Fighting back against the censors

Dan Hitchens reports on the groups who are taking the battle for free speech forward by speaking truth to power

OVER THE LAST DECADE, Britain’s free speech advocates have faced a frustrating puzzle. They seem to have the public on their side: a Com-Res poll earlier this year found that half the population agrees with the statement “Free speech is under threat”, and less than a quarter disagrees. The government, too, seems sympathetic. “Freedom of speech is at the core of our democracy,” Boris Johnson declared in February as he outlined plans to appoint a “free speech champion” for the higher education sector. And yet, on the ground — in workplaces, in universities, even in how people relate to their neighbours — there’s never been more fear of expressing an honest opinion. Partly it’s a simple question of power dynamics. When people fall foul of the new speech codes, they…

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The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, June 2021

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