Karma Chávez on Academic Freedom, Alex Main on War on Cuba?

Karma Chávez on Academic Freedom, Alex Main on War on Cuba?

From FAIR by Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting

May 22, 2026 · 28 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges to academic freedom and the historical context of US policy towards Cuba.

  https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260522.mp3 Right-click here to download this episode (“Save link as…”).   Texas Tribune ( 5/20/26 ) This week on CounterSpin : You may have seen videos of college commencement speakers telling students who’ve spent time and money learning how to read, write and think critically that that was dumb, cuz AI is going to be doing that from now on, so just get on the train or else—wait, why are you booing? That’s far from the only disconnect between students and teachers who think higher education means engagement with a range of perspectives, and right-wing politicians and their administrative acolytes saying “not so fast.” We’ll hear from Karma Chávez , professor at the University of Texas at Austin, at the center of this assault on academic freedoms . https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260522Chavez.mp3   CEPR ( 3/10/26 ) Also on the show: There is a US State Department memo that calls for “a line of action which, while as adroit and inconspicuous as possible, makes the greatest inroads in denying money and…

People in this episode

Guest: Karma Chávez

Topics covered

  • academic freedom
  • higher education
  • political commentary
  • Cuba
  • media criticism

Keywords

  • academic freedom
  • Cuba
  • US State Department
  • politics
  • higher education
  • media criticism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Texas at Austin, US State Department

Places: Cuba

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