Academic Freedom
Academic freedom in the Arab world has been increasingly undermined and strained. Individually and collectively, the freedom to access, create and share knowledge to serve communities through research, documentation, discussion and creativity faces the challenges of censorship and heavy state interference.
Academic freedom doesn’t sit alone in societies but is part of the broader freedoms of expression exercised by artists, journalists, writers, and the public at large. Al-Fanar Media believes in the importance of researchers’ and academics’ personal autonomy and independence, as well as the significance of free speech and critical debate. We report on infringements of academic freedom in the Middle East and North Africa, the interference in the management of higher education institutions, the arrests of researchers, university staff and students. We also cover the efforts that governments and institutions are doing to preserve the right to academic freedom.
We hope through our articles to keep the discussion around academic freedom in the MENA region alive, to contribute to the reduction of censorship in higher education institutions and research.
Below are a series of articles and stories around the subject of academic freedom in the Arab world.
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Opinion
Self-Censorship in the University: A Breach of Academic Freedom
In a collective act of self-censorship, many academics today willingly cede the university’s unconditional freedom to investigate all ideas.
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Opinion
Why Professors in Algeria Have Given Up on Free Academic Inquiry
Professors in Algeria have learned that it's best to endorse the conventional wisdom and not ask new questions, a scholar…
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Opinion
When Self-Censorship Means Self-Protection
An Egyptian professor explains the complex motives behind her decision to limit her own freedom of expression.
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Opinion
Academic Self-Censorship Is a ‘Brain Drag’ on Arab Universities and Societies
Academic self-censorship not only hinders individuals’ intellectual output and creativity but comes at a cost to whole societies.
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News & Reports
Self-Censorship in Arab Higher Education: an Untold Problem
Arab professors routinely practice self-censorship, which limits academic discourse, a survey by Al-Fanar Media and Scholars at Risk found.
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Opinion
How Much Academic Freedom Should Students Have?
A history professor at an American university in Qatar explains how his students have free choice of media for their…
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News & Reports
Arab Region Scores Lowest in the World for Academic Freedom
The Academic Freedom Index paints a troubling picture of the state of academic freedom in the Arab world.
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News & Reports
Attacks on Yemeni Higher Education Highlighted in ‘Free to Think’ Report
The annual report documenting attacks on higher education and the freedom of academics details the toll the civil war in…
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