Free speech at unis is back in the news as fines might be levied against those who block speakers.

This isn't the first time that the issues has come up...

A couple of years ago myself and @rachelschraer FOI'ed all unis to find out the scale of the issue.

Yes - there are cases of it happening. Yes - thousands of events do not get blocked.

Its important to see the full picture on this topic https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-45447938

We FOI'ed a minister who said they'd received letters saying universities were banning books.

That's a very emotive claim.

One book on Holocaust denial had been restricted at one uni. Not banned.

So, again, it needs reasoned debate not emotive claims.

It's also worth looking at overlapping free speech laws.

Unis already legally have to promote free speech. They also have to ensure extremism is monitored.

This means some Muslim pupils shy away from debate/speakers, according to SOAS research