Issued by Norsk Medieforskerlag, SMiD, Mevi, and FSMK – June 2025
We, the Nordic associations for media and communication research—Norsk Medieforskerlag, SMiD, Mevi, and FSMK—are deeply concerned by the accelerating global decline in academic freedom and the mounting pressures on freedom of education.
According to the Academic Freedom Index Update 2025, academic freedom is in retreat in more countries today than at any time in the past two decades. Researchers and educators face censorship, intimidation, loss of institutional autonomy, and restrictions on what can be taught, studied, or published. Even in established democracies, we have witnessed attempts to limit scholarly autonomy—through legislative restrictions, funding threats, or ideological mandates—that undermine the integrity and independence of research and education.
Such developments represent a profound threat to the core mission of higher education: to pursue scientific knowledge, foster critical inquiry, and educate citizens. Academic freedom and freedom of education are not privileges but essential rights that enable scholars and students alike to question, explore, and contribute with knowledge without fear of retribution or suppression.
As media and communication scholars, we are particularly attuned to the relationship between academic freedom, public discourse, and democracy. When research is silenced or manipulated, public understanding suffers. When educators are prevented from addressing complex or contested issues, students are denied the opportunity to think critically and engage meaningfully with the world around them. The erosion of academic freedom is not only an attack on scholars – it is an attack on society’s ability to reflect, self-correct, and innovate.
We therefore reaffirm the principles that guide our work:
- The freedom to research and publish without censorship or undue influence.
- The freedom to teach and learn, grounded in open dialogue and critical thinking.
- The autonomy of academic institutions, protected from political or commercial interference.
- The responsibility to engage with society through independent scholarship and public communication.
We stand in solidarity with colleagues around the world who are experiencing their academic freedom being threatened. The Nordic countries have long championed democratic values, freedom of expression, and robust public institutions. We must continue to safeguard these principles, not only at home but also through global collaboration and solidarity. The vitality of academic freedom—and the future of democratic knowledge societies—depends on our shared commitment to uphold them.
Norsk Medieforskerlag
SMiD – Selskabet for Medieret og Kommunikation
Mevi – Media- ja viestintätieteellinen seura
FSMK – Föreningen för Svensk Medie- och Kommunikationsforskning