Academic freedom is eroding under political pressure and institutional fear, and universities should defend free speech by treating controversy as a teaching opportunity instead of silencing dissent. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/01/08/world/college-cancel-culture-gets-worse/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #fire #academicfreedom #freespeech #universities #censorship #education