The coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech.

The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues.

Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” consistent with the central government’s expectations. The changes will also prohibit tertiary institutions from adopting positions on issues that do not relate to their core functions.

"Despite being required by the Education Act and the Bill of Rights Act to uphold academic freedom and freedom of expression, there is a growing trend of universities deplatforming speakers and cancelling events where they might be perceived as controversial or offensive.

  • TagMeInSkipIGotThis@lemmy.nz
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    6 days ago

    This is the thing.

    The Freeze Peach morons were campaigning recently to allow Candace Owens in on free speech grounds, as if she doesn’t already have a massive platform to speak whatever she wants.

    Freedom for individuals to express themselves how they want isn’t the same as forcing venues or institutions to host that expression if they don’t want to.