A Boost For Free Speech At English Universities...

[naomi24]

Restrictions on freedom of speech is a "serious cause for concern", the new free speech chief at the Office for Students (OfS) has told the BBC.   His hiring follows several cases of "no-platforming", where a controversial speaker is banned from an event.  Prof Ahmed has said he would defend the right to peaceful protest, but made a distinction between peaceful and disruptive demonstrations.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-67033191

 

A breath of fresh air in what has become a worryingly stifling environment?  I hope so.

[sandyRoe]

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".

Personally I wouldn't go as far as that but I like the sentiment.

[youngmafbog]

We can only hope Naomi.

Sadly there are many so called academics who dislike any view other than theirs and they have indoctrinated many students to the same tune. so much so that other students just keep quite for fear of being kicked out.

1930's Germany anyone?

[New Judge]

The scandal is that any organisation - especially one involving the education of students - should require a "director of free speech."

[youngmafbog]

Quite NJ, but how else to counter the infiltration of the Metropolitan 'liberal' elite who, unable to win at the balot box, have penetrated our main instutitions such as schools universities, Police, Jucicary to name a few?

[Khandro]

Things are getting pretty bad. Comedians now walk on eggshells, journalists need often to submit their copy to lawyers before submission.

John Cleese has been given a series of spots on GB News on which he wants to address 'woke matters', & is finding it difficult to find people willing to come on his show, - they maybe anti-woke, but say they fear they might lose their jobs for speaking out.

1930s Germany & present day Russia spring to mind.

[jourdain2]

Indeed they do, Khandro.

My elder granddaughter has just  started at Warwick Uni., reading Eng. Lit., and I've tried hard  to warn her about the 'woke' police and to stick to her guns.

We pushed the Voltairian principle at her a couple of years ago and she understood completely.  Fingers crossed that things will change in unis..

[sandyRoe]

Youngmafbog,

The police and the judiciary 'liberal', really?

[Khandro]

jourdain; My wife went to Warwick (as a slightly mature student), it was very 'left-wing' then apparently, I'll bet now, 'woke' would be more apt.  I remember one of the lecturers was called 'Red Renate'.

Germaine Greer was once an alumni.  

[naomi24]

I guess she still is khandro.  😂

[Khandro]

Quite 😄

[Khandro]

I'm pleased to discover that Germain is still with us at 84, & long may she continue. 😍

[jno]

freedom of speech ... I see Suella wants to outlaw "waving a Palestinian flag or singing a chant advocating freedom for Arabs".

The usual "freedom" of speech that the government approves of.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/10/people-supporting-hamas-in-uk-will-be-held-to-account-says-rishi-sunak

[douglas9401]

Let me be the first to congratulate the Home Secretary for sorting out the REEEally important stuff while her performance on piddling things like the current invasion, policing and knife crime are put in their proper places.

 

Pathetic excuse for, well, anything really.

[tomus42]

We could start this crusade for free speech right here on answerbank. Let anyone say whatever they want, however controversial, without fear of it being deleted by a moderator.

Or is that different?