Call for Evidence - Freedom of Expression

[ArabellaScott]

• deadlne extended to 31st of January.
  

Thought some here might like to respond, given that feminists are finding themselves at the cliff face of this issue lately.

committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/307/freedom-of-expression/

[Imnobody4]

I'm going to get down to write it next week. Am gathering evidence at the moment. Ofcom seems to have provided valuable evidence in the last few weeks. Also Kate's acquittal, the campaign's to get people sacked or removed from Twitter, the hounding of WPUK meetings and Posie's Speakers Corner not being considered a 'political protest'.

[ArabellaScott]

Great stuff, highame. There's so much involved in this.

Faircop's history/work might also be useful - anyone who has been contacted by the police due to things they've said/written. Anyone who has lost work due to things they've said. Kathleen Stock's recent list on Twitter of academics who've faced problems, too.

In Scotland there's been a fair bit of discussion on freedom of speech - there's hte 'Free to Disagree' campaign, I think that's a church backed group.

[OhHolyJesus]

The House of Lords also have a consultation out due on 15th.

committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/312/freedom-of-expression-online/

They are different but overlap so maybe not to hard to work from existing material IYSWIM.

[Manderleyagain]

Thanks I am plsnnijng to submit. It's great they extended the deadline.

[oldwomanwhoruns]

We have today & tomorrow to submit for this one. I'm trying to write this now. Does anyone have a template or suggested submission? I don't know where to start
TIA

[OhHolyJesus]

@oldwomanwhoruns I'm doing a quick one tonight - think it's only 7 questions? DM me and I'll send you something.

[Manderleyagain]

If you fear for your employment or whatever if you were to talk about this in your own name then you should tell them.

The question on universities - if you have been watching that you could give examples of academics being no platformed, harassed, needing extra security, Julie bindel physically attacked at edinburgh uni etc.

I am including examples who are not to do with the gender issue too but I've been watching free speech for a while (that's how I became aware of this issue).

Police over-reach, non crime hate incidents, etc.

Just some ideas. I better get on with it!

[Manderleyagain]

You don't have to answer all the questions. I think they are just pointers.

[Imnobody4]

I've stressed freedom of speech is also the right to listen and used the experience of WPUK meeting rooms cancelled at last minute etc. The fact people I follow on Twitter have been banned.

[ScrapThatThen]

I don't know anything about this person but sacked for having a Parler account?

www.spiked-online.com/2021/01/28/cancelled-for-having-a-parler-account/?fbclid=IwAR1XIMXS5pktAzy44NcMIh2RtbzoIn7YRwsr5csi6d4-GoSWsLfyvrBdNLk

[MerchedCymru]

Doing ours now. Did Standards in Public Life yesterday. Luckily for us, the toilets one is England only. Hoping to start the children's MH one next week. I used to have a life (I think).

Incidentally, Kathleen Stock's submission is already published - link on the first page of the consultation under 'publications'. That'll inspire you.

Anyone else wondering if the responses to this deluge of consultations actually influence the outcomes? Would be cheering to think so but we're all a bit cynical being wimmin and all.

[ahagwearsapointybonnet]

Was going to do this one today as yesterday was quite busy, but it is saying it has closed? I know the end date was extended to today, but aren't they usually set to close just before midnight on the last day rather than first thing? (Possibly a mistake?).

[Signalbox]

That’s annoying. Presumably last day was yesterday. Serves me right leaving things to the last minute!

[Imnobody4]

What! I could have sworn the deadline was 11.45 pm. I might have got it wrong but it's not 11.45 am yet. Damn, think I' send what I've written to my MP.

[ChickenonaMug]

I checked yesterday to see if there was a consultation closing time. I couldn’t see one anywhere which implied to me that it would be near the very end of the day as usual.

[Imnobody4]

I've sent an email querying what's happened to
[email protected]

[MichelleofzeResistance]

May be worth mentioning in queries that women are currently dealing with a carpet bombing of consultations they need to participate in in attempt to protect their rights being harmed and rolled back in law.

It's becoming exhausting, there are multiple overlapping ones, all at the same time, and people have lives. Being able to defend ones rights under law should not depend upon having the luxury of time and nothing better to do to keep up with all this.

[2Rebecca]

committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/307/freedom-of-expression/

[2Rebecca]

That is appalling. If they extended the date until today they should be taking submissions until midnight today. There is no info on where to send submissions

[SugarPlumElf]

I've just finished mine – it was a LOT of work, and now I can't submit it! What's going on?

I've sent an email querying what's happened to
[email protected]

I shall email this address too.

[SugarPlumElf]

Kind of ironic, by the way, for a freedom of expression inquiry.

[ChoosandChipsandSealingWax]

Bloody hell I just went to submit my submission and it's CLOSED!!!! I am SO annoyed - the deadline was today, and it didn't state a time!

[SugarPlumElf]

Probably best to email submissions to [email protected] asking for them to be included.

Then we will have met the deadline.

[Manderleyagain]

I had the same problem. Really annoying. Thanks for the email address. We'll see whether they reply.