Universities Could Face Fines Over Free Speech Curbs

[naomi24]

//Jo Johnson said "no-platforming", the policy of banning controversial speakers, is stifling debate.... From next April, a new regulator - the Office for Students - will have the power to fine universities that fail to uphold free speech....Universities UK has said it will not allow legitimate debate to be stifled.//

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-42481329

//In 2016, nearly two-thirds of university students believed the National Union of Students was right to have a "no-platform" policy.//

^That I find shocking. Something so hard fought for abandoned so readily. Truly a ‘snowflake’ generation. The phrase ‘Be careful what you wish for’ springs to mind.

Your views?

[Spicerack]

//In 2016, nearly two-thirds of university students believed the National Union of Students was right to have a "no-platform" policy.//

^That I don't believe. It's the loud (and usually thick) minority who make the most noise. Others just want a quiet life. (hope so anyway)

[Jackdaw33]

Nothing new there. Back in 1973 when I was at Durham Enoch Powell was invited to address the Durham Union (debating) Society. Nothing to do with the NUS. However they kicked up such a fuss and threatened to disrupt our meeting that Powell withdrew his offer.

[naomi24]

I know a few quiet ones who would support it.

[pixie374]

//That approach means people or groups on a banned list for holding racist or fascist views are not given a platform to speak on student union premises.//
I guess they should be able to choose who they host? It depends how exclusive it is- whether they are carefully vetting or just keeping out extremists.

[fiction-factory]

I agree with Jackdaw. In the 70s the SWP, Trotskyists and TU leaders were welcomed but the NF were not allowed to appear. Tories were able to attend but were given a very rough ride and drowned out by hecklers so I am not sure whether free speech was being upheld even them.
I've said before that I am surprised student unions allow radical Islamic speakers when they wouldn't allow any other speakers with similar anti semetic or homophobic views or anti women's rights groups

[Spicerack]

See their marxist professors are encouraging them to stifle free speech.
Lol, remember when it was all about freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom to wear short skirts. Strange times we're living in.

[jno]

more imams recruiting students on campus, that's what we need. Give them a platform.

[sp1814]

Excellent idea.

I think that student bodies need to encourage controversial speakers. Students should have the opportunity to challenge the views of said speakers and engage them in rigorous argument.

By the way, the young are not a 'snowflake generation'. Just because a phrase has been coined by the alt-right, doesn't make it true.

It's as demeaning when people refer to Baby Boomers as 'The Entitled Lazy Generation' because of the way they screwed the country over in the 1970s.

[zebo]

I recall being a student in the late '60s, lots of student protest activity but the same small percentage involved, the majority of us simply ignored them and got on with our studies.
The motto of this lot seems to be Everyone's free to agree with me. Reminds me of my late Mother a bit!

[Jackdaw33]

They can huff and puff all they like. Brexit is a done deal regardless of 'terms'. It WILL happen.

[Jackdaw33]

Wrong thread sorry. Can someone remove it?

[naomi24]

SP, //I think that student bodies need to encourage controversial speakers. Students should have the opportunity to challenge the views of said speakers and engage them in rigorous argument.//

With that^ I agree.

//the young are not a 'snowflake generation'//

With that I disagree......

//Safe space" policies are intended to protect students from views and language they find offensive,//

When people feel the need to be protected from encountering views they may not like, that’s pretty ‘snowflaky’ to me.

[pixie374]

Those aren't student policies, that is being decided on their behalf. You can't categorise a whole generation, they are just as different as everyone else.

[naomi24]

Pixie, the NUS has a "no platforming" policy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-36101423

[pixie374]

Oh sorry- those are actually students then? They have banned six groups, which doesn't sound that excessive to me.

[sp1814]

pixie374

Ridiculous isn't it?

It's taking a section of young people - a very, very specific section (categorised by those in universities who actually agree with safe spaces) and then extrapolating to a whole generation.

This is a generation who work zero contract hours, a generation where some leave university with a £30,000 debt, a generation who work two or three jobs to be able to save for a place to live. A generation who don't have the luxury of a 'job for life' as previous generations did, a generation who are inheriting a world which has been royally screwed up by previous generations...

Snowflake?

I call them the Concrete Generation.

[pixie374]

It is ridiculous- another thing that shouldn't need explaining out loud...

[sp1814]

pixie374

One generalisation which is true though...they have rubbish taste in music.

[pixie374]

Of course:-). Mine listen to Capital!!

[Spicerack]

I suspect/know by most measures, I was much better off than youngsters leaving school today.
Not really relevant to this thread, is it?