Academics and Journalists Warn Against Censorship in Westminster Declaration

Since COVID, authoritarians have used "disinformation" claims to censor dissent on topics like masks, vaccines, Ukraine, and Hunter Biden's laptop.

136 diverse academics and journalists signed the "Westminster Declaration" to warn censorship threatens democracy and free speech is the best solution.

The declaration opposes EU, India, Turkey, Germany, Brazil, UK, Australia censorship bills that restrict expression.

It warns US censorship is more subtle, using visibility filters, labels, search manipulation, and silencing opinions.

Signatories say censorship sows mistrust, encourages radicalization, and tech companies should refrain from it.