East Asian Law & Society, Co-Sponsored by Comparative Law

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In theory, academics can engage in intellectual debate, rigorous research, and open publication without fear of censorship, retaliation, or professional censure. Yet with the rise of illiberal politicians, and the retrenchment of authoritarianism in many parts of the world, academic freedom is sacrificed for political expediency. Scholars, journalists, and academics have been detained, sued under vague theories such as picking quarrels or posting negative information, and occasionally indicted under capacious interpretations of criminal defamation. This panel examines recent developments in China, Hong Kong and South Korea related to academic freedom.