When we forget that offence is taken, not given, we trade our emotional autonomy for a fragile comfort – and in doing so, we risk silencing not only those we disagree with, but ultimately, ourselves.
Governments are tightening control over what citizens can say online. The worldwide slide toward punishing speech has profound consequences for open societies.
The Barry Young hearing on 11 December. If the court rules that only those with specialised expertise can have “reasonable grounds” to raise concerns, it effectively nullifies whistleblower protection for most New Zealand workers.