Self-censorship: lecturers and students sometimes bite their tongues
What can you say, and when is it better to remain silent? A “significant minority” of researchers, lecturers, and students have sometimes self-censored in recent years, according to a report.
Some statements get applause, others provoke anger—or both. Sometimes people prefer to swallow their words rather than face criticism (from the media, Internet trolls, or colleagues).
But how often does self-censorship occur? At the urging of the House of Representatives, Minister Dijkgraaf had it investigated by the Technopolis agency. The report came out in the week before the Christmas break.
One-fourth
Between students and lecturers it happens regularly, the report shows. In fields of study such as economics, behavior and society, and law, one-fourth of lecturers have self-censored conversations with students a few times in the past three years.
Conversely, students from almost all disciplines do the same in contact with lecturers as well as fellow students. It is relatively common in programs such as law and educational sciences especially.
“It concerns me that there are researchers, students, and lecturers who feel restricted in expressing themselves, or who even self-censor. I expect institutions to ensure that a free and open academic culture is and remains a priority,” the minister responded by letter. “At the same time, we realize that this phenomenon is not restricted to higher education and science.” He refers to the polarization of social debate and the “politicization” of social issues.
Close scrutiny
Researchers generally self-censor less frequently. But in health care, 24 percent have done it on occasion in, for example, press releases, interviews, or informative articles on their websites.
How might this come about? Interviewees suggested that healthcare was under close scrutiny during the corona crisis. Performance pressure and hierarchy in the profession could also contribute to self-censorship.
By comparison, in agriculture and nature, only one percent of researchers say they have ever self-censored for any reason. Among natural scientists, the figure is two percent.
Contradictory
Some results seem contradictory. For example, some lawyers say they engage in self-censorship, while at the same time, they are deeply concerned about it. Half of them believe that the diversity of perspectives is threatened.
But note, all told, only 24 lawyers completed the questionnaire. The report analyzes the responses of less than 500 lecturers and researchers, out of the roughly 5,000 contacted. (The response rate was higher among students: 39 percent: 841 students completed the survey.)
And what do respondents actually call self-censorship? Academic freedom is not the same as freedom of speech. Sometimes you may have to bite your tongue because you don’t have enough evidence for your own opinion. Or as Dijkgraaf puts it, “Academic freedom is limited by the conduct of research and by principles of scientific integrity such as honesty, diligence, transparency, independence, and accountability.”
In addition, people might also unconsciously modify their behavior without perceiving it as undesirable. They are then trained in specific ways of thinking and conform to certain views. Such “brainwashing,” as the report calls it, is difficult to measure.
Threats
Also, the authors of the report cannot say whether things used to be better. Polarization in society may have contributed to self-censorship, but this has not been previously measured. The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science will carry out this survey again in five years, Dijkgraaf promises. “In the intervening years, of course, the ministry will continue to keep its finger on the pulse.”
Dijkgraaf calls attention to the things he has already done. For example, he wants more insight into the complaints and reporting procedures at colleges and universities. He has also set up the ScienceSafe (WetenschapVeilig) hotline, which offers researchers help if they suffer threats and intimidation. The conversation about academic freedom must continue, he believes.
