UK plan for campus free speech champion draws praise, alarm
The British government says it will appoint a “free speech champion” for universities to protect against attempts to silence academics and speakers with unpopular opinions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The British government said Tuesday it will appoint a “free speech champion” for universities to protect against attempts to silence academics and speakers with unpopular opinions.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he was “deeply worried about the chilling effect on campuses of unacceptable silencing and censoring.”
“That is why we must strengthen free speech in higher education, by bolstering the existing legal duties and ensuring strong, robust action is taken if these are breached,” he said.
The new champion will investigate allegations of infringement of free speech, such as the dismissal of academics or the “no platforming” of invited speakers. The Conservative government also plans to give a regulator, the Office for Students, powers to fine universities that breach a requirement to support free speech.
Academics and others who are expelled, dismissed or demoted for their views will be able to seek compensation through the courts under the plans, which have not yet been turned into law.
In recent years, controversies over free speech on U.K. campuses have erupted over invitations to right-wing politicians and authors, and to speakers with contentious views on the rights of transgender people.
Critics accuse the government of playing populist politics rather than supporting free speech.
Peter Tatchell, a veteran gay rights and human rights activist, said the government was “interested in using hot-button culture issues as a way of driving a wedge and securing political advantage, and I fear that this is a cynical part of that strategy.”
Opponents also accuse the government of putting pressure on education and heritage organizations not to highlight the negative aspects of Britain’s history. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other senior ministers have opposed the removal of statues to historical figures associated with slavery and the British Empire.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has written to government-funded museums and historic sites to warn them against removing statues, saying they “should not be taking actions motivated by activism or politics.”
The University and College Union, which represents academics, accused the government of “fighting phantom threats.”
“In reality the biggest threats to academic freedom and free speech come not from staff and students, or from so-called ‘cancel culture’, but from ministers’ own attempts to police what can and cannot be said on campus, and a failure to get to grips with the endemic job insecurity and managerialist approaches which mean academics are less able to speak truth to power,” said general secretary Jo Grady.