widespread support for Assange and the role he has played in exposing the crimes of American imperialism.
SEP (UK) meetings on war and censorship: “War preparations are powered by lies”
By Julie Hyland, 18 June 2018
Socialist Equality Party (UK) Assistant National Secretary Julie Hyland addressed recent public meetings in England, Scotland and Ireland titled “War, lies and censorship: For the building of a socialist anti-war movement.”
Court sanction of AT&T-Time Warner merger strengthens corporate grip on news and entertainment
By Barry Grey, 13 June 2018
Coming just one day after the termination of net neutrality, the federal court ruling sets the stage for the further consolidation of monopoly control and suppression of oppositional points of view.
University of Michigan Center for Social Media Responsibility provides cover for Internet censorship campaign
By Sam Wayne and Genevieve Leigh, 13 June 2018
The new program has been established to provide the theoretical backing and material resources needed to further the ongoing efforts to censor the Internet.
The end of net neutrality: The US ruling elite escalates campaign of internet censorship
By Andre Damon, 12 June 2018
The move marks a major milestone in the efforts of the US intelligence agencies, technology monopolies, and both political parties to undermine free speech.
Demands grow that Australian government act to free Julian Assange
By Mike Head, 12 June 2018
Assange’s lawyer Jennifer Robinson insisted that the Turnbull government can and must intervene on behalf of the WikiLeaks editor.
Australian public high school teachers support campaign to free Julian Assange
By our reporters, 12 June 2018
Socialist Equality Party member Will Marshall moved a resolution in defence of Assange at Footscray City College.
Australian workers and youth back June 17 Sydney rally in defence of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 12 June 2018
“Assange is a symbol of freedom of speech and justice for ordinary people. It is critical that we free him.”
The pseudo-left stabs Assange in the back
By Andre Damon, 11 June 2018
Despite initially voicing opposition to the attack on Assange, the entire gamut of the middle-class “left” has either ignored, downplayed or supported Assange’s persecution.
Press conference to be held in Sydney ahead of rallies in defence of Assange
By our reporters, 11 June 2018
Canberra must meet its obligations to protect Julian Assange, as it did for Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste.
Australian government has obligation to protect Julian Assange
By Richard Hoffman, 11 June 2018
The Turnbull government must exercise its discretion to request from Britain the safe passage of Julian Assange to Australia.
Sheila Coombes, Professor Tim Hayward and journalist Vanessa Beeley demand freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 11 June 2018
Three prominent individuals associated with the Media on Trial group have sent statements to the World Socialist Web Site supporting the campaign to free Julian Assange.
Australian officials visit Julian Assange as campaign to free him expands
By James Cogan, 9 June 2018
The meeting occurred within the context of a growing international campaign to defend the WikiLeaks’ editor.
Professor Stuart Rees, former director of the Sydney Peace Foundation, calls for Assange’s liberty
9 June 2018
“Julian Assange has worked tirelessly to support free speech and to expose abuses of power by governments.”
Anti-“fake news” bill gives French state unchecked Internet censorship powers
By Alex Lantier, 8 June 2018
Judges will be allowed to force service providers to take down material posted on the Internet simply by asserting that they believe it to be “fake news.”
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges endorses June 17 Sydney demonstration in defense of Julian Assange
8 June 2018
Assange’s “defense is the cutting edge of the fight against government suppression of the most fundamental democratic rights,” said Hedges.
US activist Kevin Zeese calls for demonstrations against the persecution of Julian Assange
6 June 2018
“Freedom of speech and freedom of the press is being defined by the treatment of Julian Assange.”
Facebook security officer: Not all speech is “created equal”
By Andre Damon, 5 June 2018
Facebook’s censorship apparatus is targeting people promoting “radical politics” because they “feel they have been ignored or oppressed,” the Facebook official told a military conference last week.
Ecuadorian foreign minister asserts treatment of Assange is “not censorship”
By James Cogan, 5 June 2018
Assange is not only being censored, but faces imminent danger of being forced into the hands of his persecutors.
Facebook expands censorship of news organizations with restrictions on political ads
By Marcus Day, 4 June 2018
Facebook’s new restrictions on political ads have begun to affect news and media organizations, including the World Socialist Web Site.
Papua New Guinea government plans to block access to Facebook
By John Braddock, 4 June 2018
The threatened month-long ban is part of a shift toward more authoritarian forms of rule, aimed at suppressing opposition to austerity measures and official corruption.
Singer-songwriter Roger Waters calls for defence of Assange
By our reporters, 4 June 2018
Waters emailed the World Socialist Web Site last month to convey his support for international action to defend Julian Assange.
YouTube removes “drill” music videos at request of London’s Metropolitan Police
By Robert Stevens, 1 June 2018
On the basis of a few isolated cases, an entire musical genre is being targeted on the basis that it is responsible for what is described as a “surge” in knife crime in London.
Facebook blocks ads in midst of US primary elections
By David Moore—SEP candidate for Senate in California, 1 June 2018
As part of the campaign against “Russian influence,” Facebook implemented new advertising rules that heavily favor established candidates.
“Government propaganda and the war on terror from 9/11 to Syria”
Journalists and academics expose UK’s criminal actions in the Middle East
By Julie Hyland, 31 May 2018
Despite media smears and government censorship, Media on Trial held an important and successful event exposing the connection between press propaganda and government warmongering.
Break the silence on the danger facing Julian Assange
By James Cogan, 31 May 2018
A profound shift has taken place among a layer that previously postured as “liberal,” “left” and even “socialist.”
“The government is after him because he’s telling the truth”
Detroit autoworkers call for Julian Assange’s freedom
By Will Morrow, 31 May 2018
Workers opposed the persecution of Assange and the broader drive to silence political dissent and censor the Internet.
Amazon, Microsoft and Google compete for Pentagon Cloud warfighter project
By Will Morrow, 30 May 2018
The technology giant that secures the contract will administer the US military’s global operations.
Oxford Union panel speaker Heather Marsh confirms debate was censored to protect CIA
By Zach Reed, 30 May 2018
It appears that reference to the CIA as an “organized crime syndicate,” and listing a portion of its crimes, were grounds for censorship.
Demand freedom for Julian Assange! Join the demonstration in Sydney on June 17!
By James Cogan, 29 May 2018
Assange’s situation stems directly from the Australian government’s refusal to protect one of its citizens.
John Pilger endorses June 17 Sydney demonstration in defence of Julian Assange
29 May 2018
“Julian is a courageous editor persecuted for exercising a right enshrined in the United States Constitution.”
Mark Zuckerberg testifies in Brussels as European Union and Facebook intensify internet censorship
By Johannes Stern, 25 May 2018
Under the guise of fighting “fake news” and Russian interference in elections, Facebook is carrying out a vast programme of internet censorship
A curious incident involving the Oxford Union’s Whistleblowing Panel
By Zach Reed, 25 May 2018
According to an anonymous submission to the World Socialist Web Site, a “Whistleblowing Panel” event at the Oxford Union has been censored, with no account of the meeting made available and no transcripts or a video published of it as is standard.
Oppose Google’s collaboration in US war crimes!
By David Moore—SEP Candidate for Senate in California, 25 May 2018
The collaboration of tech firms like Google with the US military and intelligence agencies poses a direct threat to democracy around the world.
German Green Party leader Joschka Fischer promotes militarism and war
By Johannes Stern, 24 May 2018
Fischer is leading the campaign for a massive increase in the German defence budget and an aggressive imperialist foreign policy.
Google, drone murder and the military-intelligence-censorship complex
By Andre Damon, 19 May 2018
The publication of this week’s open letter by leading technology academics protesting Google’s role in drone murder exposes the partnership between the major technology giants and the US military/intelligence complex.
Music streaming service Spotify initiates censorship against R. Kelly and XXXTentacion
By Zac Corrigan, 19 May 2018
Spotify inaugurated its “Hate Content & Hateful Conduct” policy by censoring the two singers based on allegations of “sexual violence.” Competitors Apple Music and Pandora Radio followed suit.
Academics protest Google’s role in drone murder
By Andre Damon, 18 May 2018
Three prominent technology scholars have published an open letter, which has now received over 900 signatures, condemning Google’s collaboration with the Pentagon’s illegal “targeted killing” program.
Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung fuels the campaign against Julian Assange
By Peter Schwarz, 18 May 2018
The German daily has joined the campaign to justify handing over the WikiLeaks founder to British and American authorities.
UK meetings against war, lies and censorship: Free Julian Assange!
18 May 2018
The Socialist Equality Party (UK) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality are holding a series of meetings titled: War, lies and censorship—Free Julian Assange!
Spain: Facebook to install its “Ministry of Truth” in Barcelona
By Alejandro López, 14 May 2018
The 500 new employees in Barcelona will join Facebook’s 20,000 censors working for the company’s “security” and “moderation” departments.
Ecuador hints it may hand over Julian Assange to Britain and the US
By James Cogan, 12 May 2018
There is almost universal and reprehensible silence on the part of organisations and individuals that once claimed to defend Assange and WikiLeaks.
Google, Amazon assist in blocking encrypted communications
By Will Morrow, 10 May 2018
Google and Amazon are assisting authoritarian governments in the Middle East aligned with Washington to censor the Internet and prevent the use of encrypted communications by their populations.
Socialism and the struggle against Internet censorship
By Andre Damon, 9 May 2018
The following speech was delivered by Andre Damon, a leader of the Socialist Equality Party in the US.
Facebook censors Arizona educators’ rank-and-file committee group
By Jerry White, 7 May 2018
Facebook has disabled the Arizona Educators Rank and File Committee group, which provided a forum for teachers to oppose the betrayal of their struggles by the unions.
Socialist Equality Party holds meetings in Australia on Internet censorship
By our reporters, 5 May 2018
The meetings reviewed the history of the persecution of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, including the calls by US politicians for his assassination.
Australian workers and youth speak after public meetings
“Julian Assange took an enormously courageous stand”
By our correspondents, 5 May 2018
Participants at the public meetings spoke out against Internet censorship and the persecution of Julian Assange.
US election meddling in the age of the Internet
How Google, Facebook and Twitter are manipulating the Mexican presidential elections—Part 2
By Alex González and Andrea Lobo, 1 May 2018
The US military-intelligence apparatus is integrating the largest technology and Internet companies to tighten the US stranglehold over Latin America.
Arizona Educators United Facebook group censors teachers, WSWS
By Will Morrow, 30 April 2018
The censorship is a clear indication that a sellout by the union and AEU is imminent.
US election meddling in the age of the Internet
How Google, Facebook and Twitter are manipulating the Mexican presidential elections—Part 1
By Alex González and Andrea Lobo, 28 April 2018
The United States is now engaged in advanced efforts to exploit data on every voter in the country, as well as user data from Google and the social media companies, to influence the elections of its southern neighbor.
Facebook codifies its censorship regime
By Andre Damon, 25 April 2018
The social media monopoly made clear that it would not let users know their content is being blocked from distribution as “fake news” because such censorship is a “sensitive issue.”
Workers, students speak out against war, censorship and inequality at Detroit meeting
By Tom Hall, 24 April 2018
The World Socialist Web Site spoke with several of those attending the meeting “War, the Class Struggle and the Fight Against Internet Censorship,” held at Wayne State University on Sunday.
The CIA Democrats vs. Julian Assange
By Patrick Martin, 23 April 2018
The lawsuit filed by the Democratic National Committee is an attack on the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech and the press.
SEP and IYSSE hold meeting on war, the class struggle and the fight against Internet censorship
By our reporter, 23 April 2018
Several workers addressed the conference and expressed the growing opposition among broad layers of the working class to capitalism and the pro-corporate trade unions.
Australian meetings to call for Julian Assange’s freedom
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 20 April 2018
The Australian political and media establishment bears major responsibility for the outrages perpetrated against Julian Assange.
Russian government blocks messaging app Telegram
By Clara Weiss, 17 April 2018
The attack on encrypted communication is part of the international drive by governments to censor the Internet and expand mass surveillance.
Indian Trotskyists hold public meeting in Chennai against Internet censorship
By our correspondents, 16 April 2018
Speakers explained the connection between the attack on free speech, the drive to war and the rising struggles of the working class.
US Department of Homeland Security compiling database of world’s journalists
By Will Morrow, 14 April 2018
The Trump administration is collecting and monitoring the “sentiments” and personal information of journalists and “media influencers” around the world.
Meeting in Brisbane May 20: Organise Resistance to Internet Censorship! Free Julian Assange!
14 April 2018
The silencing of Assange coincides with Washington’s escalation of war in Syria and preparations for confrontation with nuclear-armed Russia.
War, lies and censorship
By Andre Damon, 13 April 2018
The New York Times, Washington Post and other mainstream news outlets function not as journalists, but as propagandists for the US/NATO war drive against Syria.
John Pilger and Julian Burnside denounce silencing of WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange
By Niles Niemuth, 12 April 2018
The WikiLeaks founder and publisher has been cut off from all access to the outside world for more two weeks by the Ecuadorian government under pressure from the United States and its allies.
Facebook CEO presents plans for mass censorship at Senate hearing
By Andre Damon, 11 April 2018
The vast and sweeping dangers to democratic rights posed by Facebook’s censorship measures were universally cheered by all the Democratic Congressmen.
Two weeks since WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange silenced by Ecuador
By Niles Niemuth, 11 April 2018
It is no coincidence that Assange has been shut off from any form of communication with the outside world as the US and its allies prepare for an escalation of war in Syria and beyond.
Facebook intensifies censorship ahead of congressional testimony by Zuckerberg
By Andre Damon, 9 April 2018
Zuckerberg announced Friday that his company will “require people who manage large pages to be verified,” i.e., they must provide the company, and by extension the US government, with their real names and locations.
Capitalism and the artificial intelligence revolution
By Andre Damon, 6 April 2018
Google’s collaboration in the US government’s drone murder program expresses how the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology—with its vast potential for the enrichment of humanity—is being corrupted under capitalism.
Ahead of Mexican elections, social media companies, corporate press launch censorship operation
By Alex González, 5 April 2018
The #Verificado2018 campaign was launched to allegedly protect voters from Russian meddling in the upcoming July 1 general elections.
Google workers demand end to company’s involvement in drone murder
By Andre Damon, 5 April 2018
Over 3,000 Google employees have signed a letter condemning the company’s participation in the criminal operations of the US military and the “business of war.”
Palantir Technologies: A “CIA-backed startup”
By Julie Hyland, 3 April 2018
Palantir’s clients include a disproportionate number of US military, state and intelligence agencies, among them the CIA, NSA, FBI and Homeland Security.
The New York Times takes on the social media “hordes”
By Andre Damon, 3 April 2018
Times columnist Farhad Manjoo demanded in a recent article that the government do something to “fix” social media to keep the online “herd” from voicing their opinions.
April 8, public meeting in Chennai, India
Oppose Internet censorship! Defend freedom of speech!
By the supporters group of the ICFI in India, 3 April 2018
The supporters group of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) in India will hold a public meeting in Chennai on April 8 against Internet censorship.
Journalists, filmmakers, artists demand end to persecution of Julian Assange
2 April 2018
Writers, journalists, artists, film-makers and activists have called on the Government of Ecuador to restore Julian Assange’s right to free speech and end the isolating blockade it has imposed on him in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London.
ICE uses Facebook data to locate and track suspects
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 29 March 2018
A report in the Intercept documents the extensive use of data derived from social media to pursue immigrants.
PayPal blocks sale of WSWS pamphlet
By Will Morrow, 29 March 2018
The company, citing US government policy, has refused to process purchases of Mehring Books’ recently released pamphlet, The Struggle Against Imperialism and for Workers’ Power in Iran.
Ecuador cuts off Julian Assange’s access to the outside world
By Mike Head, 29 March 2018
Julian Assange’s confinement in the Ecuadoran embassy increasingly resembles that of a prisoner.
Amid censorship drive, Facebook CEO to testify before Congress
By Andre Damon, 28 March 2018
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, facing a media onslaught that has wiped out $80 billion from the company’s share value, has acquiesced to demands that he appear before Congress.
US Congress passes FOSTA law attacking internet freedom
By Will Morrow, 28 March 2018
The bill sets a precedent for prosecuting internet platforms based on the content published by users.
The truth about Cambridge Analytica-SCL: Psy-ops by UK-US deep state actors
By Julie Hyland, 26 March 2018
Cambridge Analytica and SCL were not acting as proxies for the Russian state but rather for significant sections of the US/UK military and intelligence apparatus.
Behind the Facebook data scandal: The drive to censor the Internet
By Andre Damon, 23 March 2018
The media, working with the intelligence agencies and leading congressional Democrats, is using the scandal as a cover for a crackdown on political opposition on the world’s largest social network.
"They want you to feel if you speak up you'll be called a traitor or a Russian.”
Detroit autoworkers denounce effort to censor the Internet
By a reporting team, 23 March 2018
Workers at Fiat Chrysler’s Warren Stamping Plant asserted their right to read whatever news sources they wanted without interference by the government and tech giants.
Google sets up “news initiative” to censor political opposition and promote mainstream media
By Andre Damon, 22 March 2018
Google announced its latest censorship initiative as Facebook came under pressure from the media and Congressional Democrats to crack down on political opposition.
The Russians are tweeting! The Russians are tweeting!
By Will Morrow, 22 March 2018
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report claims that demonstrations in Wisconsin in 2016 against a police killing were used by Russian Twitter bots to “stoke flames of racial division.”
Facebook and Sri Lankan government collaborate on social media censorship
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 20 March 2018
The Sri Lankan government is working with the giant social media corporation to establish greater political control of the Internet.
In name of fighting sex trafficking, US Congress set to pass internet censorship law
By Will Morrow, 17 March 2018
The bill will enable the prosecution of online platforms based on content posted by individual users.
New York Times chides Trump for insufficient aggression against Russia
By Bill Van Auken, 17 March 2018
The Times editorial underscore the newspaper’s role as a propaganda organ for leading elements in the US military and intelligence apparatus that are pressing for war.
Public conference in Detroit April 22
The resurgence of class struggle and the fight against Internet censorship
12 March 2018
On Sunday, April 22, the WSWS, Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality are holding a public conference in Detroit, Michigan to mobilize the working class against Internet censorship.
West Virginia, the class struggle and the fight against Internet censorship
By Jerry White, 12 March 2018
The widespread use of social media by the West Virginia teachers and the growth of the class struggle internationally make clear why the US government and Silicon Valley tech giants want to censor the Internet.
Google’s alliance with the military: The ruling class responds to social unrest in America
By Andre Damon, 10 March 2018
Google’s admission that it is aiding and abetting the US military’s illegal assassination program exemplifies the sinister alliance of the technology monopolies with the repressive apparatus of the state.
YouTube threatens to shut down right-wing Infowars channel
By Trévon Austin, 10 March 2018
The move sets a dangerous precedent that will be turned against left-wing news outlets.