This blog is justly renowned for its well-run comments section. A clear set of rules and a team of hard-nosed moderators has made our comments an uncommonly civil space in an ever-more vicious social media sphere. Which is probably just as well. If an Australian judge’s ruling is allowed
Leader of the right-wing Alternative For Sweden party Gustav Kasselstrand has been reported by the police for “hate speech”. This after he held a speech talking about deporting migrants who have committed crimes in Sweden. Although the police have not given any details as to exactly what it was in
It’s obvious to all now but the most willfully blind that there is a global assault on Christianity. On the one hand, there is a violent campaign, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, which has been described by a British government report as genocide. On the other, mostly
Okay, all you naughty Photoshoppers and Meme creators. Cease and desist forthwith! We cannot have you offending, upsetting and making fun of politicians. They are delicate wee petals that need the full protection of the law. One Florida Democrat is proving just how far government officials are willing to go
The Folau case is shaping up to be every bit as consequential as Mabo or the Scopes Monkey Trial. This has evolved into something far more consequential than a wealthy sportsman spouting off on social media. Ordinary people are drawing a line in the sand against the diktats of the
The Israel Folau saga just grows and grows. Like many of the most defining cases of modern history, what would otherwise have been a storm in a teacup – a Tennessee teacher teaching Darwin in biology, an Alabama secretary refusing to give up a seat on a bus – the Folau case
Too Right A regular column by John Black The Black Sheep Blog Rightminds In the great works of dystopic fiction, 1984, Brave New World, and Robo Cop 3: He’s Back To Lay Down The Law, the state looms large as the enemy of liberty. It is not mere coincidence
I recently reported that the appointment of Australian academic Professor Dawn Freshwater as Auckland University vice-chancellor promised to be a rare breath of fresh air for New Zealand higher education. Where other Kiwi universities, especially those headed by Aussie academics, are clamping on intellectual freedom, Professor Freshwater was at least
‘Bro-zzie’ Matthew Tukaki has slammed David Seymour for defending freedom of speech calling his views ” irrelevant”. Tukaki has an impressive Australian resume and was nominated in 2016 for Australian of the year but, as executive director of the Maori Council, he clearly still considers himself a spokesperson for Maori on
Free Speech Coalition member Dr David Cumin interviews Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist. Mr Norquist discusses the fundamental need for free speech in political movements, the difference between the United States approach to free speech and New Zealand’s approach, and the role that media plays in information
There is currently only one party in parliament fighting to defend our free speech, and that is the ACT party. If National do not stand up and back most of the ACT party’s bill, I will wash my hands of them in complete disgust. “A new member’s bill
Free Speech Coalition co-founder Jordan Williams interviews Reynold Macpherson and Dr Don Brash. Reynold Macpherson is a Rotorua mayoral candidate who was accused of hate speech for responding to councillor Tania Tapsell’s encouragement for young people to stand for council by stating “beware of the charismatic pitch of the
In 2006 satirical show The Chaser landed themselves in very hot water. Their crime? Supposedly making fun of terminally-ill children. The sketch in question depicted the “Make-A-Realistic-Wish foundation” telling sick kids they couldn’t meet Zach Efron, but they could have a stick. Champagne comedy? Hardly. Offensive? Probably. But so
