SAR Academic Freedom Media Review – September 22-28, 2012

I realize it is an idealistic view, but I believe passionately in the necessity of free intellectual inquiry.  It is the only way we arrive at truth. Only in the most extreme circumstances should it be compromised, for example to protect public safety. That is why I so strongly support the work of Scholars at Risk, and why I re-publish their weekly Academic Freedom Media Review every week. Even if all we do is call attention to abuses of academic freedom, we render a service. So read, re-post, or forward these messages. Visit the site of Scholars of Risk and find out more about the work.
Scholars at Risk monitors reports of threats to academic freedom and higher education communities worldwide, including media articles, blogs, opinion pieces and other announcements.  Unless otherwise indicated (such as in articles written by SAR), the language and views contained in the search results reflect those of the originating author and/or publication and do not necessarily represent the views of Scholars at Risk or its members, affiliates, board or staff. Archived media reviews are available here.

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Higher education mounts rescue efforts for Syrian students, scholars
Eileen Travers, University World News, 9/28
Scholars at Risk calls for letters on behalf of Busra Ersanli of Turkey
Scholars at Risk, 9/27
Women’s situation and human rights under militarisation of society: the case of Sri Lanka
Inge Erling Tesdal, University of Bergen, 9/27
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SAR Academic Freedom Media Review-June 16-22, 2012

Scholars at Risk monitors reports of threats to academic freedom and higher education communities worldwide, including media articles, blogs, opinion pieces and other announcements.  Unless otherwise indicated (such as in articles written by SAR), the language and views contained in the search results reflect those of the originating author and/or publication and do not necessarily represent the views of Scholars at Risk or its members, affiliates, board or staff. Archived media reviews are available here.

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Russian Professors Jailed For Selling Secrets To China
Radio Free Europe, 06/22
Scholars at Risk calls for letters on behalf of Mr. Abdolfattah Soltani of Iran
Scholars at Risk, 06/20
U. of Nebraska Professor Reportedly Is Detained While on Study-Abroad Trip to China
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 06/18
Anger Builds Over Dismissal of University of Virginia President
Richard Pérez-Peña, New York Times, 06/18
Khartoum University: heartbeat of the Sudanese revolution
Sudanese Online, 06/18
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SAR Academic Freedom Media Review, March 24 – 30, 2012

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.

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Civil society demands inquest into student’s death, more academic freedom
University World News, 3/30
Academics, journalists vow to work for freedom
Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation, Thailand, 3/29
Mixing politics and science doesn’t help students learn
R. Matthew Poteat, Newsleader, 3/29
Indian Police Round Up Tibetan Exiles Before Hu Visit
Voice of America, 3/28
Saudi Arabia: Stop Arbitrary Arrests, Travel Bans on Opposition
Human Rights Watch, 3/28
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Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Media Review – December 3-9, 2011

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.

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Kazakh University Students To Sue Over Hijab Ban
Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, 12/9

Russian Case Against Researcher Of Soviet Germans Closed
Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, 12/8

Postcards For Jailed Dissidents
Xin Yu, Radio Free Asia, 12/8

Over the Line
Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed, 12/8

Questions raised on Arab education
Iman Sherif, Gulf News, 12/8

Texas Argues Against Supreme Court Review of Its Use of Race in Admissions
Peter Schmidt, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 12/8

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Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Media Review, October 28-November 4, 2011

The 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.

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TURKEY 11/3/11: Ragip Zarakolu releases public letter from prison
PEN, 11/3
Russian Terror Law Has Unlikely Targets
Sophia Kishkovksy, The New York Times, 11/3
Climate change scientist Michael Mann fends off sceptic group’s raid on emails
Suzanne Goldenberg, The Guardian, 11/2
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Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Media Review, June 4 – 10, 2011

Scholars at Risk would like to draw attention to the killing of Dr. Maksud I. Sadikov, Rector of the Institute of Theology and International Relations in Russia. According to media reports Mr. Sadikov was shot to death in a car in Makhachkala, the capital of the Dagestan region, on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. The motives for this apparent assassination are not clear at this time but seem to relate to Dr. Sadikov’s efforts to promote moderate religious education in the region to counter terrorism and extremism in the Caucasus. Please see the following two articles for additional information relating to the killing of Dr. Sadikov:
Rector at Muslim University in Russia Is Shot to Death
Andrew E. Kramer, The New York Times, 6/7
Senior Dagestani Muslim Killed in a Hail of Bullets
Natalya Krainova, The Moscow Times, 6/8
Please find below a compilation of articles in the news media addressing academic freedom issues over the past week.

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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.
BC asks for Irish project secrecy
Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe, 6/9
Annual Report 2011 of the Network of Concerned Historians
Antoon De Baets, Network of Concerned Historians, 6/8
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SAR Academic Freedom Media Review: 26 February – 4 March 2011

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.
Censorship or a Mirage?
Steve Kolowich, Inside Higher Ed, 3/4
The man from Kyrgyzstan
Corydon Ireland, Harvard Gazette, 3/3
‘Suspect’ Offa letter threatens sector’s freedom
Rebecca Attwood, Times Higher Education, 3/3
Academic Freedom and the Corporate University
Bill Gleason, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 3/3
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Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Media Review

Academic Freedom Media Review
January 16 – 22, 2010

Compiled by Scholars at Risk
Controversial Visa Bans Lifted
Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed, 1/21
Free speech within reason
Constantine Sandis, The Times Higher Eductaion, 1/21
Scheme aims to help rebuild Iraqi academy through UK partnerships
John Morgan, The Times Higher Education, 1/21
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