06-05-2025
Artists ‘terrified to speak freely about Gaza and gender issues'
Artists are terrified to speak freely about Gaza and gender issues, a free speech study has found.
The campaign group Freedom in Arts claims there has been a steep decline in artistic freedom over the past five years.
A large majority of artists, 78 per cent, would not 'dare own up to Right-of-centre political opinions', according to a survey of British arts professionals.
The study found that within the arts sector, the 'left' and 'woke' stance is considered good, while the 'Right' or 'anti-woke' stance is considered bad.
Arts organisations are 'oppressively politicised' with a 'very one-sided view of social issues [that] stifles debate, humour and nuance in the arts', the survey respondents claimed.
Artists prefer to self-censor rather than risk their livelihoods, stifling the expression of dissenting opinions on gender ideology, Palestine, racial politics, and immigration, the study found.
'Support for Brexit = instant leprosy'
It cites the cases of Graham Linehan, creator of Father Ted, who was ostracised from the TV industry for his gender-critical views, and Helen Joyce, a gender-critical author who was shunned by literary festivals, as examples of those who have paid the price for speaking out.
A majority 84 per cent of respondents said they never or rarely felt free to express their opinions openly in the arts sector.
Opinions on transgender issues were identified by artists as the most risky, with many noting that disagreeing with comments like 'trans women are women' could be 'career-ending'.
Being sceptical of 'anti-racism' practices, critical race theory, or diversity quotas was also raised as a career risk.
Similarly, any support for tighter border controls or Brexit as a political project risked censure within the arts, with one respondent stating that 'Support for Brexit = instant leprosy in my field'.
Surveyed artists said they preferred to stay silent rather than speak freely. The situation has worsened since 2020, when less than 20 per cent of served arts professionals feared voicing their opinions.
'Some beginning to resist ideological conformity'
Now 80 per cent fear speaking freely, and 74 per cent say they felt pressure from their colleagues to conform ideologically.
Instead, arts professionals 'keep their head down' to avoid any repercussions, the Freedom In Arts (FITA) survey found.
Rosie Kay, co-founder of FITA. said: 'Artists are being forced into silence, not because they lack creativity, but because they fear professional repercussions.
'This report gives voice to those who have been marginalised, punished, and isolated for simply expressing their views.'
While there is a culture of fear, some are beginning to resist ideological conformity in the sector, with 75 or respondents making concrete suggestions for reform to ensure free speech in the arts.
Denise Fahmy, a co-founder of FITA, said: 'Change is possible, but it requires a concerted commitment to freedom of expression from artists, cultural leaders, and policymakers to create an environment where diverse viewpoints can thrive without fear of reprisal.'
