Days after Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) sparked national ire by advising students not to discuss WikiLeaks on Facebook or Twitter, the school is walking back its remarks and embracing free speech.
In an email to students last week, SIPA’s Office of Career Services warned students that tweeting or posting about WikiLeaks on Facebook could endanger their job prospects with the federal government, according to an alumnus working at the U.S. State Department.
“[The alumnus] recommends that you DO NOT post links to these documents nor make comments on social media sites such as Facebook or through Twitter,” the Office of Career Services advised students in an email obtained last week by The Huffington Post. “Engaging in these activities would call into question your ability to deal with confidential information, which is part of most positions with the federal government.”
Indignant Americans took to Twitter last week to air their reactions to the prestigious institution’s chilling warning. More.