US Naval Academy canceled author’s lecture that would have criticized book bans

CNN - Apr 19th, 2025
Open on CNN

The US Naval Academy canceled a lecture by author Ryan Holiday after he refused to remove slides from his presentation that criticized the academy's decision to remove nearly 400 books from its library. The decision to cancel occurred just an hour before Holiday was scheduled to present, as he would not comply with the academy's request to omit references to the book ban. The removal of the books was part of a broader effort by the academy to align with an executive order from President Donald Trump, which aimed to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion content from educational institutions. Holiday, who has previously spoken at the academy, planned to discuss themes of wisdom, courage, and critical thinking, highlighting the importance of engaging with diverse and challenging ideas.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions regarding censorship and educational content in military settings. Holiday expressed concern over the implications of such censorship on future military leaders, emphasizing the importance of independent thought and critical engagement with diverse viewpoints. The academy's actions are part of wider efforts across Defense Department institutions to comply with anti-DEI policies, resulting in the removal of various educational materials. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has since taken legal action against the Department of Defense, highlighting the broader national debate on educational content and freedom of speech within military and educational environments.

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RATING

7.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed and engaging account of the cancellation of Ryan Holiday's lecture at the US Naval Academy, focusing on issues of censorship and diversity in educational settings. It effectively presents Holiday's perspective and highlights the broader implications of anti-DEI policies, making it a timely and relevant piece.

The story's strengths lie in its clarity, readability, and engagement potential, drawing attention to a high-profile case with significant public interest. However, it would benefit from additional perspectives and official responses to provide a more balanced view and enhance its impact on public discourse.

Overall, the article is a well-structured and informative piece that effectively raises awareness about the tensions between political directives and educational freedom, contributing to ongoing debates about the role of diversity and inclusion in education and the military.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The news story presents a detailed account of the cancellation of Ryan Holiday's lecture at the US Naval Academy, aligning well with factual elements that can be verified. The claim that the lecture was canceled due to Holiday's refusal to remove slides about book bans is consistent with the accuracy check findings. The story accurately reports that nearly 400 books were removed from the academy's library, including works by Maya Angelou, as part of compliance with an executive order.

However, certain aspects require further verification, such as the specifics of the executive order by President Trump and its application to military academies. The article claims that the directive was extended by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a detail that needs confirmation. The story's accuracy is supported by direct quotes from Holiday and references to the New York Times database, enhancing its credibility.

The story's alignment with the accuracy check suggests a high level of factual accuracy, though it would benefit from additional verification of the executive order's language and scope, as well as the legal proceedings involving the ACLU.

7
Balance

The article primarily presents Ryan Holiday's perspective, focusing on his objections to the Naval Academy's actions and his views on censorship. It includes his direct quotes and rationale for refusing to alter his presentation. While this provides a clear understanding of Holiday's stance, the story lacks a comprehensive representation of the Naval Academy's or the Department of Defense's viewpoints.

The article mentions that CNN reached out to the Navy and the US Naval Academy for comment, but it does not provide any responses or justifications from these institutions, which would offer a more balanced perspective. Additionally, the story could benefit from including opinions from military education experts or students affected by the book bans to provide a broader range of views.

Overall, while the article effectively conveys Holiday's perspective, it would be more balanced with additional viewpoints from the Naval Academy and other stakeholders involved in the decision-making process.

9
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the sequence of events leading to the cancellation of Ryan Holiday's lecture. It uses straightforward language and provides a logical flow, making it easy for readers to understand the key points.

The narrative effectively combines quotes, background information, and context to paint a comprehensive picture of the situation. The inclusion of specific examples, such as the titles of banned books and quotes from Holiday's presentation, enhances clarity and helps illustrate the issues at hand.

Overall, the article's clarity is strong, with a coherent structure and clear language that facilitate comprehension. The story is accessible to a general audience, providing a clear understanding of the events and their implications.

8
Source quality

The story relies on credible sources, primarily featuring direct quotes from Ryan Holiday, which adds authenticity to his account of the events. CNN is the primary outlet reporting the story, known for its journalistic standards and credibility. The article also references a New York Times database for information on the banned books, further supporting its reliability.

However, the story would benefit from including more diverse sources, such as official statements from the Naval Academy or the Department of Defense, to corroborate the claims about the executive order and its implications. The absence of such sources leaves a gap in understanding the full context of the policy and its enforcement.

Overall, the source quality is strong due to the reliance on reputable media outlets and direct quotes, but it could be enhanced by incorporating a wider range of authoritative voices.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in presenting Ryan Holiday's perspective, clearly outlining his objections and the reasons for the cancellation of his lecture. It provides specific details about the content of his presentation and the context of the book bans at the Naval Academy.

However, the story lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to verify the claims about the executive order and its application to military academies. While it mentions reaching out to the Navy and the Naval Academy for comment, it does not disclose whether any responses were received or if further attempts were made to obtain official statements.

In terms of transparency, the article is clear about Holiday's position and the reported events, but it could improve by providing more information on the efforts made to verify the broader policy implications and responses from the involved institutions.

Sources

  1. https://www.threads.net/@adam_kinzinger/post/DIoUjIHsVXL/this-is-absolutely-wrong-the-naval-academy-cancelled-a-speech-by-a-well-known-an
  2. http://www.memeorandum.com/250419/p43
  3. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIoPvTUx4Y_/
  4. https://www.threads.net/@greatscottusa/post/DIoVLqNMwRd
  5. https://bsky.app/profile/adamkinzinger.bsky.social/post/3ln6atjxc7c25