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Free Speech Union - Latest News [Page 1]
Free Speech Union: Robust Questions Are Vital To A Democracy, But Organisers Can Set The Rules
Friday, 11 September 2026, 2:07 pm | Free Speech Union
Mike Bennett says he was removed and later arrested after challenging an answer ACT candidate Paul Henry gave at a Dunedin Q&A on Thursday night. Henry disputes this, saying Bennett was yelling interjections and accusing him of lying. More >>
Labour Widens The Online Safety Regulator’s Mandate Before The Bill Has Even Had A First Reading
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 3:27 pm | Free Speech Union
“There are legitimate conversations to have about child safety and AI usage, yet before the Online Safety Bill has even had its first reading, Labour is proposing widening the regulator’s mandate far beyond anything to do with children.” More >>
Free Speech Union: A Regulator Has No Business Policing A Member’s Conscience
Friday, 4 September 2026, 5:06 pm | Free Speech Union
At the core of Janet's case is a question about the power of regulators in New Zealand, and whether they should be able to take away someone's livelihood by enforcing ideological content. More >>
Failed In Australia. Now National Wants A Censor To Enforce It.
Monday, 24 August 2026, 6:00 pm | Free Speech Union
Three months into Australia's ban, its own regulator found 81.5 percent of under-16s were still using an age-restricted platform, down from 85.9 percent. More >>
Open Justice Does Not Bend For Police
Monday, 24 August 2026, 5:14 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union opposes the continued name suppression of a second Auckland police officer who today pleaded guilty to possessing an objectionable publication. More >>
Courts Tell Counsel Which Pronouns To Use
Friday, 21 August 2026, 11:33 am | Free Speech Union
"People disagree about pronouns because they disagree about sex and gender," says Jillaine Heather, Executive Director of the Free Speech Union. More >>
Andrew Doyle, The Comedian Behind Titania McGrath, Tours New Zealand In September
Tuesday, 18 August 2026, 2:34 pm | Free Speech Union
Free Speech Union tour visits Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, 12 to 16 September. Tickets $10. More >>
Douglas Brown Elected To InternetNZ Board
Friday, 14 August 2026, 7:58 am | Free Speech Union
“Internet is where NZers now speak, argue, organise & do business. Who governs it & on what principles, matters. Having two people on that board who understand what is at stake for open speech is a good thing for the country,” says Jillaine ... More >>
Suppression Becomes Routine When Nobody Contests It, Says Free Speech Union
Wednesday, 12 August 2026, 4:23 pm | Free Speech Union
The case shows how crippling it can be for freedom of speech, and for the public right to know, when an unreformed law gags everyone but insiders from even knowing about a case. More >>
A Regulator With No Rulebook Has Decided What Online Speech Is Acceptable
Wednesday, 12 August 2026, 2:56 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union is asking the Minister for Media and Communications, Hon Paul Goldsmith, to legislate that the Broadcasting Act applies to radio and television only. More >>
Brian Tamaki Gun Licence Revocation Based On Undefined Thresholds
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 7:18 am | Free Speech Union
Section 24A(1)(l) of the Arms Act 1983 allows a finding that a person is not fit and proper to hold a licence if they have “shown patterns of behaviour demonstrating a tendency to exhibit, encourage, or promote violence, hatred, or extremism”. More >>
Free Speech Union Reaffirms Opposition To Harmful Digital Communications Act
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 7:38 am | Free Speech Union
The Act gives courts powers that can too easily be used to shut down lawful expression, including speech about powerful people that the public has every right to hear. The Free Speech Union has fought to reform it for years, and is not stopping. More >>
A Police Visit Is Not An Answer To Hard Questions
Friday, 31 July 2026, 11:54 am | Free Speech Union
“The damage is not to two people. It is to the next ratepayer who decides an awkward question is not worth the risk.” More >>
Will The Psychology Profession Apologise To The Māori Psychologist It Censored?
Thursday, 30 July 2026, 12:39 pm | Free Speech Union
“A Māori psychologist had her work erased by her own professional body, in the name of protecting Māori,” said Free Speech Union Executive Director Jillaine Heather. More >>
The Post Objects To Being Criticised In Public
Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 2:08 pm | Free Speech Union
"Deciding which lawful opinions are compatible with public service is a role nobody gave the press," says Stephen Franks. More >>
Political Litmus Tests Threaten Public Appointments, Warns Free Speech Union
Monday, 27 July 2026, 2:58 pm | Free Speech Union
If the standard becomes that anyone who has expressed controversial but lawful opinions is unfit for appointment, New Zealand will select public officials for their political conformity rather than their competence. More >>
Auckland Councillor: Lesbian Speaker May Not Fit Council's Rainbow Safe Space
Monday, 27 July 2026, 1:56 pm | Free Speech Union
Ani O'Brien is a gay woman. She is being treated as unfit for a council hall on the grounds that the hall is welcoming to gay people. More >>
No New Hate Crime Offences: Law Commission Backs The Case Free Speech Union Supporters Made
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 3:15 pm | Free Speech Union
The Union noted the review did not consider hate speech law, and said it would remain watchful as attention turns to the Government's response. More >>
Mayor's Threat To Community Paper An Attack On Free Speech
Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 9:20 am | Free Speech Union
The Mayor of Auckland holds the biggest platform in the city. If he disagrees with Mike Lee, he is free to argue back publicly. That is how free speech works. Instead, he chose private intimidation of a small publisher. More >>
Free Speech Union Backs ACC Doctors' Right To Speak On Patient Safety
Monday, 20 July 2026, 1:37 pm | Free Speech Union
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says ACC has so far refused to include any specific rights to speak publicly on patient safety, contrary to recommendations in ACC's own culture review. More >>
