self–flag·el·la·tion 
/ˌsɛlfˌflæʤəˈleɪʃən/ noun
/ˌsɛlfˌflæʤəˈleɪʃən/ noun [noncount] : the act of hitting yourself with a whip as a way to punish yourself or as part of a religious ritual — often used figuratively ▪ journalists engaging in self-flagellation [=journalists cricitizing themselves very harshly]
