self-censorship

British  

noun

1. the regulation of a group's actions and statements by its own members rather than an external agency

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-censorship

“In the end that sacred project actually tends to produce sectarian narrowness, exclusion, uniformity, silencing, self-censorship, lack of debate, the negative sanctioning of nonconformists, and the debilitation of rigorous thought.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

When such state threats are systematized, they can foment a broader climate of fear, self-censorship and conformity.

From Salon ● May 28, 2026

"The biggest impact is really the pervasiveness of self-censorship and the sense that if you write the wrong thing... that might land you in jail," Cheng said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026

Journalists from other outlets who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity said that a culture of self-censorship was now common in newsrooms.

From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2026

Therefore, most artists and intellectuals exercise self-censorship rather than risk punishment, even if such censorship involves compromising principles and artistic standards.

From Area Handbook for Romania by Donald W. Bernier