The Ethics of Open Access to Research: A Call for Civil Disobedience and Moral Courage

Denise Troll Covey, Carnegie Mellon University

Abstract

This article explores the ideological context, official rhetoric, and rank-and-file behavior of authors and publishers in the movement to provide free online (open) access to scholarly journal articles. Analysis reveals transparency among authors and obfuscation among publishers. The core values and ethical principles of librarianship require librarians to stand with authors and to exercise and foster civil disobedience and moral courage in support of open access.