Growing censorship at UK universities
Censorship is increasing at British university campuses, with over half imposing serious restrictions on expression, new figures have shown.
According to a new analysis by online magazine Spiked, 55 per cent of campuses banned speakers, behaviours, pressure groups and songs in 2015, as opposed to 41 per cent in 2014.
The survey was carried out at 115 universities, through freedom of information requests and analysis of student union and administrators’ policies.
90 per cent had some restrictions on free expression in place, compared with 80 per cent in 2014.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, has said that these trends reflect an increased threat to free speech across the nation.
No-platform policy
No-platform policies, which ban speakers deemed ‘extremist’, were in place at 39 per cent of the universities surveyed.
"Stories of edgy speakers being no-platformed, of more and more campuses being smothered by safe spaces, have hit headlines in the past year. But our findings reveal that campus censorship has become more entrenched than anyone could have imagined," said Tom Slater, who compiled the rankings.
Bans and restrictions are mostly applied by student unions, who decide on policies such as hosting speakers and the running of societies.
'Line between free speech and mitigating risk'
The president of the National Union of Students (NUS), Megan Dunne, commented: "NUS supports students’ unions in the practical application and assessment of mitigating risk to protect free speech and balance personal freedom and expression. Students’ unions work every day to make the right calls on the complex balancing act of drawing the line between free speech and mitigating risk."
Andrea Williams responded to this claim, saying that ‘mitigating risk’ was not a sufficient explanation for the kind of censorship taking place.
"What we are seeing here is not simply an effort to protect students from the kind of speech that could incite violent or malicious behaviour. Rather, we are seeing freedom of expression shut down in the very places where ideas should be explored freely and without fear of giving offence. Universities are spaces where material should be engaged with and debated. That is how people learn and develop," she said.
She went on to say that these figures also raise concerns as to the freedom of Christians to share their faith on campuses:
"This kind of censorship could prove detrimental for Christian freedoms at universities. How long will it be until Christian Unions are restricted from hosting Mission Weeks, or even being banned altogether? Other groups that stand for the right to life of the unborn child, for example, could also be affected by these policies."
Oxford and Wilberforce Academy
In 2013, Trinity College Oxford apologised for hosting the Wilberforce Academy, on the grounds that its biblical teaching on marriage failed to comply with its 'open and inclusive' ethos.
In light of recent calls to remove a statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes from the university campus, Oxford University Chancellor Lord Patten told students that they must tolerate views, as well as historical events or people, that they find offensive.
"We do not want to turn our university into a drab, bland, suburb of the soul where the diet is intellectual porridge," he said.
'Counter-Extremism Strategy'
Andrea Williams, who is also the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, commented:
"There is a growing tendency across the nation to censor material that is deemed offensive. We are seeing freedom of speech threatened in all areas. Christian preachers are being told which parts of the Bible they are allowed to preach, as we have seen with our clients Mike Overd and Barry Trayhorn, who were accused of hate speech for speaking the Biblical view of homosexuality.
"The government’s recent 'Counter-Extremism Strategy' will only serve to hinder freedom of speech further. It proposes to 'tackle extremism in all its forms', but its vague definitions of ‘extremism’ and 'British values' leave it wide open to abuse. The measures are far-reaching and threaten the very freedom it aims to protect."
Related News:
'Ofsted chief should resign', says senior MP
Censorship at Oxford University condemned
Christianity 'silenced' in the public sector, says former civil servant
Christian preacher wins appeal against 'wrong' Bible verse conviction
Related Coverage:
Trinity apologises for hosting Christian Concern (Oxford Student)
The Tyranny of Safe Spaces (Spiked)
