Post 5: 9/11 Conspiracy Theory & Intellectual Freedom

This case isn’t very recent, but I thought it was interesting. In 2006, Brigham Young University (which happens to be my alma mater) placed Physics professor Steven Jones on paid administrative leave after he made statements supporting the 9/11 truth movement. Dr. Jones published a paper and gave several speeches asserting that the World Trade Center towers collapsed because of demolition charges and suggesting that the US government may have been involved. At the time Dr. Jones was placed on leave, the university made this statement:

Physics professor Steven Jones has made numerous statements about the collapse of the World Trade Center. BYU has repeatedly said that it does not endorse assertions made by individual faculty. We are, however, concerned about the increasingly speculative and accusatory nature of these statements by Dr. Jones. Furthermore, BYU remains concerned that Dr. Jones' work on this topic has not been published in appropriate scientific venues. Owing to these issues, as well as others, the university has placed Dr. Jones on leave while we continue to review these matters.

Dr. Jones, who had taught at BYU for twenty years, ended up retiring shortly after being placed on leave. You can read more about this story here and here.  The American Association of University Professors and The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education were quick to criticize BYU's actions as a violation of intellecutal freedom.  What do you guys think?  Should Dr. Jones have been free to speak and write about his theory without facing repercussions from BYU?