Cancellation of Naval Academy Lecture Sparks Concern Over Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy

The recent cancellation of a lecture at the United States Naval Academy by historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat has raised concerns over academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The event was cancelled following pressure from Republican lawmakers, who claimed that allowing her to speak would violate federal law and create an appearance of partisanship.

Ben-Ghiat, an expert on authoritarianism, had been invited to deliver the Bancroft Memorial Lecture, which she said would focus on "what happens to militaries under authoritarian rule." However, after Congressman Keith Self (R-TX) wrote to the Academy's superintendent, Admiral Yvette M. Davids, expressing concerns about the event, it was cancelled.

The controversy has sparked a debate over academic freedom and institutional autonomy, with some arguing that government officials should not be able to dictate what topics are discussed on campus. Others have suggested that the cancellation is necessary to maintain the Academy's independence and avoid even the appearance of partisanship.

Source: https://pen.org/press-release/cancellation-of-naval-academy-lecture-by-ruth-ben-ghiat-at-behest-of-republican-politicians-threatens-institutional-autonomy/