Harassment is threatening the freedom of expression of non-fiction writers and researchers in Finland. Disagreements, disputes and criticism are part of science and research and of societal debate. Sometimes harsh criticism, for example of a published article, can be justified even if the writer it is directed at feels insulted or hurt. Harassment that is directed at a non-fiction writer or researcher because the person is addressing a controversial issue (for example wolves, feminism or refugees) or presents an analysis that some people do not accept is a different matter.
Harassment is a serious threat to the freedom of expression of non-fiction writers and researchers. It is an insidious threat with far-reaching effects: even if harassment is directed at one individual only, others see what can happen if they take up the same issues. It is entirely understandable if many decide that it is better to stay quiet and keep a low profile.
The problem is global. For example, according to an international survey by the organisation Global Witness in 2022, 39% of climate scientists had experienced harassment or abuse online as a consequence of their work. Read the report here: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/digital-threats/global-hating/.
Although the situation in many countries is worse, the problem in Finland is serious. The impacts on the person who is the target of harassment and on others close to the person can be severe, even if the harassment does not reach a level where it can be defined as a crime. If the harassment meets the criteria of an offence, the legal process can be long and difficult. Harassment is a societal problem with significant negative impacts on research and public debate in Finland.
The Nordic situation is also concerning. In a joint statement published in October 2024 the Nordic Academic Trade Unions expressed their concerns about the rise in harassment and intimidation against academics. The unions warned that this can have effects in other countries, because the Nordic region is seen as a world leader in academic freedom. The unions emphasised the need to protect academics from harassment and intimidation and that universities need stronger protections and support systems to defend academic freedom of expression. Read the joint statement here: https://www.professoriliitto.fi/en/whats-new/nordic-academic-freedom-under-threat-time-for-governments-to-act/.
Harassment is undertaken in many different ways and different types of countermeasures are needed. Harassment can for example involve targeted harassment on social media, threats of violence, false claims, spreading of private information or groundless complaints to authorities.
Legal advice can help clarify if the harassment fulfils the criteria of an offence, for example stalking or dissemination of private information. Employers can support the person targeted by harassment in many ways, for example by expressing their support publicly or by offering legal and other help. In developing countermeasures, it is also important to take into account those who are not in an employment relationship, such as grant-funded researchers and freelance non-fiction writers.
Surveys show the nature of the problem in Finland
The Committee for public information (TJNK) is an expert body attached to the ministry of education and culture. It works to advance the availability and use of reliable knowledge and information within society. Read more about TJNK here: https://tjnk.fi/en/tjnk.
A survey undertaken by TJNK in 2023 mapped how individuals in research and expert roles had experienced attempts to restrict their professional freedom of expression. Around a third of respondents had experienced unprofessional feedback and harassment of a more systematic nature. As earlier surveys by TJNK had also indicated, unprofessional feedback and more systematic harassment was often related to public appearances.
Harassment often involved unprofessional feedback presented solely for the purpose of insulting or hurting. In a smaller number of cases harassment involved vandalism or threats of violence. Among examples of threats mentioned by respondents was kidnapping of children. Read about the TJNK survey in Finnish here: https://tjnk.fi/fi/vaikuttaminen/tutkijan-sananvapaus/hairitsevan-palautteen-monet-muodot-2023.
In a survey in 2020 by the Association of Finnish Nonfiction Writers and Finnish PEN, that was sent to members of the Association of Finnish Nonfiction Writers, close to 23% of respondents had experienced harassment. Almost half of those who had experienced harassment said they had reworded or refrained from expressing certain things publicly to avoid unprofessional feedback. Read the report of the survey in Finnish here: https://www.suomenpen.fi/tietokirjailijat-hairinnan-kohteena/.
A big step forward: guidance from the Committee for public information
The Committee for public information (TJNK) has prepared soon to be published guidance for actors across scientific disciplines concerning support- and countermeasures relating to harassment. Read about the project in Finnish here: https://www.tjnk.fi/fi/vaikuttaminen/tutkijan-sananvapaus.
The new guidance is an important resource for the scientific community, science organisations and researchers and experts. It creates an opportunity to improve the situation of researchers, non-fiction writers and other experts by strengthening cooperation among different actors. Coordination and joint strategies can increase the effect of countermeasures significantly. It is also important to discuss the situation of for example freelance non-fiction writers and aim to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get support if they become a target of harassment.
Finnish PEN’s committee for non-fiction writers and researchers
Collaboration with TJNK has been an important part of the activities of Finnish PEN’s committee for non-fiction writers and researchers. Growing concern about harassment of non-fiction writers and researchers and its effects on freedom of expression was behind the establishment of the committee in 2017. The situation has continued to be very concerning, as the surveys undertaken by TJNK and jointly by the Association of Finnish Nonfiction Writers and Finnish PEN have shown.
Non-fiction writers, researchers, journalists, fiction writers and others participate in the committee’s activities. All PEN members are welcome to participate. Read about the committee here: https://www.suomenpen.fi/en/toiminta/tietokirjoittajien-ja-tutkijoiden-komitea/.
Joy Hyvärinen
The author is chair of Finnish PEN’s committee for non-fiction writers and researchers.
