--- title: "Nathan Cofnas suspended by Ghent University after accusing Jason Arday of plagiarism" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/media/nathan-cofnas-suspended-by-ghent-university-after-accusing-jason-arday-of-plagia" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/nathan-cofnas-suspended-by-ghent-university-after-accusing-jason-arday-of-plagia" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/nathan-cofnas-suspended-by-ghent-university-after-accusing-jason-arday-of-plagia.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/nathan-cofnas-suspended-by-ghent-university-after-accusing-jason-arday-of-plagia" category: "Media" area: "European Union" published: "2026-08-20T18:06:05.080Z" source_reported: "2026-08-20T17:18:58.926Z" updated: "2026-08-20T18:06:05.080Z" trust_score: 78 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 25 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-20T19:00:41.223955+00:00" --- # Nathan Cofnas suspended by Ghent University after accusing Jason Arday of plagiarism *The US researcher announced his suspension on social media after Ghent opened a disciplinary inquiry into his conduct* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 78 of 100, higher is better. 29 digests agree Ghent suspended Cofnas; La Presse names sources and documents. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Full report quotes affected parties; digests lack context. - Hype 25 of 100, lower is better. Most digests use measured language; a few frame Cofnas negatively. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Ghent University suspended Nathan Cofnas, a researcher who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism, pending a disciplinary inquiry. - Cofnas announced his suspension on social media platform X, stating he expected to be dismissed. - Arday, the youngest Black professor at Cambridge, died in mid-August after resigning amid plagiarism allegations. - The university described Arday’s death as shocking and called for reflection on how academics treat one another. Ghent University suspended Nathan Cofnas, a US researcher, after opening a disciplinary inquiry into his conduct. Cofnas, who had accused the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, announced his suspension on social media platform X on 20 August 2026. He wrote that he expected to be dismissed. The university confirmed the suspension in a statement, describing it as a preventive measure while it assessed whether to refer the case to a disciplinary body. Ghent did not name Cofnas explicitly but referred to a researcher facing allegations. The inquiry follows Cofnas’s public accusations against Arday, which gained traction in British media in July 2026. Jason Arday, who became Cambridge’s youngest Black professor in 2023, resigned in August 2026 amid plagiarism allegations. He was found dead at his home in mid-August. His family described his death as the result of a "campaign of harassment" and called for an investigation into what they termed "media harassment". Cofnas, who describes himself as a "race realist", was dismissed from Cambridge in 2024. He had previously published an article alleging widespread plagiarism in Arday’s work. The allegations reignited earlier claims against Arday, which he had denied. ## What the reports disagree on The reports differ on the reason for Cofnas’s suspension. La Presse reported that Ghent University opened a disciplinary inquiry into Cofnas’s conduct. Reuters and WTVB stated that Cofnas was under investigation for discrimination. Naftemporiki described the suspension as a dismissal, while NOS reported that the university considered Cofnas’s statements "very serious" but did not specify the outcome. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned that Cofnas was previously dismissed from Cambridge in 2024. None of the centre-rated digests quoted Ghent University’s rector calling Arday’s death shocking or calling for reflection on academic conduct. None of the left-rated digests mentioned that Cofnas claimed he was suspended for discriminating against Arday. ## Who covered it Shares of the 32 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 30% (10) - Centre: 22% (8) - Right: 48% (14) 10 of 42 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-20T19:00:41.223955+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-20T19:30:42.127Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The seven left-rated digests led on Ghent University’s suspension of Cofnas and the context of Arday’s death. Liberation and NRC Handelsblad noted Cofnas’s self-description as a "race realist". La Vanguardia described Cofnas’s statements as questioning "the intellectual capacity of Black people". La Presse quoted Ghent University’s rector calling Arday’s death shocking and a prompt for reflection on academic conduct. - La Presse’s full report carried Cofnas’s statement on X: "I have just been suspended by Ghent University. I am pretty sure they are going to fire me." It also quoted the university’s statement that the suspension was preventive while it assessed whether to refer the case to a disciplinary body. ### Centre - The five centre-rated digests focused on the suspension and the disciplinary inquiry. La Libre and RTÉ led with the university’s confirmation of the suspension. Reuters and WTVB reported that Cofnas was under investigation for discrimination. VRT described Cofnas as a "controversial postdoctoral researcher" and linked the suspension to Arday’s death. ### Right - The nine right-rated digests framed the suspension as a consequence of Cofnas exposing Arday’s alleged plagiarism. Breitbart and Gript described Cofnas as having "exposed" or "uncovered" a scandal. USSANews and Apollo News used the word "fraud" in their headlines. LBC reported that Cofnas claimed he was suspended "for discriminating against Arday". - The Times of India and The Straits Times led with the university’s announcement of "appropriate action" against Cofnas. NOS reported that the university considered Cofnas’s statements "very serious" but did not specify the outcome. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 7 - high: 19 - unknown: 10 - veryHigh: 5 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Zeit Online](https://zeit.de/gesellschaft/2026-08/jason-arday-cambridge-nathan-cofnas-plagiat-mobbing) — Cambridge Professor Jason Arday: University Suspends Employees After Plagiarism Accusation Against Jason Arday - [The Journal](https://thejournal.ie/professor-suspended-jason-arday-plagiarism-charges-7137333-Aug2026) — University suspends 'race realist' behind Jason Arday plagiarism charges - [Globo](https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2026/08/20/academico-que-acusou-professor-de-cambridge-de-plagio-e-suspenso-por-sua-universidade-na-belgica.ghtml) — Academic Who Accused Plagiarism Teacher Is Suspended in Belgium - [NZ Herald](https://nzherald.co.nz/world/university-suspends-academic-behind-jason-arday-plagiarism-charges/FGO4KIYIHZCHRLREQCO2ERCTQU) — University suspends academic behind Jason Arday plagiarism charges - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/europe/belgian-university-suspends-academic-who-accused-late-cambridge-professor-of-plagiarism/4033214) — Belgian university suspends academic who accused late Cambridge professor of plagiarism - [De Morgen](https://demorgen.be/nieuws/hoe-de-ugent-dan-toch-actie-ondernam-tegen-de-omstreden-onderzoeker-nathan-cofnas~b3b216bf) — How Ghent University Eventually Took Action Against the Controversial Researcher Nathan Cofnas - [La Nación, Grupo Nación](https://nacion.com/el-mundo/universidad-belga-suspende-a-academico-detras-de/H5WHAKHPO5AYHMEH3OML4EV5QY/story) — Belgian University Suspends Academical Behind Accusations of Former Cambridge Professor Jason Arday - [BBC News](https://bbc.com/news/articles/cevmrjd9lj1o) — Academic who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism suspended by university - [Liberation](https://liberation.fr/international/europe/mort-de-lenseignant-de-cambridge-jason-arday-luniversite-de-gand-suspend-le-chercheur-qui-la-accuse-de-plagiat-20260820_BJLBAF5MSFBSHMVLHL4QMNQ4MY) — Death of Cambridge Teacher Jason Arday: University of Ghent Suspends the Researcher Who Accused Him of Plagiarism - [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/08/20/mort-de-jason-arday-l-universite-de-gand-suspend-le-chercheur-ayant-accuse-de-plagiat-le-jeune-professeur-de-cambridge_6751130_3210.html) — Death of Jason Arday: The University of Ghent Suspends the Researcher Who Accused the Young Cambridge Professor of Plagiarism - [lagostelevision.com](https://lagostelevision.com/academic-who-accused-jason-arday-of-plagiarism-suspended-by-university) — Academic who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism suspended by university - Lagos Television - [Le Journal de Quebec](https://journaldequebec.com/2026/08/20/mort-dun-ex-professeur-de-cambridge--le-chercheur-ayant-accuse-jason-arday-de-plagiat-suspendu) — Jason Arday Case: the Researcher Who Accused the Former Cambridge Teacher of Plagiarism, Suspended - [RTBF](https://rtbf.be/article/l-universite-de-gand-suspend-le-chercheur-nathan-cofnas-apres-la-mort-de-jason-arday-11773176) — The University of Ghent Suspends Researcher Nathan Cofnas After Jason Arday's Death - [La Libre](https://lalibre.be/belgique/2026/08/20/luniversite-de-gand-suspend-le-chercheur-nathan-cofnas-apres-la-mort-de-jason-arday-4CZJIJZOB5BZDNWDRVTKNUOZEA) — Ghent University Suspends Researcher Nathan Cofnas After Jason Arday's Death - [Vanguard News](https://vanguardngr.com/2026/08/university-suspends-academic-behind-jason-arday-plagiarism-charges) — University suspends academic behind Jason Arday plagiarism charges - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/world/article/academic-who-raised-plagiarism-allegations-against-jason-arday-suspended-by-his-university) — Academic who raised plagiarism allegations against Jason Arday suspended by his university - [La Vanguardia](https://lavanguardia.com/vida/20260820/11617265/universidad-gante-anuncia-medidas-instigador-linchamiento-jason-arday.html) — Ghent University Announces Action Against Lynching Instigator to Jason Arday - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/20/academic-who-raised-plagiarism-allegations-against-jason-arday-suspended-by-his-university) — Academic who raised plagiarism allegations against Jason Arday suspended by his university - [Breitbart](https://breitbart.com/europe/2026/08/20/cambridge-scandal-american-academic-who-exposed-alleged-jason-arday-plagiarism-suspended-by-own-university-over-discrimination-probe) — U.S. Academic Who Exposed Alleged Jason Arday Plagiarism Suspended - [RTÉ](https://rte.ie/news/uk/2026/0820/1588692-nathan-cofnas-suspended) — Academic who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism suspended - [JUNGE FREIHEIT](https://jungefreiheit.de/politik/ausland/2026/hochschule-suspendiert-jason-arday-aufklaerer-kont) — College Suspends Jason Arday Reconnaissance (KONT) - [ussanews.com](https://ussanews.com/2026/08/20/ghent-university-suspends-academic-who-uncovered-jason-arday-fraud) — Ghent University suspends academic who uncovered Jason Arday fraud - [svtv.org](https://svtv.org/news/2026-08-20/filosofa-kotoryi-razoblachil-samogo-molodogo-chernokozhego) — The Philosopher Who Exposed Cambridge's “Youngest Black Professor” Has Been Suspended From a Job at a Belgian University. The Decision Was Made by a Transgender Rector - [Times Higher Education (THE)](https://timeshighereducation.com/news/university-suspends-academic-who-accused-jason-arday-plagiarism) — University suspends academic who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism - [Apollo News](https://apollo-news.net/er-veroeffentlichte-plagiatsvorwuerfe-gegen-jason-arday-nun-wurde-nathan-cofnas-suspendiert) — He Published Plagiarism Charges Against Jason Arday – Now Nathan Cofnas Was Suspended - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jason-arday-nathan-cofnas-university-b3036452.html) — Academic who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism ‘suspended’ from university - [Kristeligt Dagblad](https://kristeligt-dagblad.dk/udland/forsker-bag-anklager-om-plagiat-mod-jason-arday-er-suspenderet) — Researcher Behind Plagiarism Allegations Against Jason Arday Has Been Suspended - [BT](https://bt.dk/udland/forsker-bag-anklager-om-plagiat-mod-jason-arday-er-suspenderet) — Researcher Behind Plagiarism Allegations Against Jason Arday Has Been Suspended - [Gript](https://gript.ie/academic-who-exposed-cambridge-scandal-suspended) — Academic who exposed Cambridge scandal suspended - [LBC](https://lbc.co.uk/article/nathan-cofnas-academic-jason-arday-plagiarism-row-suspended-ghent-5HjdgKs_2) — Nathan Cofnas, academic at the centre of Jason Arday plagiarism row, suspended by Ghent University - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2151809/tzeison-arntei-to-panepistimio-tis-gandis-edioxe-ton-kathigiti-poy-karfose-ti-logoklopi) — Jason Arday: Ghent University Fired the Professor Who "Nailed" the Plagiarism - [NRC Handelsblad](https://nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/08/20/rassenrealist-die-affaire-arday-aanzwengelde-wordt-geschorst-door-gentse-universiteit-a4934851) — ‘Racial Realist’ Who Instigated the Arday Affair Suspended by Ghent University - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/academic-who-raised-concerns-over-jason-arday-suspended-by-ghent-university) — Academic who raised concerns over Jason Arday suspended by Ghent University - [vrt](https://vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2026/08/20/gent-schorsing-cofnas-omstreden-rassenrealist-cambridge-jason-ar) — UGent Suspends Controversial Employee Nathan Cofnas Following Remarks by Deceased Black Cambridge Professor - [La Presse](https://lapresse.ca/international/europe/2026-08-20/une-universite-belge-suspend-le-chercheur-ayant-accuse-jason-arday-de-plagiat.php) — Belgian University Suspends Researcher Who Accused Jason Arday of Plagiarism - [nieuwrechts.nl](https://nieuwrechts.nl/112674-universiteit-gent-schorst-onderzoeker-cofnas-na-kritiek-op-zwarte-cambridge-hoogleraar-arday) — Ghent University Suspends Researcher Following Criticism of Black Cambridge Professor - [geenstijl.nl](https://geenstijl.nl/5191538/arday-onderzoek-cofnas-ugent) — GeenStijl: UGent Summons Researcher Who Exposed Jason Arday's Plagiarism over 'Very Serious Statements' About Jason Arday - [NOS](https://nos.nl/artikel/2627585-universiteit-gent-pakt-onderzoeker-aan-om-uitspraken-over-zwarte-hoogleraar-arday) — Ghent University Takes Researcher to Account for Statements About Black Professor Arday - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/academic-who-raised-plagiarism-allegations-against-jason-arday-suspended-by-his-2026-08-20) — Academic who raised plagiarism allegations against Jason Arday suspended by his university - [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/nathan-cofnas-the-scholar-who-exposed-jason-ardays-plagiarism-faces-appropriate-action-from-ghent-university-after-ardays-death/articleshow/133373842.cms) — Jason Arday Death: Nathan Cofnas, who exposed Cambridge scholar's plagiarism, under-fire at his university - [Just the News](https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/education/university-suspends-academic-who-uncovered-jason-arday-fraud) — University suspends academic who uncovered Jason Arday fraud - [brusselssignal.eu](https://brusselssignal.eu/2026/08/ghent-university-threatening-action-against-academic-who-exposed-arday-fraud) — Ghent University threatening action against academic ## Questions **Why was Nathan Cofnas suspended?** Ghent University suspended Nathan Cofnas pending a disciplinary inquiry into his conduct. The university described the suspension as preventive while it assessed whether to refer the case to a disciplinary body. Cofnas had accused Jason Arday of plagiarism before Arday’s death in mid-August 2026. **What did Jason Arday die from?** Jason Arday was found dead at his home in mid-August 2026. The reports do not specify the cause of death. Arday resigned from Cambridge amid plagiarism allegations, which his family described as a "campaign of harassment". **What did Ghent University say about Jason Arday’s death?** Ghent University’s rector, Pietra De Sutter, described Jason Arday’s death as shocking and called for reflection on how academics treat one another. The university issued a statement expressing its condolences and emphasising the need to learn from the incident. **Which outlets reported that Cofnas was under investigation for discrimination?** Reuters and WTVB reported that Nathan Cofnas was under investigation for discrimination by Ghent University. The university’s own statement did not specify the nature of the allegations, referring only to a disciplinary inquiry into his conduct. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/media/nathan-cofnas-suspended-by-ghent-university-after-accusing-jason-arday-of-plagia. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Nathan Cofnas suspended by Ghent University after accusing Jason Arday of plagiarism", https://mediabias.news/media/nathan-cofnas-suspended-by-ghent-university-after-accusing-jason-arday-of-plagia