A few months ago a member of the local sump won this book through a BFD draw. It was passed on to me to read and review. I would not normally purchase such a book nor get it from the local library, though it is available to borrow.
It was timely to read this book as unfortunately the current Labour Government is determined to bring in new statutes and have the courts regulate our traditional right of free speech. It is imperative to understand the strong political will of the left in power; they plan to change the laws and restrict opinions and behaviour. Tolerance and debate must be constrained, as opposing views can be ‘harmful’ and ‘offend’ others, they say.
The detailed research in Free Speech under Attack is invaluable for anyone concerned about our current freedom of expression being limited. The reader will learn about the history of censorship and find out the far-reaching changes Ardern’s Labour Government wants to bring in. The book explores the struggle for free speech in England from the days of John Milton (1608-74), in which he attacked the suppression of truth by the censors and argued for tolerance in a range of subjects.
A system of suppression is always apt to put down truth.
John Milton Areopagitica (1644)
This book brings together a record of recent political cancel-culture examples, where the left is determined to censor free speech. One case in point (in 2018), saw Jan Thomas, vice-chancellor of Massey University, banning Don Brash from giving a lecture on racial equality on campus. Thomas gave him one day’s notice, claiming dubious ‘security reasons’, p167. Calling free speech ‘hate speech’, because someone might be offended, muddies the waters. Golriz Ghahraman’s strident call for “stricter boundaries on what people are allowed to say when they genuinely believe it” makes her “a menace not only to our society but to freedom in our society. This is how tyranny begins,” according to MP David Seymour (p121).
The 17 chapters cover topics ranging from how speech became ‘violence’, to threats to free speech, de-platforming speakers, university influences, banning a pamphlet, identity politics and more. The book has 212 pages, photos, good chapter references and a comprehensive index.
Robert Stanmore in the final chapter Hey, Give Us Back Our Rights criticises both the Labour and National parties for encroaching on NZ free speech through the misnamed Human Rights Act 1993 and the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015. Ironically, on 31 March 2022, Judith Collins’ own harmful digital communication legislation was applied against two in her own party when a Labour MP used the legislative tools necessary to track down online ‘abuse’.
David Seymour pointed out that the current law is sufficient and does not want Labour’s interference.
It’s not really complicated. If you cross over into violence, you are a criminal, but nobody should be afraid to speak their mind.
The five contributing authors are:
Peter Cresswell, Auckland architect, former editor of the Free Radical Magazine and contributing author to Twisting the Treaty and One Treaty, One Nation.
Jeremy Fisher, journalist and author.
David Round, previously a lecturer in law, Canterbury University and author of Truth or Treaty; Common Sense Questions About the Treaty of Waitangi.
Robert Stanmore, author of The Fraud of Human Rights.
Tim Wikiriwhi, promoter of Libertarian ideals and Christian values.
The proposed law plans to increase penalties up to three years jail and a $50,000 fine. The political fight to retain long-held rights is a struggle and well-advanced. Freedom of expression is being ‘attacked’ as never before, but appears to be on hold as Labour faces dropping polls.
Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said:
That while the law reform remains on his agenda, there was no commitment to passing the contentious laws before the election.
Stuff 23 March 22.
Free Speech Under Attack was published by Tross Publishing in 2019 and can be purchased directly from the publisher. Shipping will be included in the price.
