Explore our pages of knowledge, skills and advice.
Get informed and get active.
In general, those in a position of responsibility should exercise some control. This does not amount to censorship, some material can do damage to individuals or groups through libel or incitement to hatred.
Perhaps you might like to think through your decision in a systematic way:
- why might you allow it?
- why might you prevent it being circulated or shown?
Here are some other factors to consider when assessing material:
- Is it in danger of violating the law about inciting hatred, violence, or glorification of terrorism?
- Does it distort or misrepresent the truth about individuals, groups, ideas? If so, you might not want to 'censor' it, but you might want to exercise some wisdom in how you present it, and whether you give space to corrections, opposing points of view, and so on.
- Is it contributing to a destructive atmosphere?
- Consult any relevant existing university policies for guidance and precedents; your own organisation; FOSIS http://www.fosis.org.uk/; and current practice on 'no platform' and similar policies.
Know your limits:
- you might like to clarify your boundaries by using this tool or defining your own limits.
Consider developing a 'policy' on the issue, if you think you need to. This has advantages: it prevents unfairness by applying restrictions in some cases but not others that might, objectively, be similar.
What constructive or imaginative solutions can you think of beyond the 'Either/Or' of 'ban or tolerate'?