free speech

The motion says the university's conflict of interest policy “provides the university unbridled discretion to restrict faculty speech on public issues based on impermissible considerations that have nothing to do with faculty integrity or discipline.”

The trustees' chairmen denied that the trustees played a role in the decision to prohibit the professors from participating in “outside activities” that would conflict with UF’s policies.

The university's report follows an outcry about the school blocking professors from testifying in a challenge to a controversial elections law.

It is seeking documents and communications regarding the creation of the school’s conflicts-of-interest policy after three professors were initially prohibited from testifying in a lawsuit.

The lawsuit comes despite the university reversing course and allowing the professors to testify as experts in a case challenging a new elections law.

University of Florida President Kent Fuchs reversed a decision that kept three professors from serving as expert witnesses in a case on changes to Florida’s election rules Friday.

The United Faculty of Florida made the demand on Friday in response to university leaders prohibiting three professors from being paid as expert witnesses in a lawsuit challenging a new Florida elections law that critics say harms voting rights.

This ruling split from a South Florida federal judge, who sided in August with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in a challenge to the state law. In both cases, the plaintiffs argued that the law was an unconstitutional restriction on speech.

The federal government recently announced it would investigate threats against local school board members. The announcement comes amid growing acrimony between parental groups and public school leaders over issues like face masks and critical race theory. Yet, where some see a threat—others see an exercise of free speech.

Republicans tout the bill as an effort to ensure students aren’t being shielded from unpopular views.

The First Amendment Foundation (FAF) in Tallahassee keeps watch over policy discussions that could impede the public’s right to know about government...

Free-speech zones would be banned, and state universities and colleges could be sued for disrupting campus speakers or peaceful protesters under a bill…