Researcher's and Expert's Freedom of Speech - Online Survey
The Committee for Public Information (Tiedonjulkistamisen neuvottelukunta) is mapping, through a survey, attempts to restrict freedom of speech experienced by researchers and experts, and experiences of pressure and harassment.
The freedom of speech of researchers is a precondition for free science. Freedom of speech is realized when practitioners of science – researchers and experts – can, without anyone preventing them, publicly speak about their research findings and matters within their area of expertise. Public appearances include publishing scholarly works, giving lectures, providing interviews, or publishing writings and positions in newspapers, blogs, or social media.
However, attempts to restrict freedom of speech are common. Various actors for different reasons may seek to limit a researcher's freedom of speech. Examples include political pressure, pressure from superiors or colleagues, and inappropriate comments, insults, or targeting from the public. In the most serious cases, it involves the use or threat of violence.
The survey is conducted and the responses are processed anonymously. A summary of responses will be published as a survey report. It may include direct quotations from the responses of those who give permission to publish parts of their responses. The published excerpts will be treated so that the respondent cannot be identified from them. If you do not consent to your responses being published, no part of them will be published.
For more information about the survey, please contact the Committee for Public Information's expert Oula Silvennoinen, mobile: 044 710 8367, email: oula.silvennoinen(at)tjnk.fi
The Committee for Public Information is an expert body of the Ministry of Education and Culture that monitors achievements in various fields of science, art, and technology in Finland and abroad, as well as the development of other national and international information.