Censorship now: Hide the Numbers, Control the Message

Many governments employ internet censorship, media control, and surveillance to suppress data, shape public opinion, and monitor online activity.

In the past, Shakespeare famously wrote in his play Henry VI that the first step for those seeking power was to “kill off the lawyers.” Today, the first step taken by those seeking power is to hide the numbers and control the message.

Various government leaders have adopted a political strategy that involves suppressing basic data, vital information, and the statisticians and scientists who collect, analyze, and disseminate these numbers.

Without access to neutral data, objective information, and technically sound analyses, populations are left ill-informed and unable to express dissent. Censorship is often used to suppress numbers that may contradict the goals of government officials in controlling the message.

To gain power over a society, essential economic, social, health, environmental, and demographic data, along with any resulting reports, are being suppressed. This suppression is achieved by failing to collect, analyze, publish, and disseminate objective information on levels and trends.

Statisticians, scientists, and others responsible for collecting and reporting data are being dismissed, threatened, or silenced. Knowledge-producing institutions that conduct studies are being defunded and downsized.

Many governments use various methods, such as internet censorship, media control, and surveillance, to hide the numbers and control the message. These tactics restrict access to information, shape public opinion, and monitor online activity.

The primary strategy of many government leaders today is to hide numbers and control the message. Anything that contradicts their message is labeled false, fake news, lies, or treason, leading to legal action, criminal penalties, and imprisonment for dissenters and those who publish what officials deem false news.

In countries like Cuba, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Myanmar, North Korea, and Turkmenistan, for example, the media serves as a mouthpiece for government officials. Other countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Hungary, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Somalia, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Yemen, use harassment, surveillance, and detentions to control the media and the message.

In Russia, key demographic statistics on births, deaths, marriages, and divorce have been classified following a decline in birth rates.

For about four decades, the Russian total fertility rate has remained well below replacement level, estimated at approximately 1.4 births per woman in 2024, and the number of births has declined to record lows.

Detailed population data are no longer being published, leading to a lack of publicly available demographic statistics since March 2025.

Russian officials note that despite their country being the largest in the world, their population is decreasing every year because of below-replacement fertility rates.

After decades of population growth, Russia’s population peaked at nearly 150 million in 1990 and has been largely declining since then.

Russia’s current population of about 144 million is projected to continue declining, reaching about 126 million by the end of the century according to the United Nations medium-variant projection. Without migration, however, Russia’s population in 2100 is projected to decline to 88 million, or about 60% of its current size.

To combat declining birth rates, Russian authorities have restricted access to abortions and contraception. They have implemented measures such as banning what they refer to as “child-free propaganda” and promoting traditional family values. They also recently announced a ban on TV series and films where women prioritise their careers over having children.

Similarly, in the United States, government leaders are reducing and silencing agencies that collect, analyze, and report vital information.

The communication platforms of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for example, have gone silent. Crucial health data have been removed from public access, and many CDC newsletters have stopped being distributed.

Alerts about disease outbreaks, which were previously sent to health professionals subscribed to the CDC’s Health Alert Network, have not been dispatched since March. Also, US officials have cut funding, dismissed staff, and denied negative data reports.

Although some federal health websites have been restored, others are still down after some numbers were purged. The CDC has acknowledged that its website is being changed to comply with executive orders of the president.

Another agency that has experienced staff firings and funding cuts, which has created a danger for public safety and well-being, is the National Weather Service. These reductions have impacted the collection of vital data used to make forecasts and the staff who analyse data to issue critical warnings about hazardous and extreme weather.

To control the message, US government officials have reduced funding, fired and silenced staff, and openly dismissed the consequences of their actions.

Government officials deny any negative data and findings on levels and trends that are reported. They also dismiss anything they do not enjoy hearing by accusing those scientists, statisticians, and others of spreading false rumours. They often blame previous administrations for issues that they cannot dismiss.

Data on the economic effects of the recently announced US tariffs, including increased prices for consumers and businesses, are also being hidden, denied, downplayed, or dismissed.

In contrast to the views of leading economists and many in the business community, administration officials deflect legitimate criticisms by saying tariffs will help domestic industries, reduce trade deficits, and benefit national security and strategic independence.

Efforts to eliminate administration-declared waste, fraud, and abuse have hindered data collection, analysis, and dissemination, laid off or put on leave tens of thousands of federal employees, led to service disruptions, and adversely affected research and development at various agencies. Troubling information is hidden from the public, and justifications for policy changes and staff layoffs are often confusing, illogical, or outright lies.

For example, numbers on proposed reductions in government-funded services and programs, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—which provides food benefits to low-income families—coupled with huge tax benefits to the wealthy, are explained away by jingoistic rhetoric, irrelevant issues, political illogic, and empty promises.

Also similar to Russia, US government officials wish to raise the country’s low fertility rate, which in 2024 was about 1.6 births per woman. Besides blaming women for the low birth rate, some officials have referred to prominent women without children as “childless cat ladies” and are promoting a return to traditional roles for men and women in American society.

Administration officials propose a modest financial incentive of about $5,000 for women to have a baby. Also, a bill proposed by the US House would provide $1,000 to children born between 2025 and 2028 that could be invested on their behalf.

The US population, approximately 342 million in 2025, continues to increase after more than doubling since 1950.

However, like Russia, the future growth of the US population depends on migration. The US Census Bureau reports that without migration, the country’s population is projected to decline by about a third by the end of the century.

According to the United Nations medium-variant projection, the US population is projected to reach approximately 420 million by the end of the century. Without migration, however, it is projected to decline to 268 million, or about 78% of its current size.

In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Under Article 19 of that Declaration, everyone has the right to seek, receive, and impart news and express opinions.

During recent decades, many countries, especially in Europe, have recognized the importance of ensuring national statistical systems produce data and analyses that adhere to professional and scientific standards.

In 1994, the United Nations Statistical Commission adopted the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. Two decades later, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed these principles, stressing the critical role of high-quality official statistics in analysis and informed policy decision-making, supporting sustainable development, peace, and security.

In summary, to promote informed policy decision-making and prevent governments from hiding data and controlling the message, transparency, objectivity, and accountability are crucial. These qualities are necessary for holding officials accountable and ensuring the public is informed with objective, reliable, and timely data and analyses.

Joseph Chamie is a consulting demographer, a former director of the United Nations Population Division, and author of many publications on population issues, including his recent book, Population Levels, Trends, and Differentials.