Postcensorship in Streaming: How Millennials and Gen Z Influence Content

What is it?

Postcensorship refers to a modern form of censorship where content creators preemptively alter or suppress material to avoid social backlash. This phenomenon is especially prevalent in the era of streaming platforms and social media activism.

Why is it important?

This article explains how digital audiences, particularly millennials and centennials (Gen Z) in Spain and Mexico, exert discursive power over audiovisual productions, effectively shaping content through online criticism and pressure. According to the research of Fernández-Rodríguez, Romero-Rodríguez, and Castillo-Abdul, this dynamic may erode creative freedom and foster political alienation.

Key Findings from the Study

Political Alienation Defined

The main findings indicate that political alienation manifests as a mix of ineffectiveness, distrust, and disconnection from political institutions. It is influenced by:

• Low confidence in political systems.

• Perceived irrelevance of individual actions (e.g., voting).

• A sense that entertainment must mirror personal and social values.

Survey Overview

A survey of 998 participants (ages 18–41) in Spain and Mexico showed:

• Widespread belief that content changes (e.g., plot edits) result from economic motives, not genuine empowerment.

• Centennials are less politically alienated than millennials.

• Netflix viewers are less alienated than Filmin or Amazon Prime Video users.

• Critically motivated viewers show higher alienation than those watching for fun or companionship.

How Streaming Reflects and Shapes Political Sentiment

Audience Dictatorship?

Many participants believe that when a film or series adjusts content following social media complaints, it results not from progressive values, but commercial interests. This supports the notion of an “audience dictatorship”, where viewer demands override artistic intent.

Censorship vs. Social Progress

This research found a generational split:

• Gen Z (centennials) are more likely to view narrative edits as progressive corrections.

• Millennials express greater skepticism, perceiving changes as clientelistic pandering.

Real-World Examples

• Gone With the Wind removed from HBO Max after criticism of racist content.

• Disney+ added disclaimers to older films like Fantasia.

• Fan backlash influenced the endings of Game of Thrones and Star Wars episodes.

FAQs

What is postcensorship in streaming?
It’s a self-imposed alteration of content by creators anticipating public backlash, often influenced by social media trends.

How does political alienation relate to streaming?
Viewers may feel disconnected from both political institutions and media narratives, leading to critical consumption patterns and distrust in creators’ motives.

Do younger viewers support censorship?
Not explicitly, but many see content revisions as a way to ensure inclusion and representation, even if that means limiting artistic freedom.

Future Directions

This study opens paths for further research:

• Including other Spanish-speaking countries.

• Exploring related sentiments like political cynicism and media efficacy.

• Analyzing how creators navigate self-censorship in response to audience pressure.