AIA Doubles Down Against Open Access

AIA President Elisabeth Bartman has responded to criticism about the AIA's opposition to legislation meant to guarantee open access to federally funded research.  See http://www.archaeological.org/news/8905

This criticism extends to AIA ranks.  Recently, Sebastian Heath, the AIA's Past Vice President for Professional Responsibilities, took the AIA to task here:  http://ancientworldbloggers.blogspot.com/2012/04/aia-and-open-access-response.html

The AIA claims it represents the public interest before the State Department's Cultural Property Advisory Committee and in lobbying before Congress.

If so, its publications-- particularly those funded through federal dollars-- should not be used as profit centers.  Instead, this research should made freely available to the public, and other fundraising efforts be used to ensure that the organization's publications program continues.