Free Speech
One Law for All versus ‘Protected Groups’
I used to think that I lived in a country with laws that protected all citizens equally. Yesterday we published on The BFD evidence that, when it comes to discriminating against people based on their race, the law has made an exception: to allow discrimination on the basis of race
Vague Hate Speech Proposals Mean Jail for Speaking Out
Hobson’s Pledge Trust Vague hate speech proposals, released on Friday, may mean some New Zealanders could end up in jail for speaking out. The proposed changes, which include a penalty of three years in prison and a $50,000 fine for inciting hatred, were recommended by the Royal Commission
My Submission on the Proposed Hate Speech Law
Note: You can make your own submission against the Hate Speech proposals by going here and either emailing your views or filling out the online form. Public submissions close on August 6. Proposal 1: Change the language in the incitement provisions so that they protect more groups that are targeted
This Is about Controlling New Zealanders’ Lives
I want to be very clear with New Zealanders, the National Party will reverse any attempts Jacinda Ardern’s Government makes to criminalise speech beyond the threshold of ‘inciting violence,’ Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says. “This is an opportunistic grab at one of our most fundamental rights and
Compelled Speech at the Ministry of Education
[Name withheld, government worker at the Ministry of Education] I am writing to you about the issue of compelled speech in the Ministry of Education here in New Zealand. I apologise that I do not give my name. I believe that if senior staff at the Ministry of Education discovered
Win in the High Court for Our Speak up for Women Case
Jordan Williams Free Speech Union Further to my article Friday about the comprehensive win we achieved this week in the High Court, the full judgement (reasons) came through Friday night and is available to read here. Given the current cancel culture and suppression of opposing opinions, the Judge’s comments
Call the Proposed Hate Speech Law What It Is – Group Protection Law
It’s hardly surprising that Muslims see the proposed new hate speech laws as a blanket protection from future verbal abuse. The proposed law will be very useful for warding off critics of Islam as well as those who insult them because, under the proposed new hate speech law, they
No, Cancel Culture Is Not the ‘Free Market at Work’
Aaron Tao fee.org Aaron Tao is an entrepreneur and technology professional working in Austin, Texas. He holds an M.S. from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University. His other writings have been published by
If the Minister Doesn’t Know What Hate Speech Law Means, How Will Police?
David Seymour ACT Leader The Justice Minister has today shown how out of his depth he is on Newshub Nation as he was unable to provide any clarity around his proposed hate speech laws. When interpreting the law, courts often look to speeches from the Minister responsible to see what
Hate Speech Laws Will Not Make New Zealand a Safer and More Tolerant Society
Free Speech Union The Free Speech Union is reacting with concern to the Government’s plan to make speech criminal and says the proposals will go no way towards making New Zealand a safer and more tolerant society. The law would change so that a person who intentionally incites, stirs
They Did Not Come to His Rescue
Blogger Tim Wikiriwhi recently pointed out that the ACT Party and the Free Speech Union were conspicuously missing in action when New Zealand YouTuber Lee Williams fell victim to a vicious cancel culture mob. If only popular speech spoken by popular people is going to be defended then it is
Face of the Day
What nonsense. No hate speech law would have prevented the massacre in Christchurch. The only thing that could have prevented it would have been the police doing their job properly and denying him a firearms licence. Kris Faafoi’s Labour government have chosen to go after innocent law-abiding firearms
Win in the High Court for Our Speak up for Women Case
Jordan Williams Free Speech Union www.fsu.nz I have some great news — we have achieved a comprehensive victory against Palmerston North City Council who tried to de-platform the feminist group Speak Up for Women because the Council did not like their views. This afternoon, the High Court granted
How You Can Help Fight Labour’s Hate Speech Laws
David Seymour ACT Leader What Hate Speech Laws Will Mean for New Zealand The proposed hate speech laws are a win for cancel culture and will create an even more divided country. Tougher hate speech laws will take away a basic right, shut down debate, and make people afraid to
Freedom of Speech Is a Fundamental Right
The National Party believe that freedom of speech is a fundamental right, National’s Justice spokesperson Simon Bridges says. “We completely oppose the criminalising of speech except in cases of incitement to violence which is already provided for in New Zealand Law. “We are not ruling out supporting sensible changes