The UK is now ranked only in the third tier on a global index of freedom of expression due to what is described as the “chilling effect” of government policies, policing and the intimidation of journalists.
Chile, Jamaica and virtually every other Western European state are ranked above us in the list compiled by the advocacy group Index on Censorship.
As a parliamentarian, I am both shocked and embarrassed by this. How has this sad state of affairs come about and what can we do about it?
The police have enthusiastically embraced the recording of non-crime hate incidents. Non-crime incidents have never been required by Parliament in legislation and it is certainly not a crime to make somebody feel uncomfortable.
In this category, the police have interviewed people for tweeting feminist songs and not allowing a guide dog into a shop.
If only Orwell was alive today…
Universities cannot function effectively without free speech yet there have been a number of appalling incidents representing a decline in academic freedom.
For instance, Prof Kathleen Stock was hounded out of her job at Sussex University for stating a simple biological fact that men cannot become women and vice versa. Academics and invited speakers have been cancelled.
The UK is now ranked only in the third tier on a global index of freedom of expression due to what is described as the “chilling effect” of government policies, policing and the intimidation of journalists.
Chile, Jamaica and virtually every other Western European state are ranked above us in the list compiled by the advocacy group Index on Censorship.
As a parliamentarian, I am both shocked and embarrassed by this. How has this sad state of affairs come about and what can we do about it?
The police have enthusiastically embraced the recording of non-crime hate incidents. Non-crime incidents have never been required by Parliament in legislation and it is certainly not a crime to make somebody feel uncomfortable.
In this category, the police have interviewed people for tweeting feminist songs and not allowing a guide dog into a shop.
If only Orwell was alive today…
Universities cannot function effectively without free speech yet there have been a number of appalling incidents representing a decline in academic freedom.
For instance, Prof Kathleen Stock was hounded out of her job at Sussex University for stating a simple biological fact that men cannot become women and vice versa. Academics and invited speakers have been cancelled.