Speak, by R. Baxter © All Rights Reserved
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
— from the Friends of Voltaire
When Laura Schlessinger quit her job this week, she made claims about violations of free speech and her first amendment rights. This is absurd. Her show is on commercial radio network. The First Amendment applies to the government infringing on free speech; a commercial network needs to think about the listeners or viewers, as well as the advertisers. Laura Schlessinger is free to use the “N-word” as much as she wants in the privacy of her own home, and speeches for organizations that share her views, or just out on the street if she’s prepared to deal with the consequences.
We can argue over whether Laura Schlessinger should lose her show or not, but not the fact is her freedom is not being compromised. If it were, I would be protesting, as would other civil rights advocates like the ACLU which has even argued in favor of the free speech rights of the KKK! Nearly everything that woman says is offensive to me, but she has the right to say it.
The fact is, she can still express herself publicly, by going to other networks, continuing to boradcast or publish in print and online, or standing outside with a bullhorn. Freedom of the Press is also guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The simple fact that she was immediately invited onto news talk shows to explain herself belies the argument that her freedom of speech is being compromised.
I am so easily frustrated by such absurd claims that free speech is being violated because I am aware of real violations like those below, people who can’t just switch to another network don’t lose a show, but they lose jobs. In some places they are imprisoned.
This is a review of articles relating to academic freedom, but freedom of speech is often an accompanying concern. It contains articles published between August 14-20 and is compiled by Scholars at Risk.
The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.
Israeli Professors Protest Calls for Increased Zionism in Teaching
Matthew Kalman, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 8/20
Scientists decry ‘unfair’ dismissal
Paul Jump, Times Higher Education, 8/19
Less pay, but no loss of prestige for academics
Matthew Rheisz, Times Higher Education, 8/19
Some Turkmen Students Allowed To Resume Studies In Kyrgyzstan
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 8/19
‘We Are All Shiva Nazar Ahari, Accuse Us Too’
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 8/19
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Jailed Iranian Student Leader Moved After Hunger Strike
Network for Education and Academic Rights, 8/19
Western Concern At Fate Of Sole Private Tajik University
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 8/18
THAILAND: Close watch on students’ ‘political’ plays
Yojana Sharma, University World News, 8/18
Kyrgyz Government Closes Uzbek Businessman’s University
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 8/18
Igor Sutyagin is odd man out in spy swap deal
Ian Black, The Guardian, 8/17
Groups file brief supporting U.Va. in case against Cuccinelli
Anita Kumar, The Washington Post, 8/17
Roping in the Tenured
Jennifer Epstein, Inside Higher Ed, 8/17
U.S. Said to Plan Easing Rules for Travel to Cuba
Ginger Thompson, The New York Times, 8/16
SWEDEN: EU probes ‘discriminatory’ student selection
Ard Jongsma, University World News, 8/15
Libyan Professor at Risk
Network for Educational and Academic Rights, 8/15