Briefing Documents

Research Outputs and Findings

The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill

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.

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The Online Safety Bill

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.

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The Online Safety Bill and what the Government should do instead

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.

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