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Australian moral philosopher Peter Singer has spoken with Sky News about the new publication ‘Journal of Controversial Ideas’ which he is launching, which will allow academics to publish their ideas anonymously so there is no risk to their career.

Speaking with Sky News host Andrew Bolt, Mr Singer said it is “sad” that it has gotten to a point where it’s “necessary” to have something like the journal.

“We hope that it won’t always be necessary but … people who come out with controversial ideas, ideas that are not accepted by some sections of society … are liable to threats, to harassment, to death threats, and to a threat to their careers,” he said.

“People may try to get them dismissed, they may try to get their articles retracted from journals after they’ve been accepted by proper peer review.

“We feel that this is having an intimidating effect and it’s narrowing the range of topics that get discussed and debated, and we think that’s a bad idea.

“We support the idea that freedom of thought and discussion is an essential element of a free society and of a society that can make progress towards the truth, and towards better ways to behave to each other and to the world.”