Texas A&M System makes Top 10 list, but the Aggies don’t agree with group’s rankings
The Texas A&M University System is among the 10 “worst censors” in the United States, according to a nonprofit group that promotes free speech and expression.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, known as FIRE, compiled a list that includes state officials, universities and school districts among the nation’s “worst censors.”
The Aggies made the list because the university bowed to pressure from its board and failed to hire journalism professor Kathleen McElroy, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pressured the university to suspend professor Joy Alonzo for criticizing him and West Texas A&M president Walter Wendler canceled a student org’s drag show.
A Texas A&M spokesperson wrote in a statement that the university does not agree with the free speech group’s findings.
“We obviously disagree. The Texas A&M University System is committed to free speech. In fact, just a few years ago FIRE was giving A&M awards for protecting free speech. But they turned so hard to the left we don’t think they are credible anymore.”
The list includes the police raid of a small town newspaper, canceling students and professors for their views on the Israel-Hamas war, and retroactively censoring famous authors without their consent.
“This year’s list goes to show that no one is safe from the possibility of censorship,” said FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff. “Americans of all ages and professions are being pushed into a corner when trying to express themselves freely: Shut up or be shut up.”
