Lawmaker’s bill aims to guard free speech at Arizona universities. Critics decry censoring – By Helena Wegner (The Republic) / Feb 17 2020
Arizona’s public universities would be required to follow guidelines for speeches and debates on public policy issues under a bill proposed at the Legislature.
House Bill 2238, sponsored by Rep. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, would require the Arizona Board of Regents to establish an Office of Public Policy Events at each university.
That office would oversee the organizing and staging of debates, lectures and discussions with guests from “multiple, divergent and opposing perspectives.”
The bill does not establish a required number of events. But every debate, forum or lecture would have to be recorded and stored online for at least five years. The office also must keep permanent copies of videos and maintain a public calendar that lists past and future events.
The Arizona Board of Regents has not taken a position on the bill. Representatives from Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University declined to comment.
Rep. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, applauds during Gov. Doug Ducey’s State of the State address at the Arizona State Capitol Jan. 13, 2020. (Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)
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