Digital Threats to Academic Freedom: Lecture by Prof. Mato Brautović

As part of an international workshop dedicated to the challenges of academic freedom, Prof. Mato Brautović, project coordinator of ADMO, delivered a lecture titled “Digital Threats to Academic Freedom: The Role of Disinformation and Social Media.”

Starting from the premise that scientific communication today largely takes place in digital environments, Prof. Brautović emphasized that academic freedom no longer refers only to the freedom to research, teach, and publish, but also to the freedom to communicate findings publicly in online spaces. Visibility in the digital sphere increasingly shapes the perceived credibility of both scholars and institutions.

Particular attention was given to the role of digital platforms as active actors rather than neutral intermediaries. Processes such as the platformization of public discourse, algorithmic amplification, and the fragmentation of expertise are transforming how scientific information is distributed and interpreted. In such an environment, content undergoes multiple stages—from publication and algorithmic filtering to audience reaction—significantly influencing public perception of science. Data highlighting the high levels of online attacks against scientists, especially those communicating publicly on topics such as climate research, were also presented.

An additional layer of risk is posed by the development of generative artificial intelligence, which enables the creation of deepfake content, fabricated statements, and manipulated research outputs, further blurring the line between credible and false information in the public sphere.

Prof. Brautović also pointed out that threats to academic freedom do not arise solely from external sources, but also from within the scientific system itself, through phenomena such as retracted papers, predatory and hijacked journals, and the misuse of academic authority. These practices undermine trust in science and complicate the public communication of research findings.

As consequences of these developments, increasing self-censorship, reduced public engagement by scholars, avoidance of controversial topics, and growing institutional risk aversion were identified. In the long term, these trends may lead to an erosion of trust in science and a weakening of open academic debate.

In conclusion, the importance of the active role of institutions in protecting academic freedom was emphasized, particularly through the development of crisis communication protocols, the provision of legal and reputational support to researchers, the strengthening of research integrity standards, and the establishment of systems for monitoring and responding to disinformation. Academic freedom in the digital age, it was concluded, is not only about the right to speak, but also about the responsibility to defend evidence-based knowledge in the public sphere.