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in support of free expression
The information presented here by the National
Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) may be freely redistributed in its entirety,
provided that readers are informed that the information was obtained from
NCAC's World Wide Web site and that credit is given to the appropriate source
of whatever information is used. Permission is expressly granted for the information
obtained to be made available for file transfer from installations offering
unrestricted anonymous file transfer on the Internet. Information found here
may not be sold for profit or incorporated in commercial documents without
the written permission from the National Coalition Against Censorship.
©Copyright 2005 NCAC
WEB DESIGN
Jeanne Criscola Criscola Design
free speech first amendment censorship
NCAC on "The Academic Bill of Rights"
NCAC opposes state legislative proposals popularly called the "Academic Bill of Rights," and has joined with the American Association of University Professors in the effort to defeat these bills in numerous states. The legislation is a wolf in sheep's clothing. As the AAUP has stated, the ABOR - which assumes the existence of "liberal" bias in higher education - "infringes (upon) academic freedom in the very act of purporting to protect it."
In the name of a "neutral" and "balanced" education, the ABOR would chill academic discourse on potentially all sensitive political and social topics. The proposed legislation is both unworkable as a practical matter, and conceptually misguided. It would theoretically require opposing viewpoints to be taught on every topic, regardless of their worth. For example, biology courses would have to present "intelligent design" alongside evolution. The bills promote a notion of "balance" of the Fox News variety: namely, that different perspectives must be presented, regardless of their merit or basis in fact. By associating "bias" with political affiliation, the approach also indirectly promotes a political litmus test for hiring, which would be plainly unconstitutional if adopted directly.
Join us in opposing this wrong-headed campaign, and in supporting true academic freedom.
Resources
» Read the AAUP's statement on the "Academic Bill of Rights"
» Read the "Academic Bill of Rights"
» Academic Assailed: Conservatives Seek "Balance" from Censorship News #97
» NCAC Statement to Ohio State Senate on SB 24, the proposal to adopt the ABOR
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