Free speech plan to tackle 'silencing' views on campus

[MrsBrunch]

Is the tide turning. Is the light shining. Will more people start to sue now?

BBC news today

From the article a "very online culture" allowed the views of a minority to exert disproportionate influence on administrators, and to "exert a chilling effect on other academics"

Talking about this on R4 now. Selina Todd and Peter Tatchell.

She's said "it's already legal requirement, not being carried out".

Tatchel, "nothing to see here"

With views like this one:

^ Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, the National Union of Students vice-president for higher education, said: "Students' unions are committed to freedom of expression and are the very home of rigorous debate and new ideas.
"There is no evidence of a freedom of expression crisis on campus, and students' unions are constantly taking positive steps to help facilitate the thousands of events that take place each year."^

in the face of evidence entirely to the contrary, This is a sadly necessary step. How many bannings, censurings, silencings does it take to become a freedom of expression crisis?

Yet it is worrying that it is not enough to protect in law the freedom to disagree publicly with the government - now the government intends to appoint a government body to protect disagreement with itself.

@newyearnewname123

She's said "it's already legal requirement, not being carried out".

Tatchel, "nothing to see here"

Cancel culture makes everyone afraid.

Selina was fantastic

I just listened, glad to hear this being covered

Selina given time to speak on R4. She was really clear, and allowed to develop her points and not interrupted.

Todd said clearly that she hasn't been supported by her union or the university. They are too keen to be stonewall champions and.don't support her right to state her opinion that biological sex is real.

Tatchel didn't say much, even he can't directly argue against that.

She was excellent.

Delighted to hear this interview.

Selina Todd spoke brilliantly - logical, clear, calm.

She explained the situation really well and knew exactly how to get the most out of this airtime. No way was she going to let herself be talked over by Tatchell or sidelined by Justin Webb.

@SantaNameChange

Selina was fantastic

I agree. She was brilliant. So clear and direct.

Free speech is racist, and only dickheads with dickhead opinions ever feel as though their right to free speech is curtailed. That seems to be the line I'm learning at uni. I don't think anyone was expected to disagree, lest they out themselves as a dickhead.

I'd love to see some survey data on this, because the only people who ever speak in discussions are the super woke. I get the feeling they don't speak for the majority, I'd love to hear what others have to say, but few other voices are forthcoming

gcacademianetwork.weebly.com/#

Yy to the super-woke being the ones speaking up. Sadly, they have the luxury of being able to obsess about it all.

Most people in normal life simply don't have the time or energy for mind games like "there's absolutely no way to tell a man and woman apart". They're too busy working to be able to pay bills and stay alive.

No way was she going to let herself be talked over by Tatchell or sidelined by Justin Webb.

Absolutely.

I bet JW is GC.

She was great.

But I'm equally so depressed, having just seen Alastair Campbell's Instagram saying that people supporting this agenda are basically extreme right wing. I normally love him, but so depressed at how far we have to go if this is the way that we are characterised. I used to work for the Lab Party and am still a left campaigner.

I think you're right though, that the vast majority of people would be 'WTF' if they tuned into what was happening .

Just been the top story on BBC6 Music news too - they played a clip of someone talking sense, missed if it was Prof Stock.

Alastair Campbell's Instagram saying that people supporting this agenda are basically extreme right wing.

Don't let this get you down. It's not true, get angry that he's writing lies. And he knows they are lies, WPUK are all from the left, Julie Bindel obviously left wing. He knows this.

Selina is great on TV.

Selena Todd - a masterclass in how to do an interview. Totally sidelined Tatchell. Got her points across clearly and concisely.

Well done Selina Tood.

I am sure that Tatchell is right here - there will be a degree of cynicism on the part of many in the convervative party here - they sense opportunity created by Labour :(

The tantrums that this policy is generating amongst certain academics, UCU and the Guardian is a sight to behold.

Selina Todd was brilliant. Peter Tatchell arguing in such bad faith. Glad to hear this. Sounds like R4 plans to speak to Uni of Oxford. Might be interesting.