Steemit is one of the most Anti-Free speech, pro-censorship social media platform that I have used to date. It is all due to the abusive downvoting by 'whales' and their armies of accounts/bots, as you have pointed out.. I haven't come across a more abusive system yet. This platform is becoming known to stay away from, for just this reason. It is getting a 'name' for itself. It seems very odd to me that it is this way. Such an easy thing to do, discourage that abuse instead of reward it.....
I'd spend some time on here if weren't so censored and abusive. I'd recommend others to it instead of away. As of now, there's just no way. Someone can just come along an hide your words, usually on auto....as long as they have more Steem. It is pretty disgusting to behold.
Steemit's biggest abusers were just awarded, far more power to abuse....
This is definitely not a platform for free speech, freedom of expression, freedom of political affiliation, etc.. It penalizes its users based on their affiliations.... A terrible idea for sustainability.
I appreciate your work and news, and wish Steemit allowed for it to be visible, in fairness and justice...