Queen's and Ulster University's social media restrictions 'are so broad you could be punished for saying almost anything' says anti-censorship campaigner Toby Young
Restrictions on what students at Northern Ireland's two universities can say are so far-reaching that they "could be used to punish a student for saying almost anything", according to the head of the Free Speech Union.
The News Letter has come across speech codes which are in force at both Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University which curb students' social media usage.
The leader of the pressure group the Committee for Academic Freedom has told the News Letter that these policies "would be unlikely to pass muster" in Great Britain, where there have been recent moves towards enshrining free speech at universities, adding that their existence should serve as "a wake-up call for the region’s political leaders".
The News Letter has previously reported on Queen's University Belfast's transgender policy which bans "derogatory" jokes about transgenderism and makes refusal to recognise someone's self-declared gender a "zero tolerance" disciplinary matter.
It has now alighted upon policies at both universities that limits students from posting material in general.
THE ULSTER UNIVERSITY POLICY:
Ulster University’s policy states: "Any communication by an Ulster University student made in a personal capacity through social media must not:
"Do anything that could be considered discriminatory against, or bullying or harassing of, any individual, eg, making offensive or derogatory comments relating to sex, gender, race (including nationality), disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age...
"Bring discredit to the university in any way, eg, by insulting fellow students or other individuals; making/sharing defamatory or offensive comments about individuals or groups; liking/posting/sharing/linking to images or other content that is inappropriate, sexually explicit or illegal."
It adds that "if there is any doubt about the accuracy of information to be shared on a social media network or site, then students should refrain from posting, commenting, liking or sharing this information".
Breaches of the policy can lead to disciplinary action.
THE QUB POLICY:
The Queen's policy is similar, but instead of applying to all social media activity by all students it is limited to "students who are using social media in any way which relates to, or can be associated with, the university or its activities or the student's affiliation to the university" (in other words, it applies if someone can deduce online that you are a Queen's student).
Under its policy, Queen’s may order a student to remove content, and can take disciplinary action.
The Queen’s policy states that students must not post anything "inappropriate" or "profane", and must not "express or support sexist, racist, sectarian, homophobic or transphobic views" or engage in the "dissemination of misleading information".
They must also not "post, upload, forward or post a link to offensive or inappropriate jokes or offensive or inappropriate images (including those aimed at or related to any protected characteristic or groups under the University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy) or gossip".
The policy says students must not "claim 'banter' or 'joking' as an excuse for engaging in any of the above activities".
It later re-emphasises that "students must not use social media to engage in any activity which could reasonably be considered as negative, derogatory or offensive in terms of a person’s gender identity/expression (this includes transgender and non-binary people); pregnancy or maternity status; marital or civil partnership status; whether or not they have dependants (including caring responsibilities); religious belief or political opinion; race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, including Irish Travellers); disability; sexual orientation and age".
The Queen’s document adds that "this policy does not intend to restrict the freedom of speech of students".
‘INCOMPATIBLE WITH DUTY TO FREE SPEECH’:
Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union: "These rules are so broad and poorly defined they could be used to punish a student for saying almost anything.
"For instance, who's to say what content is or is not appropriate when it comes to what students are allowed to like on social media?
"Would a comedy routine by Ricky Gervais be inappropriate?
"I suspect the subjective, poorly defined language is deliberate so woke administrators can punish students for posting and liking right-of-centre content in the pretence that they're just enforcing neutral rules designed to make everyone feel safe."
Dr Edward Skidelsky, a philosphy lecturer at the University of Exeter and director of the Committee for Academic Freedom, told the News Letter: “While universities are right to expect high standards of conduct, we’ve seen far too many behaviour codes – particularly those built around vague and highly contestable terms such as ‘transphobia’ or ‘offensive’ speech – drift far beyond what UK law actually requires.
"England’s new Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act [which applies only to GB] has forced universities to tighten up their rules, and the Office for Students is clear that over-broad social-media policies of this kind are incompatible with the statutory duty to secure free speech within the law.
"The wording in both the Ulster and Queen’s policies would be unlikely to pass muster under England’s new regime. But Northern Ireland has no equivalent framework.
"This should be a wake-up call for the region’s political leaders: it’s time to take a serious look at whether the protections for lawful speech on campus are fit for purpose.”
UU POLICY BEING UPDATED:
Criticism of the policy was put to Queen's, but it did not respond.
Ulster University meanwhile said: "This policy has recently been updated and is currently being screened in line with the university’s Equality Scheme.
"There is no intention on behalf of the university to restrict lawful speech…
"The updated policy is currently undergoing screening under the university’s Equality Scheme and may change based on the outcome.
"For this reason, we cannot share details until it is finalised.
"The final version will be published once screening, any required consultation, and sign-off are complete."