"Virtually No Institution of Higher Learning is Safe"

"Virtually No Institution of Higher Learning is Safe"

From Banished by Amna Khalid & Jeff Snyder

May 12, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

Amna discusses the threats to free speech and academic freedom on U.S. campuses with experts from PEN America.

In January this year, PEN America released its most recent annual report, Expanding the Web of Control: America's Censored Campuses 2025 . It provides a meticulous analysis of the threats to free speech and academic freedom on U.S. campuses. Amna spoke with Jonathan Friedman, Director of U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America and Amy Reid, Program Director for PEN America's Freedom to Learn Program, about why 2025 was such a catastrophic year for higher ed. Show notes * Pen America’s report: Expanding the Web of Control: America’s Censored Campuses 2025 * Trouble Ahead : PEN America's Jeremy Young on What Trump 2.0 Portends for Higher Education This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit banished.substack.com/subscribe

People in this episode

Hosts: Amna Khalid, Jeff Snyder

Guests: Jonathan Friedman, Amy Reid

Topics covered

  • free speech
  • academic freedom
  • higher education
  • censorship
  • PEN America
  • 2025 report

Keywords

  • free speech
  • academic freedom
  • censorship
  • PEN America
  • higher education
  • 2025 report

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PEN America

Books & works: Expanding the Web of Control: America's Censored Campuses 2025

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