… The case of Erik Ringmar, senior lecturer in government at the London School of Economics, shows how the limits of blogging are being explored in academe as in the outside world.

His unconventional speech to prospective students at an open day warned them that scholars tended to have their minds on research and not on teaching them - actual teaching would be done by PhD students.

He then compounded his offence in the eyes of the authorities by posting the speech on his blog, where it joined an article drawing questioning why so few foreign staff at the school were promoted to senior academic posts.

In the ensuing row he has been reprimanded. He says he feels "bullied" for exercising his freedom of speech and is calling for the university to draw up a "blogger's charter" to let academics and students know where they stand.



… Convenor of the department of government, Professor George Philip, accused him of "departing from the prepared message" - Dr Ringmar had refused to use the PowerPoint presentation provided.