Media

Hate Speech Bill in late 2022: Still a threat to free expression?

The "Hate Speech" Bill should not provide for as many "protected grounds" against hate speech as it does: it should be limited by the narrower terms contained in Section 16 of the Constitution. The Bill's definition of "harm" is too wide as well. In fact, it can be scrapped in its entirety as the existing Equality Act is more than sufficient.

Hate speech will hobble free speech*

Supporting free speech vigorously means accepting that people are entitled to express hate speech. The response to hate speech should not be to criminalise it, subject only to the Constitution and existing legislation; the Hate Bill speech is unwanted and unnecessary.

Haidt resigns in protest over ideological capture

NYU professor and leading social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has resigned from his professional body due to the new requirement that members must include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and anti-racism commitments if they want to present research at any conference. Haidt is a leader in the anti-woke movement.

PayPal defunds the Free Speech Union in the UK

PayPal says Free Speech Union (UK) has breached its 'Acceptable Use Policy' but no reason is given - go figure!

UCT student awarded over R300,000 from UCT for defamation

Defamation is a limit on freedom of speech. If a statement made publicly about a person and is unproven, not in the public interest and damaging, the accused may sue for defamation.

Irish Teacher Imprisoned for Continuing to Teach after Refusing to Use ‘Gender-Neutral’ Pronouns

Teacher Enoch Burke refused to call a transgender child "they" for reasons of his faith as an evangelical Christian. After the school obtained two interlocutory injunctions, Burke was arrested, brought before court and imprisoned to Mountjoy Prison, to remain there indefinitely “until he purges his contempt or until further order of this court.”

Letter to the Western Cape Education Department on social justice

FSU SA addressed a letter to the WCED cautioning the department about the manner in which allegations at schools are being handled. FSU SA also urged the department to be critical about the appointment of consultants to help schools manage these issues.

When high-school students can’t tolerate hearing the name of a book title, we know there’s a problem in education. Although this is an American occurrence, South Africa is heading this way.