Judge Sides with UF Professors in Academic Freedom Case
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The Facts
A judge has issued a preliminary ruling in favor of six University of Florida professors in a suit focused on academic freedom.
The professors sued UF after it prohibited them from serving as expert witnesses, or 'friends of the court', in cases that challenged state policies on e.g. voting and mask mandates.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Academic freedom, and free speech more generally, are crucial pillars of democracy. UF attempted to shut these down to silence speech inconvenient to the state's Republican administration.
Republican narrative
This was not about academic freedom; UF employees were using the university's prestige and the state's time and resources to advocate for their personal political views. It's unacceptable for taxpayers to have to shoulder that burden.