Silenced in a Click: How to Fight Back against Government Social Media Censorship

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | 2:00-3:00PM EST

When a massive summer blackout struck a Navy base in Georgia, nationally recognized military family advocate Sergio Rodriguez stepped up to help. Posting on the base’s official Facebook page that was open to the public, he offered practical, helpful advice to military families. He also criticized the base’s inadequate response to the crisis. Within hours, base officials deleted all of Sergio’s messages and blocked him from posting again.

Sergio’s experience isn’t unique. Many government agencies use their official public social media pages to silence criticism – deleting comments, blocking users and banning community members exercising their First Amendment rights. Across the country, ordinary people who try to raise concerns or hold officials accountable on government public forums are finding their comments erased and their access cut off with just a click.

Join CIR’s Darpana Sheth for a live conversation with CIR client Sergio Rodriguez and Reason senior editor and digital free speech expert Elizabeth Nolan Brown. Together, they will discuss how government agencies censor social media criticism and what’s at stake for the future of free expression online.

Register to join our Virtual Live Event!

About the Speakers:

Sergio Rodriguez

Sergio Rodriguez is a prominent advocate for military families, a retired veteran and a military spouse. Rodriguez has received a Presidential commendation, the 2022 “Navy Spouse of the Year” award by Armed Forces Insurance, and other honors for his relentless advocacy for military families. 

Elizabeth Nolan Brown

Elizabeth Nolan Brown is a senior editor at Reason where she reports on social media, antitrust law, feminism, the First Amendment, policing, and Section 230. She is also co-founder of the libertarian feminist group Feminists for Liberty, and a professional affiliate of the journalism program at the University of Cincinnati.

Moderator: Darpana Sheth

Sheth is CIR’s General Counsel. Former Vice President of Litigation at FIRE and Senior Attorney at the Institute for Justice, she has over 20 years of experience defending constitutional rights nationwide.