Ladder: shutdowns and blocking, in Oceania

A government cuts internet or mobile telephone service, blocks news websites or social media platforms, or jams radio and television signals, so that audiences cannot receive news and reporters cannot send it out.

The number of entries reflects the depth of this record, not the severity of a country's conduct.

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StageAnyRestrictPressurePunishSilenceEliminate

ContinentAnyAfricaAsiaEuropeNorth AmericaSouth AmericaOceaniaAntarctica

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1. Restrict
2. Pressure
3. Punish
4. Silence
5. Eliminate

4Silence

Removing outlets or channels from the public sphere: closures, licence withdrawals, forced sales, blocking and shutdowns, prior restraint, nationalisation.

AUAustraliaRSF 2026 rank: 33rd of 180

16 April 1944John Curtin

Australia's wartime government, under Prime Minister John Curtin, controlled press coverage of military events through the Department of Information.

Reversed 18 April 1944 · 2 sources · Full entry

All ladders · Shutdowns and blocking: by country and year · The United States chapter