Both democracy and social science depend on open public communication. Sadly, Egypt’s government–or at least factions in that government–have declared themselves hostile to such openness. By launching a new attack on Saad Eddin Ibrahim, one of Egypt’s most distinguished social scientists and a leading advocate for democracy, these leaders have sought to deprive Egyptian citizens of both democracy and scientific knowledge.

The importance of free speech to democracy is well established. It is central to providing citizens with choices and the chance to understand their circumstances and the behavior of their government and other powerful forces in their lives.

But the opportunity to speak openly without fear of retribution is also vital to science. Where ideas cannot be exchanged and debated freely, it is harder to improve the quality of thought and knowledge. The Social Science Research Council has long supported both the academic freedom necessary to science and the public freedom necessary to bringing social science knowledge–and other necessary knowledge–to open discussion among citizens. Accordingly we must condemn the 2 August 2008 decision of an Egyptian court to sentence Dr. Ibrahim to prison. Fortunately the court acted in Dr. Ibrahim’s absence so the practical effect on him is exile not prison. The practical effect on Egypt is a further stifling of public communication.

The court condemned Dr. Ibrahim for “tarnishing Egypt’s reputation” but of course this is what the court itself, not Dr. Ibrahim, has done. We can only hope that at a time of difficulty and transition this does not reflect the will of the entire Egyptian government as we know it does not reflect the general will of the Egyptian people.

Indeed, many Egyptians have joined with international advocates for freedom of speech, association, and scholarship to condemn government acts of repression. The government has acted to stifle religious expression as well as scientific discussion. The defense of freedom reaches to many different kinds of ideas.

Egypt’s government is not alone in trying to protect the privilege and power of its own members by stifling the open communication of its scientists and its citizens. Censorship and prosecution are tools of many undemocratic governments. But it is important that all those who value science and knowledge, join with all those who value democracy to reject them.