Press Room

The voting members of the EC have unanimously supported this letter.

The events leading up to the censoring and dismissal of the President’s Address at the 2023 Annual Convention occurred among a few individuals without the advanced knowledge or consent of the National Communication Association Executive Committee. The Executive Committee unanimously extends its deepest apologies to the seven performers who invested time, energy, and effort in preparing to share their visions of the future of NCA and the communication discipline, especially to Dr. Ahlam Muhtaseb. We also recognize and apologize for the harm caused to President Walid Afifi and First Vice President Marnel Niles Goins. The Executive Committee also expresses regret to our Association members who missed an opportunity to learn from the public address of their peers at this year’s convention.

The Executive Committee is actively ascertaining the series of interactions that contributed to the censoring and dismissal, and we remain steadfast in being a transparent example of bridging open dialogue across difference. NCA welcomes all forms and all topics of communication inquiry as we remain an Association committed to transforming lives through communication. The Executive Committee will continue to be in touch with our Association members concerning these events. We will consult with the membership to institute a series of measures to prevent future violations of our commitments to free speech and academic freedom.