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# Canterbury University’s Free Speech Flip Flop
- URL: https://goodoil.news/canterbury-universitys-free-speech-flip-flop/
- Published: 2019-09-29T19:30:51.000Z
- Updated: 2019-09-29T03:57:03.000Z
- Author: Good Oil Staff
- Tags: Education, Free Speech, NZ, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-07-17 03:49

Only two weeks ago Canterbury University [undertook NOT to censor ](https://thebfd.co.nz/2019/08/university-of-canterbury-correct-to-not-interfere-with-student-comedy/?ref=goodoil.news)its students’ comedy revue.

> “So it was reassuring to read of the university’s refusal to jump to the prune-faced demands that it suppress the irreverence and bad taste mockery that is a time-honoured celebration of **student freedom of speech.** We commend the acting law school dean, Professor Elizabeth Toomey, for stating that “**the university does ‘not play to the role of censor.’** Given the cowardice displayed recently at some other universities, that showed courage.”  
>  
> [The BFD](https://thebfd.co.nz/2019/08/university-of-canterbury-correct-to-not-interfere-with-student-comedy/?ref=goodoil.news)

Now, only two weeks later, there has been a complete flip flop from the University which has gone ahead and censored the Canterbury University’s student law revue, instead of maintaining a neutral role that supports freedom of speech.

> \[…\] by **doling out punishment** to the creators of the Canterbury Law Revue, the University is censoring in spades,” says Free Speech Coalition spokesperson Jordan Williams.

> “Forcing community service and placing a stain on the creator’s academic record for what was really just a bad joke illustrates a disappointingly authoritarian streak.

> “Canterbury’s flimsy assertion that it protects offensive speech is apparently mere lip service. Free speech is clearly not a valued by its administrators.”

> “Sadly, Canterbury University joins Massey University as a once proud institution and bastion of free speech, thought, and student culture giving in to **paternalistic censorship.”**  
>  
> Free Speech Coalition Press Release