LONDON (AP) – The British government said on Tuesday it would appoint a ‘free speech champion’ for universities to protect against attempts to silence academics and speakers with unpopular views.
Education Minister Gavin Williamson said he was “very concerned about the cooling effect on campuses of unacceptable silence and censorship.”
“Therefore, we need to strengthen the freedom of speech in higher education by strengthening the existing legal duties and ensuring that strong and strong action is taken if it is violated,” he said.
The new champion will investigate allegations of violation of freedom of speech, such as the dismissal of academics or the “no platform” of invited speakers. The Conservative government also plans to give a regulator, the Office for Students, the power to fine universities that violate the requirement to support freedom of speech.
Academics and others who are suspended, dismissed or demoted due to their views can seek compensation from the courts under the plans, which have not yet been transposed into law.
In recent years, controversies over freedom of speech have erupted on UK campuses over invitations to right-wing politicians and writers and to speakers with a controversial view on the rights of transgender people.
Critics accuse the government of playing populist politics rather than supporting freedom of speech.
Peter Tatchell, a veteran activist for gay and human rights, said the government was’ interested in using issues with culture buttons as a way to drive a wedge and secure political advantage, and I fear it’s a cynical part of the 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 opposed the removal of statues of historical figures associated with slavery and the British Empire.
Cultural Secretary Oliver Dowden wrote to government-funded museums and historic sites to warn them against removing statues, saying they “should not take 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 freedom of speech do not come from staff and students, or from the so-called ‘cancel culture’, but from the ministers’ own efforts to police who can and cannot say on campus is failing, and the failure to master the endemic job insecurity and management approaches, which means that academics are less able to speak the truth to power, ”said Jo Grady, general secretary.