LONDON (AP) – The UK government said Tuesday it will appoint a “freedom of speech champion” for universities to protect against attempts to silence academics and speakers with unpopular views.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he was “deeply concerned about the chilling effect on campuses of unacceptable silence and censorship.”
“That is why we need to strengthen freedom of expression in higher education by strengthening existing legal obligations and ensuring that strong, robust measures are taken when they are violated,” he said.
The new champion will investigate allegations of freedom of expression violations, such as the firing of academics or the “no platforming” of invited speakers. The Conservative government also plans to empower a regulator, the Student Office, to fine universities that violate a requirement to support freedom of speech.
Academics and others who are expelled, fired or demoted because of their views will be able to seek compensation through the courts for the plans, which have not yet been enacted.
In recent years, controversies over freedom of expression have erupted on British campuses over invitations to right-wing politicians and authors, and to speakers with contentious views on the rights of transgender people.
Critics accuse the government of playing populist politics instead of supporting freedom of speech.
Peter Tatchell, a veteran gay rights and human rights activist, said the government was “interested in using hot-button culture issues as a way to drive a wedge and gain political advantage, and I fear this is a cynical part. of that strategy. “
Opponents also accuse the government of putting pressure on education and heritage organizations not to highlight the negative aspects of British history. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other high-ranking ministers have opposed the removal of statues to historical figures associated with slavery and the British Empire.
Culture Minister Oliver Dowden has written to government-funded museums and historic sites to warn them against the removal of statues, saying they should “not take any action prompted by activism or politics.”
The University and College Union, which represents academics, accused the government of “fighting phantom threats.”
“In reality, the greatest threats to academic freedom and speech do not come from staff and students, or from the so-called ‘cancellation culture’, but from ministers’ own efforts to control what can and cannot be said on campus, and get to grips with the endemic job insecurity and management approaches that reduce academics’ ability to speak the truth to power, ”said Secretary General Jo Grady.