The story: Several academics have been expelled from top universities in Iran over their support of last year's anti-establishment protests. Adding fuel to the outrage, a prominent seat of learning has reportedly recruited conservative TV hosts whose credentials have been questioned. The expulsions have been condemned by Reformist media and figures, who accuse hardline authorities of embarking on a campaign of purging critics from universities.

The coverage: Five academics have been expelled from leading universities amid growing pressure on institutes of higher education following the nationwide anti-government protests last year.

• Iranian media on Aug. 24 reported that veteran historian Daryoush Rahmanian had been suspended by the University of Tehran.
  
  
• Two days later, Ali Sharifi Zarchi, a popular lecturer at...