Can publishers resist self-censorship in China?

How can scholars tackle the rise of Chinese censorship in the West?

There is growing concern that China is trying to silence its critics in the West, with academic publishers a particular target. Tao Zhang considers the consequences for scholarly freedom – and what can be done to tackle such restrictions

By Tao Zhang

4 January

Beijing, China - March 12, 2012 Chinese newspapers in a newsstand

Self-censorship on China ‘increasingly normalised’

Australian report warns that students and academics alike are learning to stay silent

By John Ross

29 June

UK scholars ‘more likely to self-censor’ when teaching Chinese students

Research aims to gather evidence on whether international links with autocratic states pose threat to UK academic freedom

By John Morgan

23 February

Nobel laureates ‘outraged’ by Chinese censorship

State media defend China’s call to remove two speakers from summit

By Joyce Lau

29 July

Reader's comments (4)

#1 Submitted by ... on December 9, 2022 - 11:40am

I understand Duke Kunshan University is operating a 'freedom of thought' policy, unusual in China. A staff member explained that it did not matter that students at this very expensive elite institution had access to ideas at odds with CCP policy as they were unlikely to upset the apple cart.

#2 Submitted by george.... on January 13, 2023 - 12:43pm

That's really interesting and brings to mind Margaret Roberts notion of 'porous' censorship, in precisely this context, whereby more targeted and aggressive censorship efforts are aimed at high-profile activists or political figures, as opposed to a broader, educated elite, who routinely circumvent censorship with no overt threats or penalties, as not part of organised anti-govt political activism. Highly recommend her work on this, if you're interested.

#3 Submitted by taicullum on January 13, 2023 - 2:22am

Hi George, My name is Tai and I am writing to you to say that I really enjoyed reading your paper on academic self-censorship in China. I am currently undertaking a Thesis on a closely related subject as part of a Masters of Education course. I was wondering if you would be open to any type of collaboration in the future, as I would love to be able to properly cite the academic literature you referenced in this paper. Looking forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Best regards, Tai

#4 Submitted by george.... on January 13, 2023 - 12:46pm

Thanks, Tai! Happy to discuss. Please feel free to contact me directly: https://hamoyo.com/contact/

Can academic publishers resist self-censorship in China?

Five years on from Cambridge University Press’ controversial compliance with a Chinese government request to make more than 300 articles unavailable to Chinese readers, publishers are increasingly self-censoring content on ‘sensitive’ topics. But is the trade-off justified, asks George Cooper

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Related articles

How can scholars tackle the rise of Chinese censorship in the West?

Self-censorship on China ‘increasingly normalised’

UK scholars ‘more likely to self-censor’ when teaching Chinese students

Nobel laureates ‘outraged’ by Chinese censorship

Reader's comments (4)

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Can academic publishers resist self-censorship in China?

Five years on from Cambridge University Press’ controversial compliance with a Chinese government request to make more than 300 articles unavailable to Chinese readers, publishers are increasingly self-censoring content on ‘sensitive’ topics. But is the trade-off justified, asks George Cooper

Register to continue

Subscribe

Related articles

How can scholars tackle the rise of Chinese censorship in the West?

Self-censorship on China ‘increasingly normalised’

UK scholars ‘more likely to self-censor’ when teaching Chinese students

Nobel laureates ‘outraged’ by Chinese censorship

Reader's comments (4)

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