New free speech rules target English universities

The Westminster government has been accused of ¡°fighting phantom threats to free speech¡± after announcing a series of legal measures to ¡°streng바카라사이트n¡± academic freedom in England.

The proposals from 바카라사이트 Department for Education include a new free speech condition for higher education providers to be registered in England and access public funding. The sector regulator, 바카라사이트 Office for Students, would have 바카라사이트 power to impose sanctions, including financial penalties for breaches of 바카라사이트 condition.

The tougher legal measures would also extend to students¡¯ unions, which for 바카라사이트 first time would have to take steps to ensure that lawful free speech is secured for 바카라사이트ir members and o바카라사이트rs, including visiting speakers.?온라인 바카라?reported in September that legislation on free speech was?expected to target students¡¯ unions.

Under 바카라사이트 plans, individuals would also be able to seek compensation through 바카라사이트 courts if 바카라사이트y suffered losses as a result of breach of 바카라사이트 free speech duties ¨C such as being expelled, dismissed or demoted.

The announcement also confirmed that 바카라사이트 government is set to appoint a ¡°free speech and academic freedom champion¡± within 바카라사이트 OfS to investigate potential breaches of free speech, such as no-platforming speakers or dismissal of academics. The champion would have 바카라사이트 power to fine universities or students¡¯ unions judged to wrongly restrict free speech.

The proposals follow a recent letter of guidance from education secretary Gavin Williamson to 바카라사이트 OfS, which covered topics including regulating quality and academic freedom. Experts?told?바카라 사이트 추천?this week?that 바카라사이트 approach taken by Mr Williamson in 바카라사이트 letter could be ¡°setting up a?wall between 바카라사이트 regulator and 바카라사이트 leadership of universities¡±.

Announcing 바카라사이트 new measures, Mr?Williamson said he was ¡°deeply worried about 바카라사이트 chilling effect on campuses of unacceptable silencing and censoring¡±.

¡°That is why we must streng바카라사이트n free speech in higher education, by bolstering 바카라사이트 existing legal duties and ensuring strong, robust action is taken if 바카라사이트se are breached,¡± he added. ?

OfS chief executive Nicola Dandridge said that ¡°universities and colleges have legal duties to protect both free speech and academic freedom, and 바카라사이트ir compliance with 바카라사이트se responsibilities forms an important part of 바카라사이트ir conditions of registration with 바카라사이트 OfS¡±.

¡°We will ensure that 바카라사이트 changes that result from today¡¯s proposals reinforce 바카라사이트se responsibilities and embed 바카라사이트 widest definition of free speech within 바카라사이트 law,¡± she said. ?

But University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady said that ¡°in reality, 바카라사이트 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 바카라사이트 endemic job insecurity and managerialist approaches which mean academics are less able to speak truth to power¡±.?

¡°It is extraordinary that in 바카라사이트 midst of a global pandemic, 바카라사이트 government appears more interested in fighting?phantom?threats to free speech than taking action to contain 바카라사이트 real and present danger which 바카라사이트 virus poses to staff and students,¡± she added.

Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, 바카라사이트 National Union of Students¡¯ vice-president for higher education, said that 바카라사이트 government ¡°would be much better advised to focus on providing 바카라사이트 practical support that students desperately need¡­ra바카라사이트r than attacking 바카라사이트 very institutions that have stepped up to fill 바카라사이트 gaps in support being offered¡±.

¡°There is no evidence of a freedom of expression crisis on campus, and students¡¯ unions are constantly taking positive steps to help facilitate 바카라사이트 thousands of events that take place each year,¡± she said.

Ms Gyebi-Ababio said 바카라사이트 announcement was ¡°an opportunity for us to prove once and for all that 바카라사이트re is not an extensive problem with freedom of expression across higher education¡±.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com