The Cultural Review

Digital Rights

4 articles

A hand reaching for a physical book on a shelf, representing the enduring value of physical media ownership in contrast to digital content.
Media

What is Physical Media Ownership and Why Does It Matter?

In 2022, academic publisher Wiley abruptly removed over 1,300 ebooks from library collections, a stark demonstration that even 'purchased' digital content can vanish without warning.

Andre Silva·September 19, 2026
A young teenager contemplates their smartphone, symbolizing the potential impact of the UK's proposed social media ban on under 16s.
Media

UK Proposes Social Media Ban for Under 16s

By early 2027, the UK government plans to legally prohibit social media platforms from offering services to anyone under the age of 16, a move that could reshape digital childhood, according to BBC an

Claire Donovan·June 18, 2026
A young teenager is illuminated by a smartphone screen, symbolizing the complex challenges of social media regulation for minors and global safety concerns.
Media

Australia's social media ban for under-16s: Global safety challenges

Australia restricted access to social media for young people under 16 last December, according to The Conversation.

Claire Donovan·June 17, 2026
A vast, old library filled with books, records, and film reels, contrasted by a single glowing digital screen symbolizing transient streaming.
Media

The Tyranny of the Stream: Why We Must Preserve Physical Media

The preservation of physical media is a vital defense of our cultural memory against the transient nature of digital access. Entrusting our entire cultural library to the cloud risks profound and irreversible loss.

Claire Donovan·April 1, 2026