University free speech 'red risk'

[BovaryX]

In another example of the suffocating atmosphere in UK universities, a free speech society at Sheffield University has to have its speakers vetted. What happened to rigorous debate? What happened to diversity of ideas? Who gets to decide who is qualified to speak?

Sheffield University’s free speech society was told that it is a “red risk” and needs to have all external speakers vetted and approved. The free speech society was informed that it must submit an application to the students’ union at least three weeks in advance each time it invites a speaker, and that “full and final approval” would be needed in order for the talk to go ahead. Ewan Somerville, a third year politics and international relations student at Sheffield said he wanted to set up a free speech society as a reaction to "creeping censorship” he feels on campus

[Kuponut]

Don't even get to have international womans' day at the Leicester universities (both did it - Leicester Uni took more of the heat for it but De Montfort should share the shame) - we had to endure International Womyns Day.

[BovaryX]

Does anyone see the connect between this and McCarthyism, and the so called "Red scare" in the US in the fifties?

Yes. The historical echoes are not flattering.

[andyoldlabour]

Does anyone see the connect between this and McCarthyism, and the so called "Red scare" in the US in the fifties?

[Bezalelle]

Reminds me of when I lived in China and organised events. We had to run our guests past the Communist Party before anything could go ahead, to check that they toed the party line.

[bedelia]

Oh my goodness! That's hit close to home, though it shouldn't surprise me. Do you have a link/share token?

[BovaryX]

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/09/university-free-speech-society-told-red-risk-needs-have-external/