More de-platforming... by the state

[glazbagun]

So the government wants to allow people to sue universities for de-platforming them on controversial topics... while de-platforming professionals on their specialist subjects if they have ever publicly disagreed with the government. I'd heard of this becoming policy but this is the first instance that's caught my attention.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65675247

It seems equally as insane as the university deplatforming stuff IMO. Good job we don't have a charismatic leader or we'd end up with our own Erdogan at the rate we're going!

[bitchstewie]

Are you surprised?

[Randy Winkman]

Presumably they will now have to be very careful about suggesting they might platform people. Then they can't be accused of de-platforming them.

[DeejRC]

This is nothing new.
The MOD has always done stuff like this and if you ever read any of the stuff you sign with them it says quite clearly they have the right to do this kind of thing.

[Timothy Bucktu]

Don't use Twitter would be my advice. It seems almost everyone falls as a result of a Twitter post?
Just wind people up on PH with a semi-autonomous user name instead.

[JuanCarlosFandango]

The idea of stopping a small group of staff and SU activists deciding who can and can not speak at universities is a good one. The fact that they're a bunch of hypocritical morons is no news.

[vetrof]

Timothy Bucktu said:

Don't use Twitter would be my advice. It seems almost everyone falls as a result of a Twitter post?
Just wind people up on PH with a semi-autonomous user name instead.

Sound advice.

[sospan]

It would be interesting to see how some politicians would be treated when they were due to address groups. Many seem to get on the public speaking bandwagon for substantial fees. Bearing in mind what they have got up to and posted on social media, made wildly exaggerated claims and promises during election campaigns, they are far more likely to be controversial choices and likely to be biased in their speeches.
Blair charges big money to be a speaker, and hasn’t Boris been on the bandwagon? Apologies if wrong but trying to show a balanced view!

[Randy Winkman]

JuanCarlosFandango said:

The idea of stopping a small group of staff and SU activists deciding who can and can not speak at universities is a good one. The fact that they're a bunch of hypocritical morons is no news.

I agree with the first part of this.

But there has to be a decision making process and it will always be a matter of opinion and up for some sort of debate. These things don't happen as part of a natural process. Someone/some people make calls and send emails.