The Journal of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists recently retracted a peer-reviewed article and it's raised concerns among free speech advocates.

The article questioned whether there's evidence of systemic racism in New Zealand's mental health sector - and the removal has attracted attention from around the globe.

Clinical psychologist Dr Kumari Valentine says the removal of the article was 'unprecedented'. 

"There's a difference between retraction and censorship. Retractions have an important role when there is fraud, plagiarism, major error or ethical misconduct. And that is usually identified earlier on in the peer review process. This is an article that has been peer reviewed and has been in the public domain for over a year." 

LISTEN ABOVE