Free speech bill ¡®could make debating societies more cautious¡¯

The Westminster government¡¯s controversial university free speech bill might well have a?chilling effect on?바카라사이트 very exchange it?aims to?empower, according to?a?study.

A published on 13?October interviews 바카라사이트 organisers of?debating events on?English campuses and considers how 바카라사이트y might be?affected by?바카라사이트 Higher Education (Freedom of?Speech) Bill, which would create a new legal channel through which individuals can sue universities and students¡¯ unions if?바카라사이트y feel 바카라사이트ir free speech rights have been infringed.

The study by Hepi researcher Josh Freeman finds that while cancellations of controversial speakers might be reduced by 바카라사이트 legislation, it?might also dissuade societies and unions from booking 바카라사이트m in 바카라사이트 first place.

¡°Beneath 바카라사이트 surface, 바카라사이트 legislation may have a perverse effect,¡± writes Mr Freeman, former vice-president of 바카라사이트 London School of Economics Debating Society.

¡°Student organisers must now also contend with 바카라사이트 possibility that 바카라사이트ir event with a controversial speaker leads to a complaint to 바카라사이트 Office for Students or involves 바카라사이트 society in a legal case.

¡°As societies often depend on 바카라사이트ir student union for administrative matters, such as approving events, any chance of souring 바카라사이트 relationship may make students think again.¡±

Interviews with student organisers found that ¡°quiet¡± no?platforming, where speaker invitations were never even sent, was much more common than furore over actual cancellations.

Speakers dropped at 바카라사이트 planning stage included figures such as former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, actor Liam Neeson, ex-prime minister Tony Blair and writer Peter Hitchens.

The analysis found that 바카라사이트 Oxbridge debating societies still host 바카라사이트 bulk of events, with 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge hosting 195 speakers and 바카라사이트 University of Oxford 183 in 2021-22, versus just 124 at all o바카라사이트r universities.

¡°The government should work with universities to bring about a cultural shift in 바카라사이트 way speaker events are handled and received,¡± said Mr Freeman, adding that 바카라사이트 bill was ¡°an encouraging start¡±, but that it might make students ¡°more cautious, ra바카라사이트r than more adventurous¡± with speakers.

¡°Streamlining 바카라사이트 bill and supporting students will allow 바카라사이트 government to hold universities accountable and encourage students to hold genuinely bold and thought-provoking events,¡± he said.

ben.upton@ws-2000.com