But many types of problems are hard to legislate against, such as subtle harassment campaigns and blocking of appointments. Legislation has potent symbolic value. On the one hand, it may legitimate dissent. On the other hand, it may give the appearance that something is being done about suppression when actually little has changed. When unions or staff associations take up defence of a dissident, this can be very effective.
Publicity is undoubtedly an extremely potent method of opposing suppression.
Furthermore, journalists often are interested in suppression cases because they make a good story. It is vitally important that action be taken against suppression. Every case of suppression is a warning to potential critics not to buck the system. And every case in which suppression is vigorously opposed is a warning to vested interests that attacks will not be tolerated. We aim to develop strategies for publicising and challenging suppression in Australia.