2024 Declared the Worst Year for Free Speech on College Campuses

The alarming trend regarding free speech on college campuses has reached a new low, with 2024 now recognized as the worst year on record. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has been tracking incidents of speakers being disinvited, performances being canceled, art exhibits being taken down, and films being barred from screening since 1998. Data from their Campus Deplatforming Database shows a troubling increase in such occurrences, with the number of deplatforming attempts rising from 156 in 2023 to 164 in 2024.

Georgetown University leads this year's list with an astonishing 43 deplatforming attempts, followed by Harvard and UC Berkeley with 28 and 26 attempts respectively. The issue of free speech is not confined to elite institutions; incidents have occurred at various universities across the country. For example, students at Pace University disrupted a panel discussion, while East Tennessee State University implemented restrictive measures for viewing an art exhibit. Furthermore, Binghamton University canceled an interview with a prominent professor just before it was set to air, underscoring the pervasive nature of these issues.

A recent survey conducted by FIRE reveals an alarming level of self-censorship among faculty, with nearly 35% acknowledging they have suppressed their expressions out of fear for potential backlash—this figure is notably worse than during the peak of McCarthyism. Additionally, 14% of faculty reported facing disciplinary threats related to their academic work, and many expressed concerns about their reputations and job security due to potential misunderstandings or criticisms from students and colleagues. The anxiety prevails to the extent that some faculty felt compelled to request anonymity while participating in the survey or refrained from responding altogether, even when assured their identities would remain private.

Despite the grim realities of 2024, there are signs of a hopeful turnaround. Some institutions, including MIT and Harvard, are beginning to reject diversity and equity statements that could restrict free speech. Other universities are embracing a commitment to institutional neutrality, aligning with the Chicago Statement's advocacy for robust freedom of speech. The growing discourse surrounding these issues, as seen in media coverage and public discussions, may signal a shift in attitudes toward preserving free speech on campuses.

Although 2024 marks a significant deterioration in free speech protections within academia, advocates remain optimistic that efforts could mitigate further declines in 2025. The hope is that by addressing these pressing concerns, progress can eventually lead to an environment where free expression flourishes within higher education institutions.