FIRE has just released our newest video, Silencing U: Five Outrageous Cases of Campus Censorship. The video features five of the worst cases in FIRE history, including first-hand accounts of the extremes universities will go to just to silence ideas. From the story of Hayden Barnes, who was thrown off campus for a Facebook post, to the Orwellian thought-reform program at the University of Delaware, this eye-opening video brings to life the wide variety of threats to freedom on campuses across the country and how FIRE combats them.

Why should I host a screening?

As a CFN member (or someone who is considering joining), you probably have friends, classmates, and fellow group members who have never heard about FIRE and are unaware of the deeply troubling problem of censorship on campus. The more people who know the truth about the state of liberty on campus, the more powerful FIRE's fight for reform can be. That’s why we are offering 50 CFN Incentive Program points to any student who organizes a showing of the video. Just snap a few pictures at your event and send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You might even be featured on the FIRE website!

If you are interested in planning an alternate FIRE event, consider screening Indoctrinate U, a full-length documentary which also features FIRE cases. Or, invite a FIRE speaker to campus.

How can I organize a screening?

Be sure to reserve a room with a projector, screen, and internet access. The video is available on FIRE’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/thefireorg. Just like a speaking event, you can publicize the screening with a Facebook event and by sending out notifications to your friends and other groups on campus.

Who should watch?

You can organize the screening as a stand-alone event, present the video at one of your current group meetings, or plan a bigger event co-sponsored by several campus groups. However you decide to plan the screening, remember that this video is applicable to any student or student group. FIRE defends students all over the country and across the political spectrum. The presence of censorship on campus sets a dangerous precedent that makes all student speech vulnerable.

After the video is over, then what?

You can discuss the cases and how they relate to issues on your own campus. As the event organizer, you might find it helpful to familiarize yourself with the full facts of these five cases. You can find this information at the case pages linked below. There are also some recommended discussion questions, but you can come up with your own, too.

Also, check out FIRE’s website for information about your school. There may have been a case on your campus or somewhere nearby, and your school’s policies might be listed in FIRE’s Spotlight Database.

Finally, tell the group how to get more involved! If they are not already members of the CFN, encourage them to join at thecfn.org/register.

Further Information

For full details on all of the cases featured in “Silencing U,” check out these links:

Keith John Sampson, who was found guilty of racial harassment without a hearing for merely reading a book during his work breaks.

Thought reform at the University of Delaware, where students were subject to an ideological reeducation program that was referred to in the university's own materials as a "treatment" for students' incorrect attitudes and beliefs.

Hayden Barnes, who was expelled from Valdosta State University after he posted a collage on Facebook protesting the construction of a parking garage on campus.

Andre Massena, who was suspended and almost expelled from SUNY-Binghamton for putting up posters challenging the Department of Social Work.

Prof. KC Johnson, who faced a possible investigation by a Brooklyn College "Integrity Committee" for his constitutionally protected speech after publicly criticizing perceived indoctrination and viewpoint discrimination by faculty members.

Discussion Questions:

1. Had you heard of any of the cases featured in the video before?

2. How do you feel about these students and professors being censored and punished? How could these situations have been handled differently?

3. Have you seen any issues on our campus similar to the ones in the film? What happened?

4. What would you do if you were in the same situation as Keith, Andre, and Hayden, and were threatened with expulsion for expressing your opinion?

5. If you had to pick one, which do you consider to be the worst case and why?

6. What can we do to help students at our school who run into these sorts of problems on our campus?