Abstract
Medical journals are fundamental institutions that champion free speech and scientific enquiry, for the betterment of healthcare of patients, health professions, and society. Psychiatry draws upon and overlaps with a range of fields including ethics, the law, social science, philosophy, and politics, amongst others. Psychiatric science and the art of practice encompass many controversial domains that impact upon the health of the people the profession cares for. It is increasingly challenging to facilitate open spaces for free speech and enquiry in the context of ascendant authoritarianism in government, the academy, medical organisations, and broader society. Fortunately, there are important guideposts drawn from twentieth century and recent history that enable recognition of and democratic action to curtail authoritarianism and empower free speech and scientific enquiry.
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