We welcome the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, which will go some way to addressing the free speech crisis in English universities. However, there are four ways in which it should be amended.

Published November 2021.

Following the publication of the Law Commission’s proposals to replace sections of the Communications Act 2003 and the Malicious Communications Act 1988, this briefing outlines areas where the FSU agrees with these proposals, but also raises concerns that some of these proposals may create new problems for freedom of speech.

Published September 2021.

This briefing summarises the impact Stonewall has had on freedom of speech and the process by which the organisation appears to have bypassed the marketplace of ideas in policymaking.

Published July 2021.

Following the release by the government of the draft text of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, this briefing outlines why the Bill is welcome, links to the evidence showing why it’s necessary, including some of the free speech cases in universities we’ve been involved with, and addresses the most common criticisms against it.

Published June 2021.

Following the release by the Government of the draft text of its Online Safety Bill, this Free Speech Union briefing outlines why the legislation is a danger to online free speech.

Published May 2021.

The Government’s planned Online Safety Bill is intended to make the internet “safer”, but the Bill is a threat to our freedom of speech. It will lead to the censorship of speech that is legal offline, with companies obliged to remove material for dangerously vague reasons like an “adverse” psychological impact.

Published April 2021.