Pulse Warns KSU’s Abortion Freshers’ Ban Amounts To Censorship And Infringement Of Free Speech
Pulse has decried KSU’s decision to ban Moviment Graffitti from distributing pro-choice material at Freshers’ Week as an act of censorship and an infringement on free speech.
“Regardless of one’s stance on the matter, it is unacceptable for any organisation—especially one claiming to represent students—to stifle the voice of another,” Pulse said.
“This act not only silences Moviment Graffitti but also serves as an act of intimidation against any student who intends to express an opinion at the University of Malta.”
“Universities are meant to be spaces for open dialogue, where diverse perspectives can be discussed respectfully and thoughtfully. Censorship, in whatever form it takes, undermines this very foundation.”
KSU said that it banned any abortion-related entities, pro-choice and pro-life alike, from Freshers’ Week because the event “doesn’t provide an adequate platform for this discussion to take place with the gravitas it deserves”.
However, it has been heavily criticised for attempting to control discussions on controversial issues in a space that should be the heartbeat of open discussion.
In fact, Pulse said the move is an “affront to intellectual freedom, which students and organisations at the university should be freely allowed to exercise.”
They also pointed out that KSU’s own statute states that it should “empower, encourage and give opportunities to students to help them participate in and contribute to society”.
Photos: Moviment Graffitti
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