Censorship of covid-19 heterodoxy

• In Event: Corona Truth Wars: Testing and Contesting Knowledge in a Hyper-Mobile Pandemic - III

Abstract

The covid-19 pandemic has stimulated a huge amount of research about treatments, vaccines and control measures. Although understanding about these matters has been changing as new information is acquired, many governments, media organisations and technology companies have taken steps to silence the expression of views deviating from the current official line. This has included failure to report on heterodox views, changes in search algorithms, abrupt removal of websites, and reprisals against dissidents. Individuals and groups raising non-orthodox views have been subject to derogatory labelling, for example being called conspiracy theorists. As well, there has been an imbalance in research, with neglect of careful studies of treatments using non-patentable substances and relatively little study of the harmful effects of control measures.
The result has been a one-sided body of knowledge and a one-sided information environment. This suggests the influence of governments and large corporations over the production and distribution of knowledge, and fits with the concept of “undone science,” in which research unwelcome to powerful interests is not carried out.
Interviews were carried out with scientists and doctors critical of covid-19 orthodoxy. Their perceptions and experiences show the processes by which dissent has been marginalised, including by covering up dissident views, devaluation of dissidents, rationalisations for censorship, ineffective appeal procedures and intimidation.
The censorship of heterodox views raises questions of power and knowledge, in particular whether worthwhile ideas are being excluded from public discussion in the push to ensure that publics adhere to official recommendations.

Author

• Brian Martin, University Of Wollongong