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Greg: Brandeis’ Censorship Problem Didn’t Begin with Hirsi Ali
Last week, Brandeis University reversed its decision to grant an honorary degree to women’s rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali because of her criticism of Islam. It is unfortunate that Brandeis’ class of 2014 was denied the opportunity to hear Hirsi Ali speak at commencement, but the controversy is a symptom of a much deeper problem—both at Brandeis and across the country. FIRE President Greg Lukianoff puts the incident in context in an article for The Huffington Post today with a reminder of Brandeis’ worrying past on free speech issues and of what’s at stake for the future.
Recent Articles
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Texas A&M to philosophy professor: Nix Plato or be reassigned
Texas A&M philosophy professor Martin Peterson has a choice: Drop readings related to race and gender — including ones by Plato — from his course, or face reassignment.
Morgan State says cut the cameras, stop the presses
Morgan State muzzles its own student press, banning interviews with faculty and filming in public spaces unless admins say otherwise. But that's placing a prior restraint on the fourth estate, and a violation of the First Amendment.
The worst of both worlds for campus free speech
The biggest threat to speech used to come from within higher ed. Now it’s the government.
Duke shows what not to do when feds come knocking
Imposing a restraint — even an implicit one — on what employees can say to the media makes Duke a liar, belying its posturing as a university committed to open discourse.