Free Speech Part 17

The government has concerns about the suppression of freedom of speech on campus. Under government plans, universities would be legally required to actively promote free speech and the OfS would have the power to impose fines on institutions if they breach this condition. This would also extend to student unions, which would have to ensure… Continue reading Free Speech Part 17

Free Speech Part 16

Groups representing students and universities have expressed caution at plans for a “free speech champion” to regulate England’s campuses. The government has announced plans for the role to ensure freedom of speech and expression is not stifled. The National Union of Students says there is “no evidence” of a freedom of speech crisis on campus.… Continue reading Free Speech Part 16

Free Speech Part 15

Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow – “I have my own servers and everything,” he adds that he has spent millions of dollars developing the platform. “We’re not going to be worried about Amazon taking it down or YouTube or Google or Apple and we are going to get our voice of free speech out there.”… Continue reading Free Speech Part 15

Free Speech Part 14

Exploring the existence of free speech laws in the UK, their nuances, and whether or not these laws are co-opted by various groups or individuals is essential in understanding the current debates around these issues. Through a long history of recognising the importance of freedom of speech, citizens of the United Kingdom have enjoyed some… Continue reading Free Speech Part 14

Free Speech Part 13

Though omnipresent in today’s ultra-connected and ever-divisive world, the question of free speech in the United Kingdom seems of particular relevance at present. Be it tensions surrounding “cancel culture”, contentious critiques of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, or newspaper articles published by the dozen: free speech, and the rights of UK citizens, is top… Continue reading Free Speech Part 13

Free Speech Part 12

"Not only did my son get a first class degree from his art college, but his drawings have already attracted death threats from religious lunatics!"

Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The term freedom of expression is usually used synonymously but, in legal sense, includes any activity of seeking, receiving, and imparting information or ideas, regardless… Continue reading Free Speech Part 12

Free Speech Part 11

Freedom of speech is the right to say whatever you like about whatever you like, whenever you like, right? Wrong. ‘Freedom of speech is the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, by any means.’ Freedom of speech and the right to freedom of expression applies to ideas of all kinds… Continue reading Free Speech Part 11

Free Speech Part 10

The comedian Rowan Atkinson talks about the importance of Free Speech. I wonder why Humza Yousaf feels that us in Scotland shouldn’t have any of that. He says, “Stirring up of hatred can contribute to a social atmosphere in which discrimination is accepted as normal. By creating robust laws for the justice system, parliament will… Continue reading Free Speech Part 10

Free Speech Part 9

The Education Secretary is set to threaten universities with fines or even deregistration if they ‘stifle’ freedom of speech. Gavin Williamson will outline his ‘free speech campaign’ in an effort to strengthen laws that protect free expression. He will appoint a new ‘free speech champion’ that has the power to fine universities or student unions… Continue reading Free Speech Part 9

Free Speech Part 8

In June last year, amid a wave of protests sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, a statue of the slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down by Woke protesters and thrown in Bristol harbour. It was later retrieved, and four people will face trial for alleged criminal… Continue reading Free Speech Part 8