The free press is one of the first institutes to be attacked, and unfortunately that is what we now see happening in the university democracy at our beloved Maastricht University. If there is one institute where freedom of expression is crucial, it is the university. This should be the pre-eminent safe space where you can really say anything. But it seems as if that is no longer the case. This strikes at the roots of our institute.
Freedom of press
In a positive article about a nice initiative by Feminist of Maastricht, independent weekly newspaper Observant decided to stick by their wording that “women menstruate” and not give in to external pressure and change it to “people menstruate”. That is an editorial choice. Observant itself determines what is printed in the columns of the newspaper and nobody else. That is the essence of freedom of the press. It is crucial for a well-functioning democracy, and the same applies to a university democracy. That is why the highest body in that democratic system – the University Council – should defend that freedom of press with all its might.
Quiet
But unfortunately, the University Council remains quiet now that it has come down to Observant’s editorial freedom in the menstruation case by not offering support. As far as we understand, even the council members representing the academic staff, whose permanent position should guarantee their independence, did not stand up for Observant’s freedom of press. If they don’t even feel safe enough to act according to their conscience, then this is the worst fear for the future.
Pressure group
The next step is that Feminists of Maastricht or some other pressure group with a monopoly on the absolute truth will declare certain subjects taboo for discussion in the Council, and subsequently taboo for academic research. Far-fetched? Who would have thought that the strongest democracy in the world would be undermined by a single president? It will die out if we don’t fight for it.
Piet Eichholtz, chairman of Observant’s editorial board
Erik Driessen, former chairman of Observant’s editorial board