Company Directory - Free Speech Union
Company Details - Free Speech Union
Free Speech Union
WebsiteUnited Kingdom
A campaign organization in the UK that aims to protect free speech. It provides legal advice and assistance to individuals facing censorship or other threats to their freedom of speech.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Free Speech Union
69.68
-0.25%
Latest Event
Free Speech Union Director Criticizes Nursery School Censorship
Lord Young, director of the Free Speech Union, publicly condemned the exclusion of a toddler from nursery school on the grounds of alleged transphobia, describing the incident as 'totalitarian insanity' and arguing that such rigid policies amount to authoritarian overreach.
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LEADER
Free Speech Union is currently rated as a Leader.
Latest Events
- MAR312025
Lord Young, director of the Free Speech Union, publicly condemned the exclusion of a toddler from nursery school on the grounds of alleged transphobia, describing the incident as 'totalitarian insanity' and arguing that such rigid policies amount to authoritarian overreach.
- FEB252025
Free Speech Union published an article on February 25, 2025, critiquing Ofcom’s guidance which urges social media companies to censor lawful, yet controversial content characterized as 'misogynistic'. The article warns that such regulatory overreach may lead to excessive pre-emptive censorship that threatens free speech.
+80
Public and Political Behavior
March 31
The article embodies a strong stance against authoritarian censorship and regulatory overreach by highlighting the risks of silencing lawful speech. This aligns with anti-fascist values and an active defense of free speech, thus scoring highly in Public and Political Behavior.
UK’s online regulator urges social media to censor lawful but ‘misogynistic’ speech
- FEB242025
On February 24, 2025, Toby Young of the Free Speech Union condemned the government's spending of over £5.3 million on developing an AI censorship tool aimed at policing posts. He described the initiative as politically unwise and reminiscent of authoritarian measures, equating it to attempts to 'kill Musk's Twitter' under the Trump-Vance administration.
+80
Public and Political Behavior
March 31
Toby Young’s public condemnation of deploying an AI censorship tool reflects a strong anti-authoritarian stance. By denouncing the project, Free Speech Union underscores its commitment to protecting free speech against measures that mirror fascist tactics.
Labour Slammed For Deploying AI Censorship Tool to Police Posts
+60
Technology and Services Impact
March 31
The condemnation explicitly challenges the use of AI for censorship, highlighting the risk of deploying technology that can facilitate repressive practices. Free Speech Union's stance reinforces the ethical use of technology in supporting free speech.
Labour Slammed For Deploying AI Censorship Tool to Police Posts
- JAN062025
The Free Speech Union has initiated a judicial review challenging Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's decision to halt further implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, arguing that the move undermines progress on free speech protections at universities.
+70
Public and Political Behavior
March 31
By launching a judicial review against the government's decision to pause HEFSA, the Free Speech Union is actively defending free speech and academic freedom. This legal challenge is a proactive stance against authoritarian measures that threaten open debate and the rights of marginalized communities.
Government pauses higher education free speech act, sparking concerns among campaigners
- OCT302024
The Free Speech Union, in coalition with other campaign groups, successfully lobbied to have a clause removed from the Online Safety Act that would have empowered the UK Secretary of State to mandate content removal by social media companies. This move is interpreted as defending free speech and preventing the expansion of government censorship powers.
+80
Public and Political Behavior
March 31
The Free Speech Union’s successful lobbying to remove a provision that would have granted excessive censorship powers aligns with anti-authoritarian and pro-free speech principles. By resisting measures that could be misused for political censorship, the organization demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting democratic freedoms and marginalized voices.
- AUG272024
The Free Speech Union initiated a legal challenge against the UK Education Secretary, forcing government lawyers to reveal that concerns over maintaining lucrative relationships with authoritarian regimes, particularly relating to Chinese interests at British university overseas campuses, led to the shelving of a free speech law.
+70
Public and Political Behavior
March 31
By sending a pre-action protocol which compelled the government to disclose that financial and diplomatic concerns—rooted in maintaining ties with authoritarian regimes like China—were behind shelving a free speech law, FSU demonstrated a strong commitment to transparency and resisting authoritarian influence. This legal action supports democratic accountability and protects free speech on campuses, aligning with anti-fascist principles.
- JUL112024
The Free Speech Union's advocacy helped ensure the activation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, mandating that higher education providers uphold and promote free speech. This legislative victory marks the organization’s most significant win since its formation in 2020, reinforcing academic freedom and countering authoritarian trends on campus.
+80
Public and Political Behavior
March 31
The campaign's success in promoting the activation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting free speech in academic settings. By ensuring that universities are legally bound to uphold freedom of expression, FSU counters authoritarian impulses and supports democratic debate, a move seen as aggressively anti-authoritarian and progressive.
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