Factors of Online Self-Censorship during Critical Political Junctures: The Case of Russian Telegram

2025.

Romanov D., Kiryukhov G., Artivua A., Sedashov E.

Social media platforms are vital sources of uncensored information, enabling direct communication between creators and consumers while bypassing traditional gatekeepers. However, they also allow state and non-state actors to monitor users, prompting self-censorship as individuals adjust behavior to avoid negative consequences. Self-censorship reduces available information, influences decision-making, and alters state monitoring strategies. While often linked to authoritarian regimes, it also exists in democracies due to social pressures and media narratives. This study examines self-censorship in the Russian segment of Telegram during the early stages of the special military operation in Ukraine (February 24, 2022). Analyzing 35,000 political Telegram channels, we explore factors behind voluntary and compliance-driven post deletions, including those influenced by the March 4th law. By distinguishing these forms of self-censorship, we highlight their pervasive impact on user behavior and caution against relying on historical social media data without accounting for this phenomenon.

Keywords: Россия, Russia, социальные медиа, самоцензура, social media, self-censorship, Телеграм, telegram