The Psychology of Information Suppression

[beaners]

Are there any good resources out there for learning about this?

I am intrigued by the way information is being shut down at so many levels in so many countries, right now because of the coronavirus situation, but it isn't the only example. 

I can see people at a high level deciding that they don't want people to panic and make a bad situation worse. I can see wanting to hide information and save face. I can see people deciding things are overblown and they don't want false information to be spread. I can see people being afraid of repercussions for standing up. But there is so much I don't understand. 

How many people does it take to censor all of China? Why do they all buy in to their role of censoring others and participate? It isn't only China. False numbers from Iran. Information in the US being filtered through specific official channels. There is a broad range of cultural backgrounds, but all these people still take part in this to some extent. Why?

Books, documentaries, articles?

[Tanaqui]

You know all those censors get paid, right? It's not generally a volunteer gig.

[Jentrovert]

My initial thought is that it's lots of reasons and would vary by country and person. In some countries I assume people do it to avoid imprisonment and death and/or protection of their families. In others, for money or power. Sometimes personal beliefs, etc. Or a combination of things. I'll be interested to see others' thoughts.