Table of Contents
Today’s ‘Campus Alert’: Don’t Joke at Tufts
Today’s installment of our weekly Campus Alert column in the New York Post focuses on the recent controversy at Tufts University, where conservative student journalists have been found guilty of “harassment” and “creating a hostile environment” for publishing two satirical articles that offended African-American and Muslim students.Torch readers are undoubtedly familiar with FIRE’s efforts in this case, which began with two satirical articles in The Primary Source (TPS) that are prime examples of controversial yet constitutionally protected speech. First, TPS printed a satirical Christmas carol called “Oh Come All Ye Black Folk,” mocking race-based admissions policies at Tufts. Four months later, a student filed “harassment” charges against the paper. TPS also ran a criticism of Tufts’ “Islamic Awareness Week” by reporting examples of brutality in Islamic societies, such as the oppression of women and homosexuals. Tufts claimed the article “targeted” Muslim students. As today’s Campus Alert states:
It is no surprise that the satire amused some students and offended others—which is often the point of satire and why it garners such strong protection under the First Amendment. To call satire of controversial issues “harassment” woefully ignores the legal definition of that term and makes a mockery of actual harassment. The abuse of “harassment” rationales to punish those who offend the wrong students or administrators has been all-too-common for decades now on campuses. Tufts’ actions here completely contradict its strong promises of freedom of speech. Tufts administrators might think they are helping students by protecting them from expression that—despite being perceptive or funny—offends in some way. But Tufts has done its students a disservice by insulating them from free speech.
FIRE is calling on Tufts President Lawrence Bacow to overturn this decision against TPS, and we will be watching the case very closely to ensure a just end.
Recent Articles
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.
![Black outline image of the state of Texas in the background with an internet search engine bar over it.](/sites/default/files/styles/334x250/public/2024/08/Texas%20SCOPE%20Act%20Lawsuit%20Featured%20Image%20August%202024.jpg.webp?itok=xr6cSE6M)
Nope to SCOPE: FIRE sues to block Texas’ unconstitutional internet age verification law
![Columbia University President Minouche Shafik testifies before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on campus antisemitism on April 17, 2024](/sites/default/files/styles/334x250/public/2024/08/Columbia%20University%20President%20Minouche%20Shafik%20testifies%20before%20the%20House%20Committee%20on%20Education%20and%20the%20Workforce%20hearing%20on%20campus%20antisemitism%20April%2017%202024.jpg.webp?itok=NIdXc-4m)
Columbia president resigns: Can this conflict-ridden school shape up on free speech?
![Politico Logo on a mobile screen](/sites/default/files/styles/334x250/public/2024/08/Politico%20logo%20on%20a%20mobile%20screen.jpg.webp?itok=MPnJRrQC)
Trump can’t stop Politico from disclosing info allegedly stolen by hackers
![The Olympic Rings installed on the Eiffel Tower ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games](/sites/default/files/styles/334x250/public/2024/08/The%20Olympic%20Rings%20installed%20on%20the%20Eiffel%20Tower%20ahead%20of%20the%20Paris%202024%20Olympic%20Games%20.jpg.webp?itok=VxRylzHv)