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Free Speech Union - Latest News [Page 3]
Institutional Neutrality Non-Negotiable For Universities: Second Reading Of Academic Freedom Bill Sparks Debate
Thursday, 16 October 2025, 12:29 pm | Free Speech Union
When universities as institutions take positions on cultural and social issues, it stifles debate. This is the antithesis of the environment universities are meant to create. More >>
Sean Plunket Canary In Coal Mine: BSA Overreach A Dangerous Step
Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 5:59 pm | Free Speech Union
The BSA has previously published material implying that freedom of expression itself can cause ‘harm’. This risks turning regulators into censors, punishing opinions rather than protecting open debate. More >>
Name Suppression Lets Alleged Vandal Of Winston Peters’ Home Dodge Accountability
Saturday, 11 October 2025, 1:21 pm | Free Speech Union
Name suppression restricts what journalists and citizens are legally allowed to say, limiting the public’s right to discuss matters of political and social importance. More >>
Vague And Broad: Bill To Restrict Protest Near Homes Risks Limiting Speech
Tuesday, 7 October 2025, 2:31 pm | Free Speech Union
Our submission’s recommendations include that key terms are narrowly defined, the Bill’s scope is limited to intentional or reckless behaviour, and ensures that non-threatening activities such as brief vigils or displays of dissent remain protected. More >>
Free Speech Union On Comments By Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Derby On Q+A
Monday, 6 October 2025, 6:54 pm | Free Speech Union
Dr Derby has clarified that she believes “freedom of expression is a fundamental human right” and “allows us the right to peacefully protest and to exchange ideas.” More >>
Media Council Ruling Risks Chilling Cold-case Reporting; FSU Backs Dissent And Urges Guidance, Not Gagging
Sunday, 5 October 2025, 9:07 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union calls on the Media Council to issue a practice note clarifying how newsrooms can responsibly report historic investigative theories so that accuracy is protected without chilling routine journalism. More >>
Prominent Irish Author Helen Joyce To Tour With Free Speech Union In November
Wednesday, 1 October 2025, 2:05 pm | Free Speech Union
Helen Joyce is known for her strong defence of free speech and her incisive and courageous work on gender identity and its implications for society. More >>
Human Rights Review Tribunal Issues Sweeping Restrictions, FSU Files To Intervene
Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 5:37 pm | Free Speech Union
Open justice is a cornerstone of democracy, and tribunals should not limit public accountability or undermine Kiwis’ confidence and participation in the justice system. More >>
University Free Speech Measures More Important Than Ever: Select Committee Backs Academic Freedom Bill
Tuesday, 23 September 2025, 11:42 am | Free Speech Union
If our universities are to advance knowledge and foster an environment of intellectual curiosity, they must stop treating disagreement as ‘harmful’, says Stephanie Martin, spokesperson for the Free Speech Union. More >>
Councilors And Ratepayers Let Down By Local Government Commission’s Draft Code Of Conduct
Sunday, 21 September 2025, 7:18 pm | Free Speech Union
he Free Speech Union calls on the Commission to withdraw or fix the draft. Kiwis deserve local government codes that protect democratic debate, not suppress it. More >>
Reform Needed: Two Individuals In Positions Of Power Shielded By Name Suppression
Thursday, 18 September 2025, 4:44 pm | Free Speech Union
Name suppression continues to limit Kiwis’ speech rights and weakens their trust in institutions and the courts, says Jillaine Heather, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. More >>
Free Speech Union Warns Suppression Fuels Speculation, Not Protection In Tom Phillips Case
Friday, 12 September 2025, 2:11 pm | Free Speech Union
“The Free Speech Union will continue to advocate for legal settings in which suppression must be the exception, not the rule: tightly scoped, temporary, and reviewed. Free speech matters because truth needs daylight. Darkness is where speculation grows.” More >>
Free Speech Union Warns Of Threats To Our Democracy If Public Service Is Not Strengthened
Friday, 5 September 2025, 7:03 am | Free Speech Union
To ensure the bill actually achieves its intended effect, though, the union argues that leaders should be held accountable for upholding the Bill of Rights Act, including free speech. More >>
Law Commission’s la Tangata recommendations pose serious risks to free speech
Thursday, 4 September 2025, 6:05 pm | Free Speech Union
While the report rightly rejects criminalising so-called misgendering or deadnaming, other recommendations risk embedding new grounds of discrimination that could make ordinary expression legally dangerous. More >>
Graham Linehan Arrested For Tweets In UK: Alarm Bells Should Ring In NZ
Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 2:00 pm | Free Speech Union
With hundreds of thousands of Kiwis behind us, the Free Speech Union defeated the proposed expansion of our ‘hate speech’ laws and last year, exposed the New Zealand Police for conducting unlawful training for their officers on how to identify ‘hate ... More >>
Thousands Agree ‘Hate Crime’ Laws Are Simply Unworkable: Law Commission Releases Consultation Submissions
Monday, 1 September 2025, 1:43 pm | Free Speech Union
‘Hate crime’ laws will criminalise thoughts, but it’s illegal actions that should be criminalised. We continue to urge the Minister of Justice to drop any consideration of these unworkable laws. More >>
Settlement Agreement Breached: New Plymouth Boys’ High School Reneges On Apology To Student It Excluded From Competition
Friday, 29 August 2025, 3:27 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union believes the school has breached the settlement agreement it entered into last week to resolve Jull’s Human Rights Commission complaint, says Jillaine Heather, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. More >>
‘Harmful’ Comments Censored By InternetNZ, Confirms Free Speech Union’s Warnings
Wednesday, 27 August 2025, 1:37 pm | Free Speech Union
“Deleting criticism doesn’t protect members from ‘harm’ – it discredits the organisation, weakens trust, and undermines the intelligence of its members. Are InternetNZ members not trusted to think for themselves? More >>
New Plymouth Boys’ High Apologises For Excluding Student From Speech Finals, FSU To Provide Training
Monday, 25 August 2025, 1:26 pm | Free Speech Union
“If democracy and tolerance are to have a future in New Zealand, they must start in our schools, where our future leaders are equipped to think independently and critically, and where they are applauded for having the courage to speak out." More >>
Should Labour Listen To Henare On The Gang Patch Ban? Free Speech Union Says Yes!
Friday, 22 August 2025, 11:37 am | Free Speech Union
“We’ve consistently opposed the gang patch ban, and we continue to stand by this stance. The ban has simply removed the ability for the public to easily identify gang members. It has done nothing to get to the root of the problem. More >>
