Analysis and presentation of self-censorship model in cyberspace with a grand theoretical approach in Iran

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors of self-censorship in cyberspace in Iranian society. The research method is qualitative and based on data theory. The sampling method was non-probabilistic sampling, with purposeful selection and with maximum diversity or heterogeneity, based on which 11 political, sociological, psychological and communication specialists were selected as participants in the study. Data were collected through interviews in a semi-structured manner. Data analysis was performed by Strauss and Corbin method and paradigm model. In order to obtain the validity and validity of the data, two methods of reviewing the participants as well as reviewing experts other than the participants in the research were used. The results of analyzing the data obtained from the interviews during the open, pivotal and selective coding process led to the presentation of a self-censorship model on Instagram. Based on the findings of this study, political self-censorship and social self-censorship were identified as causal factors that affect the process of self-censorship on Instagram. Psychological self-censorship and cultural self-censorship as background factors, legal self-censorship as intervention factors, communication self-censorship as strategies and moral self-censorship as consequences were extracted from this study.