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Article ID: CBB818104236

Freedom of Expression Challenged: Scientists’ Perspectives on Hidden Forms of Suppression and Self-censorship (November 2021)

Väliverronen, Esa (Author)
Sampsa Saikkonen (Author)

Science, Technology, and Human Values
Volume: 46
Issue: 6
Pages: 1172-1200
Publication date: November 2021
Language: English

URI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243920978303

DOI: 10.1177/0162243920978303

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Academic freedom Freedom of expression Science and technology studies (STS) Social media Communication of scientific ideas Expertise 21st century Finland

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.

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