Academic freedom deals with the concern that the faculty members’ freedom of inquiry is extremely vital as far as academics are concerned. Moreover, academic principles are vital, and scholars should possess the freedom to communicate and transfer facts and opinions.
In this regard, there should be free communication of facts and ideas that sound unpleasant to the authorities and political associations. Moreover, scholars should not be imprisoned, expelled from their jobs, or repressed.
The majority of academicians treasure the protections that are as a result of academic freedom. However, the protections’ limits are not defined clearly.
Many scholars believe that academic freedom gives them the right to comment on anything, anywhere, and to anyone, as well as partake in behaviors that a majority of the observers consider inappropriate in workplaces (Ekstrand and Wallmon 173).
It is worth noting that academic freedom is used as an excuse for uncollegial and abusive behavior.
The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights has the most widespread law concerning academic freedom. The committee makes a vivid distinction between institutional and individual academic freedom.
The United Nations Committee permits collective and individual academic freedom. This implies that there are no limitations regarding the transmission, development, and persuasion of ideas and information.
This can be achieved through writing, creation, production, documentation, discussion, study, teaching, and research.
The law permits scholars to possess the liberty to freely voice their opinions concerning the system and institution, carry out their activities in the absence of fear and discrimination from any actor, engage in representative and professional academic bodies, as well as enjoy globally recognized human freedoms.
However, it is worth noting that enjoying these academic freedoms goes along with certain obligations. For instance, partakers must respect the academic freedom of other people, promote fair deliberation of contrary opinions, and avoid all forms of discrimination.
The law stipulates that there are complexities as far as individual academic freedom is concerned. There is a need for autonomy in the higher institutions of learning to ensure academic freedom gratification.
In this regard, autonomy refers to the level of self- governance, which is required for successful decision- making regarding management, academic work, and standards.
There was the implementation of several academic bills between 2004 and 2008. A majority of these bills aimed at exposing students to videos and articles that dealt with evolutions (Liviu 509).
The law permits the formation of unions aimed at protecting the vulnerable academic freedom victims. For instance, the SAF (Students for Academic Freedom) started in 2001 to guard learners against stipulated liberal bias in learning institutions.
The organization gathered a wide array of statements from learners complaining that numerous professors were not adequately accountable.
Moreover, they always engaged in irrelevant controversial material during lesson time. The law should put it clear that tutors should avoid passing information from ideological points of view.
Academic freedom is only permitted in the higher institutions of learning (Nelson 74). The Court of Appeal puts more restrictions on individual academic freedom. Teachers gain academic freedom through adherence to school regulations.
Several academic freedom controversies can be found in the proposed laws. The controversies can influence huge masses of students. A majority of these cases deal with individual academicians where there is an expression of unpopular opinions and politically unfavorable knowledge.
Works Cited
Ekstrand, Lasse and Monika Wallmon “Dancing with the Devil? Notes on a Free University.” The International Journal of Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations 8.3 (2008): 171-174. Print.
Liviu, Andreescu. “Foundations of Academic Freedom: Making New Sense of Some Aging Arguments.” Studies in Philosophy and Education 28.6 (2009): 499-515. Print.
Nelson, Cary. No University Is an Island: Saving Academic Freedom. New York University Press, 2010. Print.