> the university get to publicize that they wanted to release the information but the scientist blocked it (thus casting suspicion on the scientist)? The situa

> the university get to publicize that they wanted to release the information but the scientist blocked it (thus casting suspicion on the scientist)? The situation without this rule, is that the university can and will release information that is in its interest and fail to release information that is not. This status quo is worse than what you are describing. The point is that this biased information about a private individual shouldn't be public information. If the private individual is lying or misrepresenting the situation, then take it to court: don't use their private information against them for public spectacle.