The explosive growth and proliferating uses of surveillance technology has had an impact on intellectual freedom, creativity and social discovery, according to a study National Public Radio reported.
Researchers found that a number of American writers are not only worried about the government surveillance, but are engaging in self-censorship as a result. This might be because, historically, aggressive surveillance regimes have limited discourses and distorted the flow of information and ideas.
The study, conducted last month by the PEN American Center - world's leading literary and human rights organization - and the FDR Group, surveyed 528 PEN members.
Based on those surveyed, 16 percent of those surveyed said they have avoided writing or speaking on a particular topic and 11 percent have seriously considered it.
"Writers are self-censoring their work and their online activity due to their fears that commenting on, researching, or writing about certain issues will cause them harm," according to the report. "Writers reported self-censoring on subjects including military affairs, the Middle East North Africa region, mass incarceration, drug policies, pornography, the Occupy movement, the study of certain languages, and criticism of the U.S. government."
They also found that 85 percent of writers were worried about government surveillance of Americans and 73 percent said they have never been as worried about privacy rights and freedom of the press as they are today.
According to NPR, the writer William T. Vollmann brought concerns about government surveillance into the public eye with a Harper's article in which he revealed that he had been watched by the FBI.
"I was accused, secretly," he wrote. "I was spied on ... I am not a victim; my worries are not for me, but for the American Way of Life."
According to the study, writers believe freedom of expression is under threat and, as a result, freedom of information is imperiled as well. They are significantly more likely than the general public to disapprove of "the government's collection of telephone and Internet data as part of anti-terrorism efforts."
Sixty-six percent of writers compared to 44 percent of the general public disapproved of government surveillance. Only 12 percent of writers approve, compared with 50 percent of the general public.
