University of Sydney review proposes ‘civility rule’ that requires ‘meaning of contested words’ to be made clear

Lecturer questions if academics will have to explain context of every phrase they use, saying those who speak up on Palestine would be affected

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

The University of Sydney senate has backed the introduction of a new civility rule" requiring speakers to make the meaning of contested words and phrases clear to the audience" and to maintain its strict ban on protests in buildings, prompting accusations it is curbing freedom of speech.

The external review into the university's policies and processes, led by the barrister Bruce Hodgkinson SC, was commissioned after the disbanding of the university's long-running pro-Palestine encampment in July.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email