'Censorial filters are unconstitutional': DeSantis' aim to control FL colleges' academic freedom worsens
A recently passed Florida Governor Ron Desantis-backed education bill has officially gotten "even worse," Reason reports.
The legislation, updated on Wednesday, was introduced last month by Florida GOP Rep. Alex Andrade, and seeks "to limit academic freedom in Florida's public colleges."
Reason reports:
The bill seeks to make several dramatic changes to Florida's public colleges. The legislation places restrictions on what faculty can teach and effectively eliminates tenure, making it easier to dismiss faculty who teach forbidden concepts. The law would also restrict what universities can promote in campus programs and activities.
READ MORE: Ron DeSantis's huge step toward academic control
This comes after DeSantis recently hand-picked six right-wing allies to sit on the board of Florida's New College "in an effort to move it in a more MAGA direction."
According to Reason, the governor originally proposed the bill "in January, stating in a press release that he hopes to align state higher education curriculum with the 'values of liberty and the Western tradition' by 'eliminating politicized bureaucracies like DEI.'"
Regarding additional updates to the legislation, Reason reports:
In the original language, the bill explicitly banned 'any major or minor in Critical Race Theory, Gender Studies, or Intersectionality, or any derivative major or minor of these belief systems.' Now, the bill bans 'any major or minor that is based on or otherwise utilizes pedagogical methodology associated with Critical Theory, including, but not limited to, Critical Race Theory, Critical Race Studies, Critical Ethnic Studies, Radical Feminist Theory, Radical Gender Theory, Queer Theory, Critical Social Justice, or Intersectionality.'
Furthermore, amid DeSantis' slew of anti-woke education antics, HuffPost reports an Axios reporter was recently fired for challenging an email he received from the Florida Department of Education.
According to HuffPost, the department's email read, "'In Case You Missed It,' followed by a message from the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) about a roundtable discussion the governor held on 'Exposing the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Scam in Higher Education.'"
READ MORE: IL Gov. blasts DeSantis and other 'demagogues who are pushing censorship'
Upon receipt of the email, Ben Montgomery emailed back, "This is propaganda, not a press release."
Vanity Fair staff writer Charlotte Klein shared the announcement of Montgomery's firing, tweeting: "News: Axios fired @gangrey on Monday over this email," to which Montgomery replied, "Some personal news: I made crepes this morning for the first time in years. Strawberry compote and whipped cream. They were delicious."
READ MORE: Florida parents consider fleeing the state over 'horrifying' DeSantis threat to eliminate AP courses
Reason's full report is available at this link. HuffPost's full report is here.
