Controversy arose from perceived pro-Palestinian, potentially anti-Semitic content in Tabassum's speech.
Protests on campus with hundreds of students and faculty members.
Tabassum was not given reasons for being denied speaking opportunity.
USC cancels speeches of Jon M. Chu and Billie Jean King due to controversy over valedictorian Asna Tabassum's exclusion.
The University of Southern California (USC) has made headlines after cancelling the commencement speeches of several outside speakers, including filmmaker Jon M. Chu and tennis legend Billie Jean King, following a controversy over the denial of speaking rights to its valedictorian Asna Tabassum. The decision was made due to security concerns surrounding Tabassum's speech, which some perceived as pro-Palestinian and potentially anti-Semitic.
Tabassum, who had been selected as the valedictorian for the May 10 ceremony, was not given specific reasons for being denied the opportunity to speak. Her exclusion sparked protests on campus with hundreds of students and faculty members marching in silent demonstration, chanting
Jon M. Chu is a 2003 USC graduate who has directed films like ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and ‘Wicked.’
More than 65,000 people are expected to gather on campus for commencement, including 19,000 graduates.
Accuracy
University of Southern California (USC) cancelled valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech due to safety concerns related to her support for Palestinians.
USC announced the cancellation of filmmaker Jon M. Chu’s keynote speech at the May 10 commencement ceremony.
Valedictorian Asna Tabassum was not given specific reasons for being denied the right to speak at commencement and had spoken out on pro-Palestinian views and linked to posts on social media that were viewed as anti-Semitic.
USC initially announced Tabassum’s speech cancellation on April 15, citing substantial security and disruption risks related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and similar incidents at other campuses.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author uses the phrases 'highly publicized circumstances', 'controversial choice', 'condemnation from free speech groups and the Council on American-Islamic Relations', and 'campuses are expected to be further tested' which all carry an inflammatory tone. Additionally, the article quotes New York Mayor Eric Adams stating 'Students have a right to free speech but do not have a right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus.' This is an appeal to authority as it implies that the mayor's statement holds weight in determining what is acceptable speech on college campuses. No formal fallacies were found.
][The Israel-Hamas war has presented a challenge for colleges under pressure to preserve free speech and open debate,][] The university's decision was met with praise from pro-Israel organizations but condemnation from free speech groups and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
[Students have a right to free speech but do not have a right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus,]
Bias
(95%)
The article reports on the University of Southern California's decision to cancel the graduation speech of its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, due to her support for Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war. The article also mentions that filmmaker Jon M. Chu was scheduled to give the keynote address at the ceremony but was later cancelled. While there is no direct evidence of bias from the author in this article, there are several instances where language is used that could be perceived as depicting one side (Tabassum and her supporters) as extreme or unreasonable. For example, 'anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected [Tabassum] to a campaign of racist hatred' and 'several students involved in the protest said they also were suspended from Columbia and nearby Barnard College'. These statements could be perceived as exaggerating the situation and potentially biased. Additionally, there is a disproportionate number of quotes reflecting the perspective of those opposed to Tabassum speaking, with no counterbalancing quotes from those in support. This imbalance could also contribute to a perception of bias.
anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected [Tabassum] to a campaign of racist hatred
several students involved in the protest said they also were suspended from Columbia and nearby Barnard College
USC cancelled outside speakers and honorary degree recipients from participating in the main commencement ceremony due to a controversy over valedictorian Asna Tabassum being denied the right to speak.
Affected speakers included tennis legend Billie Jean King, filmmaker Jon M. Chu, Maria Rosario Jackson (head of the National Endowment for the Arts), and Marcia McNutt (president of the National Academy of Sciences).
Valedictorian Asna Tabassum was not given specific reasons for being denied the right to speak at commencement and had spoken out on pro-Palestinian views and linked to posts on social media that were viewed as anti-Semitic.
Students and faculty protested the decision with hundreds marching on campus.
Accuracy
, USC announced the cancellation of filmmaker Jon M. Chu’s keynote speech at the May 10 commencement ceremony.
Asna Tabassum was not given specific reasons for being denied the right to speak at commencement and had spoken out on pro-Palestinian views and linked to posts on social media that were viewed as anti-Semitic.
Asna Tabassum was not given specific reasons for being denied the right to speak at commencement.
USC is hosting 38 satellite ceremonies, five celebration events, and 65 receptions with no changes announced to those events.
Valedictorian Asna Tabassum was not allowed to speak at the ceremony due to safety concerns.
Hundreds of demonstrators protested on campus chanting 'Let her speak' after Tabassum's speech was cancelled.
Accuracy
USC cancelled valedictorian Asna Tabassum's speech due to security concerns related to her support for Palestinians.
Asna Tabassum was denied the chance to deliver her commencement speech at USC due to safety concerns.
University officials did not cite any specific threats regarding Tabassum's speech.
Deception
(30%)
The article engages in selective reporting by only mentioning the controversial aspects of the situation and ignoring context that could provide a more balanced perspective. The author also uses emotional manipulation by implying that Tabassum's speech was cancelled due to security concerns, when it is unclear whether this was the primary reason. Additionally, there is sensationalism in the title and body of the article.
USC has canceled all commencement speakers for this year’s graduation ceremony amid controversy surrounding the revocation of the university’s valedictorian speech.
The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.
Hundreds of USC students marched across campus in support of Tabassum and the right to deliver her speech.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority when she quotes USC's statement about the cancellation of the valedictorian's speech being for safety reasons. However, the author also provides evidence that Tabassum believes this was not the true reason and that her removal may have been due to her political views. This creates a contradiction and makes it unclear whether or not USC's statement is accurate. Additionally, there are instances of inflammatory rhetoric used by both sides in the controversy, including accusations of antisemitism and racism.
“After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement. While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety. This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation.”
“Because I am not aware of any specific threats against me or the university, because my request for the details underlying the university’s threat assessment has been denied, and because I am not being provided any increased safety to be able to speak at commencement, there remain serious doubts about whether USC’s decision to revoke my invitation to speak is made solely on the basis of safety.”
USC cancelled the commencement speech of its Muslim valedictorian Asna Tabassum due to security concerns.
Hundreds of demonstrators protested on campus chanting 'Let her speak' after Tabassum’s speech was cancelled.
Accuracy
]USC cancelled the commencement speech of its Muslim valedictorian Asna Tabassum due to security concerns.[
Asna Tabassum, a Muslim student, expressed support for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war and was met with praise from pro-Israel organizations but condemnation from free speech groups and CAIR.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The authors use language that depicts one side (USC and those opposing Tabassum's speech) as extreme or unreasonable by describing the 'alarming tenor' of discussions and the 'substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement'. They also quote Trojans for Israel accusing Tabassum of advocating for the 'complete abolishment of Israel', which could be perceived as a strong and divisive stance.
The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.
Trojans for Israel accused Tabassum of sharing a link in the bio of her Instagram page that calls Zionism a racist settler-colonial ideology and advocates for the complete abolishment of Israel.
Asna Tabassum is a Muslim student who expressed support for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war.
University officials are redesigning the entire commencement program, hoping to confer honorary degrees to outside speakers at a future ceremony.
Accuracy
The University of Southern California (USC) cancelled valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech due to safety concerns related to her support for Palestinians.
,
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The article reports on the University of Southern California's decision to cancel the graduation speech of a student due to safety concerns related to her support for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war. The author does not express any bias towards either side in the conflict. However, there is a disproportionate number of quotes and mentions of pro-Israel organizations praising the university's decision, which could be seen as favoring one side over the other. This imbalance in reporting could potentially skew readers' perceptions and create a biased narrative.
pro-Israel organizations praised the university's decision
several students involved in the protest were suspended from Columbia and nearby Barnard College
