[LINK] Academics branded 'anti-US over FTA research'

[Alan L Tyree]

On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 13:18:32 +1000
Chris Maltby <chris at sw.oz.au> wrote:

<SNIP> 
> As far as I am aware Mr Fraser is still out there expressing his
> opinions.  But now he is doing it without the implication that his
> research and analysis is of sufficient standard to be attributed to an
> institution like Macquarie. I think this conclusion is indeed in the
> public interest, even though I disagree strongly with Fraser's views.

And my point was that the opinion of most of the people on this list
would be outraged if Fraser was given the same treatment for saying
that the Free Trade Agreement is a plot to disadvantage Australia, or
if he was given the same treatment for saying that global warming is a
serious problem or, indeed, for any of the other things that we usually
approve of.

My point is precisely that the propriety of limitations on free speech,
such as Macquarie muzzling Fraser or the CSIRO muzzling Pearman usually
depends upon the observer's view of the nature of the speech.

If I read your post correctly, and please forgive me if I did not, then
it would be equally as proper for CSIRO to impose conditions on Pearman
about speaking about the dangers of global warming. He would still be
free to speak, but post-restriction "he is doing it without the
implication that hisresearch and analysis is of sufficient standard to
be attributed to an institution like [CSIRO|Macquarie]."

I do not think that either action is warranted.

Alan

> 
> Chris
> 


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Alan L Tyree                    http://www2.austlii.edu.au/~alan
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