Does Harvard Have an Academic Freedom Problem?

From The Harvard Crimson: some would say Harvard has an academic freedom problem. That superstar professors censor themselves for fear of blowback, and that the world’s sharpest students are afraid to debate ideas.

But others disagree. This week on The Harvard Crimson’s Newstalk, Rahem D. Hamid '25 and J. Sellers Hill ’25 join host Frank S. Zhou ’26 to discuss the misunderstandings and dilemmas at the heart of Harvard's dance with free speech. What is the state of academic freedom at Harvard, today?

Mosaic news clips in this episode are excerpted from MSNBC, FOX News, and TVO today. 

Creators and Guests

Host

Frank S. Zhou

Founding Host and Co-Producer, Newstalk at The Harvard Crimson (heard in all 50 states, 110+ countries, 2024 ACP National Podcast of the Year)

Guest

J. Sellers Hill

College Administration Reporter, The Harvard Crimson

Guest

Rahem D. Hamid

FAS Administration Reporter, The Harvard Crimson

What is Harvard Newstalk?

Newstalk is The Harvard Crimson's flagship news podcast series. Join our reporters each week to hear the most important stories from the Harvard community and beyond. Streamed in all 50 states. Heard in 100+ countries. 2024 Associated Collegiate Press National Podcast of the Year.