UK universities 'are attacking free speech', says report

Increase in prohibitions sees campuses censoring speakers, songs and newspapers

Free speech
(Image credit: Cristina Quicler/AFP/Getty Images)

The principle of free speech is under attack at British universities, according to new research, with serious restrictions being placed on expression at more than half of campuses last year.

Freedom of Information requests and analysis of student-union policies conducted by online magazine Spiked showed that out of 115 universities, 55 per cent had banned speakers, pressure groups, types of behaviour, songs and hand gestures, up from 41 per cent in 2014.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us