Obligation to answer makes questions/criticism cause damage unrelated to their content, so they are marginally more withheld or suppressed. If they won’t be withheld or suppressed, like in a debate, they still act as motivation to avoid getting into that situation. The cost has a use for signaling that you can easily provide answers, but it’s still a cost, higher for those who can’t easily provide answers or don’t value conveying that particular signal.
Obligation to answer makes questions/criticism cause damage unrelated to their content, so they are marginally more withheld or suppressed. If they won’t be withheld or suppressed, like in a debate, they still act as motivation to avoid getting into that situation. The cost has a use for signaling that you can easily provide answers, but it’s still a cost, higher for those who can’t easily provide answers or don’t value conveying that particular signal.