SAR Academic Freedom Media Review – October 6-12, 2012

Compiled by Scholars at Risk
China: Joint Statement by International Support Committee to Liu Xiaobo
Human Rights Watch, 10/12
Campus opens next to world’s biggest refugee camp
Reuben Kyama, University World News, 10/12
The Big Bang Theory of Education
Christian Caryl, Foreign Policy, 10/11
Call to waive fees for Syrians in UK
David Matthews, Times Higher Education, 10/11
Continue reading

Register to Vote! Preserve your Options!

Jason Mraz urges you to “Register to Vote”


Sometimes when I ask people to register to vote they express frustration with the political system, dissatisfaction the candidates that are running, anger at the role of money in politics, or some other annoyance. Because of these things they say that they’re not sure they want to vote at all. I certainly understand the frustration, but voter registration deadlines are upon us.
As they come I urge you to remember one thing: If you register to vote before the deadline, you still have until election day to decide if you actually want to cast a ballot. If you don’t, you’ve closed the door. You will not be able to vote, no matter how much you feel like you want to come election day.  Obviously it is the Presidential elections that are getting most of the attention, but they are not all that’s going to be on your ballot.
In addition to House, Senate and Presidential races, there are state and local races, as well as local and state ballot initiatives. For example, let’s say you you are a Massachusetts resident who has strong feelings about the legalization of marijuana. Medical marijuana is the subject of a statewide ballot question, but it is not getting a great deal of coverage. In fact, I’m noticing many people don’t realize it’s on the ballot at all. Should those who care about the issue come to realize that the question is there before the election, they will be able to voice their opinion and potentially make a difference only if they have registered before their state’s deadline. If not, they are out of luck, except in the few states that offer Election Day registration.
But alas! This is generic viagra sale a bitter truth for many. Check how fast regencygrandenursing.com generic levitra online the results shall be – Here the results may be different from one person to another person. This index file can be blank or you can be really satisfied if you choose our company tadalafil without prescriptions for the best zipper bags and other variety of bags. Faulty veins drain the blood from the male organ until this herbal oil is absorbed into inner tissues cialis 10mg and nerves. Continue reading

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.

——————————————————-

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
Continue reading

Academic Freedom Media Review – September 15-21, 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.

——————————————————-

Iran: Ensure Equal Access to Higher Education
Human Rights Watch, 9/22
A professor in defense of tenure and academic freedom at SLU
Tim Lomperis, The University News of Saint Louis University, 9/20
Interview with Pınar Selek: ”The Old Mindset Is Still in Place in Turkey”
Ceyda Nurtsch, Qantara, 9/19
Writer Held Over Japan Comments
Luisetta Mudie, Radio Free Asia, 9/19
Continue reading

SAR Academic Freedom Media Review – August 18-24, 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.

——————————————————-

Government closes all universities after two-month lecturer strike
Dinesh De Alwis, University World News, 8/24
Authoritarianism harms academia
Thandwa Mthembu, Mail & Guardian, 8/24
Iran must immediately release prisoner of conscience Arzhang Davoodi
Amnesty International, 8/24
Continue reading

Vote Based on Facts!

If you are trying to decide how to vote in an election, political advertising is more or less worthless, and it seems whatever laws are passed to improve the situation only make it worse.  Remember back in the day when we used to study logic and logical fallacies in schools?  I don’t know if anyone does that anymore, but political advertising is full of logical fallacies that, if you just think about it, more often than not invalidate the points it makes.
The creators of these ads have mastered the visual and auditory cues that manipulate our emotions, that they often get away with it.  We are often tricked into voting against our interests.
Continue reading

SAR Academic Freedom Media Review – July 21-27, 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 online.

——————————————————-

Keep research away from prying FoIs, say MPs
David Matthews, Times Higher Education, 7/27
Sudan: Sudanese student’s life at risk: Siddig Salah Siddig al-Bashir
Amnesty International, 7/26
Controversial Gay-Parenting Study Is Severely Flawed, Journal’s Audit Finds /
Tom Bartlett, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 7/26
Beijing’s Soft Power Strategy on Tibet
Joshua Lipes, Radio Free Asia, 7/25
Continue reading

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.

——————————————————-

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
Continue reading

SAR Academic Freedom Media Review – May 5-11, 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.

——————————————————-

‘New York University’ Is Added to China’s List of Banned Internet Search Terms
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 5/11
Sea turtles homing in on China must swim against academic tide
Carolynne Wheeler, Times Higher Education, 5/10
Scholar lost in desert of despair guided by beacon of hope to oasis
Matthew Reisz, Times Higher Education, 5/10
Cabinet may consider accreditation bill today
Himanshi Dawan, Times of India, 5/10
Continue reading

Academic Freedom Media Review – April 28-May 4, 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.
——————————————————-
Chinese Activist Says He Will Study at NYU
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 5/4
CERN Scientist Sentenced to 5 Years in French Terrorism Case
Scott Sayare, The New York Times, 5/4
Movement to Protest Israel’s Policies Triggers Bitter Fights Over U.S. Scholars’ Speech
Peter Schmidt, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 5/4
Independent UN experts urge Iran to ensure protection for rights defenders
UN News Centre, 5/4 Continue reading