Critical Overview:
The UK government plans to address the issue of cancel culture by introducing the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill. The legislation aims to ensure free and open debate on university campuses in England, where controversial opinions are often silenced. The bill seeks to empower students, academics, and visiting speakers by making it mandatory for students’ unions to uphold lawful freedom of speech for members and speakers. In addition, those who suffer a breach of the free speech duties may seek compensation through the courts, and a Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom will be appointed to investigate and sanction any infringement of freedom of speech on university campuses.
Incidents of cancel culture at universities have been on the rise, where individuals have been banned from speaking or silenced for expressing opinions deemed controversial. Last year, for instance, Amber Rudd, former Home Secretary, was “no-platformed” by Oxford University just 30 minutes before she was scheduled to speak. Jacob Rees-Mogg, a cabinet minister, also faced attempts to be silenced while giving a speech at the University of the West of England in 2018. Similarly, in 2016, gay rights activist Peter Tatchell was almost cancelled from giving a speech at Canterbury Christ Church University for his belief that others with different views should be allowed to join in debates. These incidents have raised concerns about the erosion of free speech and academic freedom on university campuses.
The government aims to strengthen freedom of speech and academic freedom at universities through the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill. This proposed legislation is seen as a response to the growing problem of cancel culture, which has led to self-censorship among academics who fear expressing their views. A research report from the think tank Policy Exchange revealed that 32% of academics with Right or fairly Right-wing views refrained from expressing their opinions in teaching and research, compared to 15% of those on the centre or the Left. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has warned of the chilling effect of unacceptable silencing and censoring on campuses.
Compensation for loss due to a breach of free speech duties, the appointment of a Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom, and mandatory steps to secure lawful freedom of speech for members and speakers through students’ unions are among the measures proposed by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill. The proposed legislation aims to clamp down on woke intolerance in some parts of higher education and the liberal establishment, which have been criticised for policing what can and cannot be said on campus.
Conclusion:
The proposed Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill aims to strengthen freedom of speech and academic freedom on university campuses in England. The legislation comes in response to the growing problem of cancel culture, which has led to the silencing of controversial opinions and self-censorship among academics who fear expressing their views. The bill seeks to empower students, academics, and visiting speakers by making it mandatory for students’ unions to uphold lawful freedom of speech for members and speakers, and by offering compensation for loss due to a breach of free speech duties. The appointment of a Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom will further investigate and sanction any infringement of freedom of speech on university campuses. While some have criticised the government for inventing “phantom threats,” the bill is seen as a significant step in clamping down on woke intolerance and safeguarding academic freedom and freedom of speech.
