Exeter University debating society is forced into humiliating U-turn after “disinviting” Catholic author opposed to gay marriage – only to then re-invite her and call it “a mistake”

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She and the Free Speech Union, of which she is a member, complained to the university authorities, pointing out that its event management policy was “committed to the protection of freedom of speech” and the society’s own aims claimed to promote “exposure to a diversity of thought” for members.

Nick Craven, The Mail on Sunday, 20th September 2020.

University of Exeter “No Platforming” of Catholic Campaigner Overturned by Free Speech Union

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Within hours the invitation was restored. They would have got away with it if wasn’t for that pesky Free Speech Union…

Guido Fawkes, 18th September 2020

Why is the government pushing unprecedented online censorship?

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As our new briefing at the Free Speech Union explains, [the government’s plans] will lead to sweeping online censorship unprecedented in a democracy. Some of the harms the plans describe are vague, like “unacceptable content” and “disinformation”. The new regulations will prohibit material “that may directly or indirectly cause harm” even if it is “not necessarily illegal”.

Dr Radomir Tylecote, The Daily Telegraph, 18th September 2020.

Conservative Intellectual Douglas Murray on the Newly Emboldened Radical Left and Why the Silent Majority Needs to Speak Up

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Author Douglas Murray talks about the new Afterword to The Madness of Crowds, his best-selling book about identity politics, and the events of the last six months which have accelerated the toxic trends he warned about.

Toby Young interviews Douglas Murray, Quillette Podcast, 3rd September 2020.

This is “not a fundamentally racist society” | Inaya Folarin Iman interview

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We discuss the importance of free speech, the threats to it, and why Inaya thinks the Black Lives Matter movement is not only incorrect in its assumptions but divisive and disempowering for black people.

Max Klinger interviews Inaya Folarin Iman, E2 Review Podcast, 25th August 2020.

SNP’s Hate Crime bill will increase hate not reduce it says Robert Oulds

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The Free Speech Union’s submission to the public consultation, prepared by Professor Andrew Tettenborn of Swansea University, regards the Bill as the most draconian constraint on free speech in the Western world.

Robert Oulds and Niall McCrae The Express, 27th August 2020.

“Cancelling our past does not help our future: INAYA FOLARIN IMAN argues that move to axe Proms favourites Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory serves no purpose”

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Indeed, that is why my own mother, who raised me and my siblings single-handedly, came from Nigeria to Britain. She saw it as a “land of hope” with so many more opportunities than her native country would offer us. She has been to the Proms and has no problem with the lyrics.

Inaya Folarin Iman, Daily Mail, 23rd August 2020.

Political discrimination should be as unacceptable as racism at universities

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Oxford don Nigel Biggar, who has been called a ‘pariah’ for his work on the Empire, says the threat to academic freedom is no myth.

Nigel Biggar, The Daily Telegraph, 8th August 2020.

The proof that free speech in universities is in peril

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Having identified the problem, the authors [of the Policy Exchange paper] propose a solution: an Academic Freedom Bill. This would create a Director for Academic Freedom as a member of the senior team at the Office for Students, the English universities’ regulator, who would report directly to the board and be appointed by the Education Secretary.

Toby Young, The Spectator, 8th August 2020.

“Common sense has won the day”: Youth charity boss who was forced out by trustees for criticising BLM’s “neo-Marxist” agenda says his reinstatement is a victory against “cancel culture”

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Mr Buckley was supported by the Free Speech Union, which backed the counter-petition and found him top corporate lawyer Geoffrey Davies. “In their anxiety to be politically correct the trustees simply ignored their contractual obligations,” said Mr Davies, from Keystone Law.

Mark Hookham, Mail on Sunday, 26th July 2020.

In the Media

Articles That Mention the Free Speech Union

Exeter University debating society is forced into humiliating U-turn after “disinviting” Catholic author opposed to gay marriage – only to then re-invite her and call it “a mistake”

University of Exeter “No Platforming” of Catholic Campaigner Overturned by Free Speech Union

Why is the government pushing unprecedented online censorship?

Conservative Intellectual Douglas Murray on the Newly Emboldened Radical Left and Why the Silent Majority Needs to Speak Up

This is “not a fundamentally racist society” | Inaya Folarin Iman interview

SNP’s Hate Crime bill will increase hate not reduce it says Robert Oulds

“Cancelling our past does not help our future: INAYA FOLARIN IMAN argues that move to axe Proms favourites Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory serves no purpose”

Political discrimination should be as unacceptable as racism at universities

The proof that free speech in universities is in peril

“Common sense has won the day”: Youth charity boss who was forced out by trustees for criticising BLM’s “neo-Marxist” agenda says his reinstatement is a victory against “cancel culture”

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