This is edition 2025/116 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Welcome back. It's 2025 and 20 years since I started writing about politics and anything else that took my fancy. Thank to my VIP members for making this site what it is today. In July we will be having a 20th birthday celebration. Stay tuned for more announcements.
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Funding silence
Simon O'Connor
- 📚 University Talk Canceled: Invited to speak on Israel-Gaza conflict, but talk was canceled due to sensitivity.
- 🛑 Stifled Discussion: Universities are increasingly stifling discussion on complex issues, not fulfilling their core mission.
- 🔴 Core Purpose Questioned: Taxpayer-funded universities failing to meet their purpose of promoting intellectual independence and diversity of thought.
- 🏛️ Failing Critics: Universities are not serving as critics and consciences of society, becoming echo chambers of approved perspectives.
- 📜 Memories of Open Debate: Past university experience was filled with diverse ideas and passionate discussions, now lost.
- 🚫 Taboo Topics: Certain topics only allowed if they affirm a single perspective; examples include Israel-Gaza, Treaty of Waitangi, gender, abortion, euthanasia.
- 📉 Fear of Repercussions: Many staff feel they cannot speak freely due to fear of backlash, as highlighted by a University of Auckland report.
- 📢 Suppression of Debate: Controversial topics often suppressed by the radical left and progressives, rather than fostering greater discussion.
- 🏛️ Holocaust Museum Example: Would have shown an image of Yad Vashem, reinforcing the need for tough discussions in universities.
- 🔄 Government Action: Legislation moving through Parliament to protect academic freedom and freedom of expression at universities.
- 💪 Cultural Change Needed: Legislation is not enough; transformative change requires courageous academics willing to lead and speak on difficult topics.
- 🎤 Media Appearances: Engaged in media discussions, including interviews on resilience, palliative care funding, and free speech during Covid.
