Even Learning about it is Dangerous
In a past life, I went to a wonderful little university in London (not the one in the article, just a shameless plug). Many of my compatriots and the faculty were studying terrorism in one form or another. Which makes this all the more disturbing to me.
Academics have no “right” to research terrorist materials and they risk being prosecuted for doing so, the vice-chancellor of the University of Nottingham has told his staff.
In a statement issued to the university last week, Sir Colin Campbell says: “There is no ‘right’ to access and research terrorist materials. Those who do so run the risk of being investigated and prosecuted on terrorism charges. Equally, there is no ‘prohibition’ on accessing terrorist materials for the purpose of research. Those who do so are likely to be able to offer a defence to charges (although they may be held in custody for some time while the matter is investigated). This is the law and applies to all universities.” Link, via Boing Boing.
Open access to information and the free exchange of ideas are infinitely powerful tools for defeating any enemy. Nice to know we have decided not to make use of them.
Tags: Idiocy, War on Terror
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