South Africa: Lecturer Faces Dismissal for Media-Interview - Alert from Network for Education and Academic Rights
Fazel Khan, a sociology lecturer at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN), faces a disciplinary committee and possible a dismissal for an interview he gave to members of the media. The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), a member of IFEX reports this is not an isolated case. The Organisation informs that in the past six months, there seems to be a certain fear in the University Staff (Academics, Students and Workers) in challenging or criticising the university administration.
FACTS OF THE CASE: Mr Khan criticised an article regarding him published in the summer issue of Ukzndaba, a newsletter published by UKZN’s Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Department. For his words of criticism he has been called in front of a University’s disciplinary committee and, according, FXI, faces possible dismissal.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: It appears that, for the last six months, the University’s record, on preserving Academic Freedom is declining. FXI reports several incidents stating its case.
1. A recent report found that, “The executive management of the University of KwaZulu-Natal is not trusted by a significant number of faculty and staff to follow through on its promises or to honour its commitments,” (The Mercury, 25 September 2006). The report also found there was, at the university, a lack of consultation and a lack of meaningful communication; an authoritarian attitude; the privilege of position; intimidation and bullying; a lack of transparency and democratic procedures. The fact that such perceptions exist among staff should be extremely worrying - whether they are true or not. It is disconcerting in an institution that is supposed to be a bastion of free thinking when those who have the responsibility to foster such free thinking believe it to be authoritarian and bullying.
2. The refusal by the University Vice-Chancellor, Malegapuru Makgoba, to meet with representatives of the Student Solidarity Counselling and Appeals Committee and the Socialist Student Movement to discuss student exclusions simply because they had spoken to the media.
3. An email notice from Professor Dasarath Chetty, head of UKZN’s Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Department, in March 2006, to the university community informing them of the university’s intention to prevent them from speaking to the media about impending strike action by staff.
4. An academic from Rhodes University, Professor Jimi Adesina, being sued by Chetty for defamation for an email Adesina had sent out wherein he had criticised Chetty’s email notice to the university community (referred to in 3. above).
5. An email notice from Makgoba in August 2006, informing them that the “Senate resolved that all members of the University Community should exercise due care when communicating with the media, so as not to bring the University into disrepute.”
6. The UKZN “Electronic Communications Policy” which has been effective from January 2006. This policy is a gross violation of academic freedom and freedom of expression more generally. Apart from allowing the university to spy on individuals’ email correspondences, it also allows the university to read documents on staff members’ PCs. Further, it makes “illegal” any email and web content that “contains material that is unlawful or in violation of any University Policy including but not limited to pornographic, oppressive, racist, sexist, defamatory against any User or third party.” This is a severe restriction on academics conducting research on various aspects of racism, sexism, feminism, freedom of expression, etc.
7. A recent incident (The Mercury, 28 September 2006) when an academic was prevented by software the university IT department had installed on his computer from sending out emails because he had not assented to the “Electronic Communications Policy”.
FXI invites the University to withdraw all charges against Khan and to begin the process of transforming the fearful environment at the university URGENT NEAR cannot continue without your support. NEAR depends on the generosity of people like you. T
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