THE LIMITS OF CENSORSHIP AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE DIGITAL ERA: CHALLENGES FOR CONTEMPORARY DEMOCRACY
THE LIMITS OF CENSORSHIP AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE DIGITAL ERA: CHALLENGES FOR CONTEMPORARY DEMOCRACY

Summary/Abstract: The analyzed research area addresses issues related to the dynamic development of technology and its impact on freedom of speech. The subject of this paper is based on an analysis of the contemporary nature of democracy and the problems of digital communication, which significantly influence not only political competition but also the way society perceives reality. The article also takes on the challenge of determining who holds power today--whether it is the traditionally understood political regimes or the vast digital corporations aspiring to shape the public sphere. This reality forces us to ask which of these spheres dominates the current environment and which determines the direction and pace of change. The characterization of the mutual interrelations between the socio-political sphere and social media aligns with the increasingly popular theory of technological determinism, which assumes that social life reflects technology and its specific features, preferences, and internal processes. Applying this theory encourages an examination and redefinition of the interactions between communication technologies and social processes. Of particular importance in this context is the conflict between censorship and freedom of expression--a well-known issue that, in the age of widespread digitalization, gains exceptional significance. The paper also points to the role of traditional centers of power, including the European Union and its issued regulations, such as the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, which aim to regulate the functioning of major online platforms in the context of protecting freedom of speech.

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