Freedom of Expression Challenged

Scientists' Perspectives on Hidden Forms of Suppression and Self-censorship

Datos Bibliográficos

ID5337301
AutoresEsa Väliverronen (0000-0001-8519-5828, University of Helsinki, autor de correspondencia), Sampsa Saikkonen (0000-0001-5291-4558, University of Helsinki)
Año2021
Volumen46
Número6
Páginas1172-1200
Fecha de publicación2021-11-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaScience Technology & Human Values (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0162-2439 • E-ISSN: 1552-8251
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0162243920978303
OpenAlexW3113353872
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas25
Referencias citadas48

The media have become an important arena where struggles over the symbolic legitimacy of expert authority take place and where scientific experts increasingly have to compete for public recognition. The rise of authoritarian and populist leaders in many countries and the growing importance of social media have fueled criticism against scientific institutions and individual researchers. This paper discusses the new hidden forms of suppression and self-censorship regarding scientists' roles as public experts. It is based on two web surveys conducted among Finnish researchers in 2015 and 2017. We focus on answers to the open-ended questions in these surveys, where respondents reflect upon issues of freedom of expression and the feedback they receive in public arenas. Building on previous research on suppression, "research silencing," and the "chilling effect," we discuss the connection between freedom of expression and freedom of inquiry. We make a distinction between four forms of suppression: political and economic control, organizational control, control between rival academics, and control from publics. Moreover, we make explicit and discuss the means, motives, and practices of suppression within each of these four forms

Authoritarianism · Censorship · Criticism · Democracy · Intellectual freedom · Legitimacy · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Public relations · Social control · Social media · Social science · Sociology · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Digital Education and Society · Law · Misinformation and Its Impacts