Introduction [chapter]

Erik Erlanson, Jon Helgason, Peter Henning, Linnéa Lindsköld
2020 Forbidden Literature: Case studies on censorship  
In liberal democracies around the world, freedom of speech has been a constitutional right for more than two centuries. Nonetheless, this cornerstone of liberal democracy is currently under reconsideration, partly as an effect of the changing media market, the gradual dismantling of traditional newspapers and broadcasting companies, the increased partisanship of news sources, and the widespread dissemination of misleading or biased information by the traditional and social media. At least in
more » ... ory, globalization, the Internet revolution, and other innovations in communication and distribution have enabled cultural freedom and freedom of speech to transcend the confines of the nation-state. As a consequence, however, power over content and access has in several crucial regards shifted to the private sector. Currently, a limited number of private enterprises (providers, companies, and media platforms) exercise global influence over a very large number of users. 1 Additionally, with the rise of social media, moral, political, and social outrage can easily be voiced on a large scale. While both liberals and conservatives vehemently propagate the ideal of cultural freedom alongside other constitutional rights, increased cultural control is nevertheless being discussed and implemented. Several governments in and outside Europe are moving towards a more authoritative regulation of culture, media, and the universities. Due to the content or orientation of their work, authors and other cultural workers also experience increasing public pressure. 2 In other words, various forms of censorship and other mechanisms of control still impact the circulation of texts. forbidden literature 10
doi:10.21525/kriterium.22.a fatcat:axyt2emusvex3n5fnnhjxede6q