Leeds bans “unfairly disparaging” social media posts
BY
Frederick Attenborough
A university’s attempts to regulate staff and students’ use of social media may put it on a collision course with the English sector regulator’s new free speech rules, it has been warned.
As reported by the THE, the University of Leeds has introduced a social media policy that instructs those connected to the institution not to “post or share content (including photos, images, videos or soundtracks) which is unlawful, abusive, insulting, threatening, or which may reasonably be considered likely to cause serious distress or cause another person to fear for their safety, or which defames or unfairly disparages the university, staff/students or any third party on social media sites”. The report continues:
Social media, which in Leeds’ definition includes discussion forums, instant messaging services and “any website that allows public commenting or posting”, should not be used “in a way which does not support our university values of collaboration, compassion, inclusiveness and integrity”, the policy adds.
As the Higher Education Bill becomes law, allowing individuals whose speech rights are breached to sue universities, our Chief Legal Counsel Bryn Harris confirms to the @timeshighered that we will assist in bringing such cases if members ask for our help.https://t.co/QEHkPK097y
— The Free Speech Union (@SpeechUnion) May 22, 2023
But these restrictions are too open to interpretation, critics have claimed. “It talks about unfairly disparaging the university, but fair or unfair is a matter of opinion”, said Aisha Walker, president of the University and College Union (UCU) branch at Leeds.
“As a trade union, part of our job is to be critical where we see problems with our employer; not unfairly critical but justly critical if we see there are genuine problems. I think we do have concerns that people may find themselves facing conduct investigations for being critical of the university.”
Dr Walker, an associate professor in Leeds’ School of Education, said she feared that a personal post such as “it’s been another bad day at the University of Leeds” could fall foul of the policy, which could also, she continued, stifle more serious concerns about bullying and misconduct from being aired publicly.
"Look at the files kept by the Free Speech Union." Terrific intervention from Baroness @Fox_Claire during last night's House of Lords debate on the Higher Ed. (Freedom of Speech) Bill, explaining why universities need to be held to account for breaching their #freespeech duties. pic.twitter.com/tehNzcKSWv
From August, the Office for Students will be handed more powers to act over academic freedom and free speech, and the sector regulator has already signalled that its approach will be to seek to protect all speech that is within the law, regardless of whether it causes offence.
Dr Walker said she believed the university would need to urgently review its stance on social media in light of the coming duties, which also require institutions to actively promote free speech.
As a member, you’ll have access to an array of resources and support, ensuring you can speak your mind without fear of being cancelled. Our experienced team provides guidance, support and – at our discretion – assistance with legal action. We will defend your right to speak your mind, however unorthodox your views, provided you don’t say anything unlawful.
