Harassment
Social media harassment and the freedom of science
There have always been attempts to restrict the freedom of science. Science and the results of individual researchers have always met with opposition, for example from politicians. Concern about the state of researchers’ freedom of expression is common and internationally recognised. Harassment is the most common and recognised phenomenon restricting the freedom of expression of researchers in the world, and in Finland. Harassment typically refers to attempts to silence a researcher or question their expertise through personal or public inappropriate criticism, pressure and hate campaigns.
Scientific criticism must be distinguished from harassment. Presenting unfounded claims is not criticism, nor is deliberate misunderstanding, ignoring counterarguments, pressuring or threatening behaviour. If criticism has these characteristics, it ceases to be criticism and becomes harassment. Simply disagreeing is not harassment.
The increase in harassment is due to the rapid and drastic change in the communications environment in recent decades. In Finland, the freedom of speech of researchers and experts is curtailed above all by mental and verbal violence: threats, pressure and harassment. Harassment and inappropriate behaviour on social media platforms may manifest as hate speech, trolling or bullying, for example. In a survey conducted by the Committee for Public Information, about a third of the respondents said that they had been subjected to this kind of influencing attempts.
The self-regulation mechanisms of professional communities can also be used for harassment purposes. An example of this is the guide for self-regulation of researchers entitled Responsible conduct of research and procedures for handling allegations of misconduct in Finland, the use of which for the purpose of harassment is contrary to the principles of the guidelines and may lead to action against the person making the report.
Professors in an employment relationship and in a public-service employment relationship are covered by occupational safety and health legislation, which is why the employer has a statutory obligation to help and support professors in cases of harassment as part of occupational safety and health.
Sometimes, a conversation with a disturbing or inappropriate person may be sensible. Make it clear that you do not like or approve of their behaviour. You are not alone, support and help are available. Information about harassment or inappropriate behaviour should be shared with the supervisor and the occupational safety and health representative. If necessary, contact the shop steward or the Union’s lawyer.
At its most serious, social media harassment may meet the criteria of a crime.
According to the Criminal Code, it is harassing communication if someone repeatedly sends messages or calls another person with the intention of harassing them in a way that is likely to cause significant disturbance or inconvenience to them.
Illegal threat is when someone threatens another with a crime in such circumstances that the threatened person has a justified reason to fear, on their own behalf or on behalf of another person, that their personal safety or property is in serious danger.
Dissemination of information violating personal privacy occurs when someone unlawfully presents information, innuendo or a picture of another person’s private life 1) by using the mass media or 2) otherwise making it available to a large number of people in such a way that the act is likely to cause damage or suffering to the offended person or contempt towards them.
Defamation occurs if someone 1) presents false information or insinuations about another person in such a way that the act is likely to cause damage or suffering to the offended person or contempt towards him/her, or 2) disparages another person in a manner other than that referred to in paragraph 1. However, criticism of another person’s conduct in politics, business, public office or position, science, art or these is not considered defamation comparable public activities, and which clearly do not exceed what can be considered acceptable.
For possible criminal proceedings, save screenshots of social media conversations and comments as well as other contacts on social media. If you suspect that you have become a victim of a crime, the Union’s lawyer can help you with whether the elements of a crime have been met and how you should act in the matter.
The Committee for Public Information has published recommendations for the Finnish research community to protect researchers and experts from harassment and pressure. Recommendations in a nutshell (in Finnish)