Helga Law Journal - 01.01.2021, Side 187

Helga Law Journal - 01.01.2021, Side 187
Helga Law Journal Vol. 1, 2021 192 International Legal Research Group 193 events.’396 Although the majority of student unions surveyed within the inquiry confirmed they are confident that they and their companions can speak freely,’397 such prevalent ‘disincentives could be having a wider “chilling effect”’398 on freedom of speech and the right to protest within and outside university campuses. 8.4 Factors Limiting Freedom of Speech and the Right to Peaceful Protest Although the JCHR found ‘no wholesale censorship of debate at universities,’399 the report highlighted numerous incidents ‘where student led activities or student attitudes towards certain groups have impinged on others’ rights to freedom of expression or association.’400 8.4.1 Student Activity 8.4.1.1 No Platforming Policies The National Union of Students (‘NUS’) and many student unions have no platforming policies. According to the NUS, the objective of a no platform policy ‘is to prevent individuals or groups known to hold racist or fascist views from speaking at student union events and to ensure that student union officers do not share a public platform with such individuals or groups.’401 Moreover, evidence demonstrates significant support for such policies, with a survey undertaken by ComRes highlighting that 63% of UK university students surveyed ‘support the NUS having a “No Platforming” policy’402 and 54% share the view that ‘the NUS is right to enforce the policy against individuals they believe threaten a safe space.’403 However, such policies have often ‘been a source of tension,’404 with critics condemning ‘the “disinvitation” of various high-profile speakers as an attack on free speech.’405 No platforming policies generate ‘regular headlines revealing the 396 ibid. 397 ibid. 398 ibid. 399 ibid. 400 ibid. 401 'NUS' No Platform Policy @ NUS Connect' (Nusconnect.org.uk, 2018) <https://www.nusconnect.org.uk/resources/nus-no-platform-policy-f22f> accessed 1 June 2018. 402 'BBC Victoria Derbyshire “No Platform” Poll - Comres' (Comresglobal.com, 2016) <http://www.comresglobal.com/polls/bbc-victoria-derbyshire-no-platform-poll/> accessed 1 June 2018. 403 ibid. 404 Alfie Packham, 'Boris, Tatchell, Greer: Were They Actually No-Platformed?' (the Guardian, 2016) <https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/may/05/boris-tatchell-greer-were-they-actually- no-platformed> accessed 1 June 2018. 405 ibid. latest jilted and aggrieved activist, academic or politician.’406 Moreover, recent ministerial announcements share this theme as Sam Gyimah MP has stated that higher education bodies ‘must stamp out their “institutional hostility” to unfashionable views,’407 with warnings that ‘universities which “no-platform” controversial speakers will face Government intervention for the first time in 30 years.’408 The term no platforming has been utilised to describe an array of student actions ranging from ‘internal decisions within student bodies to ban external speakers/groups from speaking at universities’409 to ‘disinviting speakers due to pressure from other students who oppose the speaker’s presence in the university.’410 Although it is accepted that not all student actions within the scope of this policy limit freedom of speech and the right to protest, it is evident that such rights are ‘unduly interfered’411 with: i) ‘when protests become so disruptive that they prevent the speakers from speaking or intimidate those attending;’412 ii) ‘if student groups are unable to invite speakers purely because other groups protest and oppose their appearance;’413 and iii) ‘if students are deterred from inviting speakers by complicated processes and bureaucratic procedures.’414 Moreover, although ‘not widespread,’415 it is apparent that ‘all these problems do occur,’416 reinforcing the notion that institutions are essentially failing to fulfil their role and responsibilities in promoting freedom of speech and the right to protest within and outside their campuses. 8.4.1.2 Intolerance Towards Some Groups and Issues and Disruptive Protests As identified by the JCHR, evidence suggests that instances where freedom of speech has been limited ‘usually involve groups who are perceived as minorities, or as having views which some could consider to be offensive, but which are not necessarily unlawful.’417 In some circumstances, there have been ‘unacceptable incidents’418 where freedom of speech has been impeded by student activities, namely disruptive protests. Instances such as this include disruption at University of West England 406 ibid. 407 Camilla Turner, 'Universities Which 'No-Platform' Controversial Speakers Will Face Government Intervention' (The Telegraph, 2018) <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2018/05/03/universities-no-platform-controversial- speakers-will-face-government/> accessed 1 June 2018. 408 ibid. 409 (n 3). 410 ibid. 411 ibid. 412 ibid. 413 ibid. 414 ibid. 415 ibid. 416 ibid. 417 ibid. 418 ibid.
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