The Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) violates freedom of expression of both university students and academics in universities. It controls the content of statements that can be issued and the kinds of activities (meetings, demonstrations etc.) that may be conducted on campuses by requiring prior approval of campus authorities. For example, in November 1997, the government banned academics from speaking publicly about the haze problem which was affecting tourism. Earlier, academics had been interviewed regularly by the media and were providing facts and opinion on the problem.