Self-censorship

Self-censorship is the practical mechanism through which the chilling effect operates. It is rational at the individual level (avoiding costs) and corrosive at the societal level (collective discourse narrows). Modern forms include: not sharing a news story to avoid offending employer; not commenting on a controversial topic to avoid mob harassment; framing opinions in deliberately vague language. Healthy public discourse requires a balance — total absence of self-censorship produces toxicity, but pervasive self-censorship produces homogeneity. See also: chilling effect, editorial independence.