Free Speech Union's Podcast (Free Speech Union)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Free Speech Union's Podcast
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 Feb 2022 | Life Out Loud #3: Academic Freedoms and David Seymour's 'State Of The Nation' Address | 00:21:16 | |
Jonathan Ayling sits down with Free Speech Union steering group members Dr. David Cumin and Daphna Whitmore (also editor of Marxist blog Redliner) to discuss the pressing need for more Free Speech Union activism on our country's campuses. The team then chat through the Free Speech segment of ACT party leader David Seymour's recent - and very impressive - 'State Of The Nation' Address which brought up an interesting question: Why is the National Party MIA on the Free Speech issue? https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 08 Feb 2022 | The 'Safe Areas' Bill And What It Means For Protest With Kate Cormack (Voice For Life) | 00:49:50 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Ani O'Brien may be on the other side of the argument from Pro-Life campaigner Kate Cormack (President of "Voice For Life") but Free Speech and holding on to our Right to peacefully protest is where they find plenty of common ground. In this week's episode, Kate discusses the impact of the proposed 'Safe Areas' Bill (which is about to have its 2nd reading) on her group's activism, the fraught process of making submissions, and why the Pro-Life movement could be the canary in the coalmine for the suppression of more protest movements. www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 11 Feb 2022 | Life Out Loud #4: The Anti-Mandate Protest. | 00:41:54 | |
Free Speech Union spokespeople Jonathan Ayling, Ani O'Brien, and Dane Giraud examine the (at the time of this recording) ongoing anti-mandate protest or "occupation" of the lawns before Parliament. Ani did one better than any MP we have by engaging with the protesters and reports back to the team kicking off a spirited discussion on the precarious position of protest in New Zealand today. The team crams a lot of good stuff into this episode which looks at free speech as applied to the controversial anti-mandate crowd from a broad range of positions www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 15 Feb 2022 | Former National MP Matt King on the Parliament Protests. | 00:47:42 | |
Former National MP Matt King dropped into the Free Speech Union studios between visits to the Parliament Protest for a far-ranging chat with spokesperson, and friend Ani O'Brien. A staunch opponent of mandates from the very outset, King talks about the mainstream media's wilful misrepresentation of protesters, the role controversial Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard played in inflaming the protest, and why his experiences inside government left him with the impression that our democracy has never been in a more precarious state. A must-listen! www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 18 Feb 2022 | Life Out Loud #5: Mallard Vs The Media | 00:42:12 | |
Free Speech spokesperson Jonathan Ayling is joined by steering group members Ani O'Brien and Rachel Poulain to discuss our newsletter and pull apart the major stories currently keeping the team at the Free Speech Union busy. On the agenda: A big thank you to Free Speech Union supporters for your overwhelming support of our Netsafe submission, yet more Codes of Conduct concerns, a new petition seeking to remove Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard for threats made to the media, and the troubling devil-in-the-detail of the newly passed Conversion Therapy Bill www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 21 Feb 2022 | No-Free-Speech-Areas: Abortion 'Safe Zones' and Free Speech | 00:34:38 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Jonathan Ayling sits down with the ACT Party's Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden and the National Party's MP for Invercargill Penny Simmonds - both members of the Parliamentary Health Select Committee - to discuss the highly controversial 'Safe Areas' Bill. With protest rights front of mind for many Kiwis right now, the pair discuss their mutual concerns with what 'Safe Areas' could mean for protest more generally in New Zealand moving forward, Penny questions ACT's commitment to freedoms (leading to some entertaining exchanges) and Brooke makes a case as to why ACT's changes to the wording of the Bill should put minds at rest. Remember to sign our current petition mallardmustgo.nz https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 26 Feb 2022 | Devil In The Detail: Examining The Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill. | 00:27:11 | |
The Free Speech Union's Jonathan Ayling sat down with National Party Justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith, ACT part Justice spokesperson Nicole McKee, and Labour MP and Chair of the Justice Committee Ginny Anderson to discuss the now passed Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill. While Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi has given assurances the new law won't impinge on religious freedoms and free speech rights, many in the Free Speech camp remain unconvinced. So, what does the law, as passed actually say? And should Free Speech advocates - as the Minister suggests - breathe easy? https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 04 Mar 2022 | Life Out Loud #6: The Dust Settles On The Anti-Mandate Protests | 00:46:56 | |
In this week's episode of our LOL (Life Out Loud) podcast summary of the Free Speech Union newsletter, spokespeople Jonathan Ayling, Dane Giraud, and Ani O'Brien dig deep into the shocking end to the anti-mandate protests. Also, Netsafe confirms they are no friend of Free Speech, 'Plain Speech' Officers look set to make Orwell's fiction a reality, and the call for a ban on protest outside schools proves just how slippery the slope really is www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 07 Mar 2022 | Worlds Away From the Woke: Exploring The Real Martin Luther King Jr | 00:48:56 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud discusses the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr with Dr. Melissa Derby, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Waikato, Tauranga, and good friend of the Free Speech Union. Dr. Derby's admiration for the Rev. King extends back to her childhood, and in 2019, while studying in the USA, Dr. Derby was able to follow the civil rights trail, learning more about Martin Luther King Jr by visiting many landmarks of importance to his career. Though widely celebrated, King is sorely misunderstood and Dr. Derby discusses the centrality of his Christian faith, his commitment to Free Speech, and his approach to activism and his fellow man that put him in stark contrast to the 'woke' movement of today. Enjoy! www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 14 Mar 2022 | Interview with Simeon Brown | 00:44:24 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Jonathan Ayling sits down with National MP for Pakuranga Simeon Brown to discuss Simeon's voting record on a range of controversial Bills (Safe Areas Bill/ Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill). Simeon is candid about the personal cost of taking principled stands in this polarized age and the threat of political polarization more generally and Jonathan and Simeon round off by discussing whether legislation (such as what is being proposed by ACT regarding academic freedoms) may be the key to defeating today's would-be censors. www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 20 Mar 2022 | Special Report: The Kashmir Files | 00:19:42 | |
The Kashmir Files is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language drama film based on the exodus of Hindu people during the Kashmir Insurgency in 1990. It has been released in other countries with varying age restrictions. The film was awarded a rating in New Zealand and was set for release until representatives from the FIANZ (Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ) intervened claiming that negative representations of Muslims in the film could translate to real-world harm to their community. Chief Censor David Shanks is now reviewing the classification. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 21 Mar 2022 | Working With The Great Billy T James: Interview With Peter Rowley | 00:47:49 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to comic actor and writer Peter Rowley about working with a man who is still universally considered New Zealand's best comedian - the late Billy T James. Peter would often play the 'straight man' to Billy's gallery of cheeky characters but wrote much of the material with Billy too. So just how troublesome were the censors to Billy and Peter back in the early to mid-'80s? We open a window on New Zealand television history is an often moving discussion, in which Peter gives an intimate account of creating and performing the shows with Billy, and how some of their more famously un-PC jokes came together. Were they setting out to shock? The answer may surprise you! www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 29 Mar 2022 | Special Report: "Cows and Cowards" With Rachel Stewart | 00:22:09 | |
In this 'Special Report' Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore talks to previous podcast guest Rachel Stewart about cancel culture and self-censorship following her removal from a documentary on the New Zealand dairy industry over her views on a number of completely unrelated topics. Rachel is a staunch defender of free speech. She was a columnist for the Herald and in 2016 won the Canon Media Awards for Opinion Writer of the Year. In 2019 Rachel walked away from the Herald after they refused to publish a column she wrote on Massey University canceling a Canadian feminist speaker. Essentially the Herald canceled Rachel’s piece about a cancellation. Rachel has gained more experience with cancel culture since then. She has published on Substack a piece "Cows and Cowards" about being removed from the documentary. You can read it at the link below: https://rachelstewart.substack.com/p/cows-and-cowards?s=r Here’s her Substack link: https://rachelstewart.substack.com/ https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 04 Apr 2022 | Interview with Simon O'Conner | 00:39:03 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Jonathan Ayling speaks to friend of the Free Speech Union - National MP for Tamaki - Simon O'Conner. In a packed, thoughtful, and thought-provoking discussion, Simon discusses the government's mind-blowing decision to block a briefing from Police Commissioner Andrew Coster on the parliamentary protest, what is really behind the current cries of 'misinformation', whether Russian propaganda has a place in the free speech society, the bullying nature of many anti-speech activists, and what National would do to ensure free speech if they were to take the reins again after the next general election. Enjoy! www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 08 Apr 2022 | Life Out Loud #7: Two Hit-Jobs Against the Free Speech Union. | 00:35:22 | |
This week on our Life Out Loud (LOL) summary of a week in Free Speech in New Zealand (inspired by our newsletter), Free Speech Union spokespersons Jonathan Ayling and Ani O'Brien touch on two recent hit-jobs mounted against the Free Speech Union. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 14 Apr 2022 | Special Report: NZME Confirm Worst Fears About Our Media and Free Speech | 00:23:05 | |
A worrying trend of rejecting political adverts brought the attention of the Free Speech Union to the decision-making process of NZME. Having discovered that a large percentage of shareholders back this bedrock democratic principle we sought to support them at the annual AGM where free speech was made an agenda item. But the board had a strategy to get around this and in this 'Special Report' episode of the 'Free Speech Union' podcast, you will hear just how shareholders were silenced by a board that puts ideologically motivated censorship well above any concerns of shareholders. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 18 Apr 2022 | Interview with Don Franks | 00:55:52 | |
Don Franks has been involved in Left-wing activism since the 1960s (starting with his opposition to the Vietnam War) and is a published author and professional musician. He was a resident at the Jerusalem commune of James K. Baxter and was involved in union activity at a major car plant. In this episode, Don talks to Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud about the centrality of Free Speech to the union movement of yesteryear, Marx on 'Free Speech" and why speech restrictions are never called for from those on the lowest rung. Don discusses James K. Baxter as he knew him, why he thinks you should all read Jane Austen, and what makes Shakespeare the preeminent "free speech" author. Enjoy! www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 22 Apr 2022 | Special Report: AUT Cancel A Free Speech Union Meeting | 00:22:33 | |
The Free Speech Union has had a speaking event canceled by AUT. In the first public talk in what was to kick off a nationwide lecture series, Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore was to talk about (ironically) her experiences with women's rights group 'Speak Up For Women' and being canceled by a sequence of regional councils. The reason given was we weren't following proper protocol for a union on a worksite, but after our Facebook page was barraged with woke activists telling us they planned to speak to management in order to shut down the event, it is clear what's really gone on here. Coming hot on the heels of our academic survey, management at AUT have really made our case for us. Join Free Speech Union spokespeople Dane Giraud and Jonathan Ayling, along with Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore to talk through the debacle which is sure to develop into another extremely important fight for us. www.fsu.nz/ join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 02 May 2022 | What The Hell Is An Inclusion Manager Anyway?! | 00:53:04 | |
Dane Giraud and fellow Free Speech Union steering group member Ani O'Brien continue a discussion on the fallout from the cancelation of a Free Speech Union talk at AUT, focusing on the role an "Inclusion Manager' may have played in the cancelation. Common on many campuses now, these rather ironically named managers seem far more interested in excluding speakers, than welcoming a 'rainbow' of diverse opinions. Why is this so problematic? Because members of the LGBT community who don't agree with the politics of one of these managers are just as likely to be banned as anybody else. Dane and Ani discuss just how the role is impacting negatively on the LGBT community and why organizations are now practicing open discrimination due to their influence. www.fsu.nz/net https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 06 May 2022 | 'Threats to Free Speech': Lecture with Karl du Fresne and Accompanying Q & A | 01:17:17 | |
Join us for the audio version of Karl du Fresne's brilliant lecture 'Threats to Free Speech' including the full Q & A, which was held at Victoria University on Thursday 28th April https://www.fsu.nz/mallard_must_go https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 10 May 2022 | Did Free Speech Play A Role In Hitler's Rise To Power with Chris Trotter | 00:52:09 | |
Get ready for some hardcore history as Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore talks to political commentator par excellence Chris Trotter about the conditions that gave rise to Nazism. Despite Hitler taking power after being banned from public speaking - and the Nazi party itself being outlawed for two years - many today see censorship as vital in the fight against the Far-Right. But are they ignoring the social conditions of post-WW1 Germany? And are our would-be censors running the same risk by ignoring the social conditions that are leading to alienation today? Chris sets the scene simply and clearly in what a challenging and informative episode. https://www.fsu.nz/mallard_must_go https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 16 May 2022 | The Woke Misrepresentation of Māori Culture with Michelle Uriarau (Mana Wāhine Kōrero) | 00:48:39 | |
Michelle Uriarau is a founding member of Mana Wāhine Kōrero - an advocacy group of and for Māori women who took strong positions against the 'Self ID' and 'Conversion Practises Bills. One of the roadblocks to getting their message out there has been the misrepresentation of Tikanga Māori (Māori Culture) which activists have used to justify gender non-conformity - despite there being absolutely no evidence that pre-colonial Māori accepted a fluid definition of gender. Michelle talks to Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud about who is spreading these mistruths and why - the silencing of Māori women generally - and how the current government is drastically undermining the submissions process www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 24 May 2022 | Interview with Marama Fox | 01:07:16 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to former Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox about the Māori presence at the recent parliamentary protests. Marama (who would be briefly trespassed by Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard) spent a number of days on the ground and offers a detailed account of the Māori presence at the protest - who they were, why they were there - and what turned an initially positive and legitimate protest sour. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 01 Jun 2022 | Interview with Tory Whanau | 00:52:49 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks with former NZ Green Party chief of staff and Wellington Mayoral candidate in 2022 Tory Whanau. Tory discusses her fascinating (and enviable!) journey that led her to a dream job in communications and eventually to the role of chief of staff with the Green Party. Tory offers insight into how the Greens and wider contemporary Left view hate speech laws and discusses her own desire for education over heavy-handed restrictions. Tory also fronts on the important public spaces issue - the issue that has kept the Free Speech Union most busy since our inception - and we are given a sense of what to expect in this space should Tory become mayor in October. You may be pleasantly surprised! www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 06 Jun 2022 | Interview with Nina Power | 00:35:10 | |
In this week's episode of the podcast Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore speaks to Nina Power - an English social critic, philosopher, and author of the new book “What Do Men Want”. Nina was previously a senior lecturer in Philosophy at Roehampton University in Britain. She writes for Telegraph, Art Review, and The Spectator and is now editing a new publication Compact Magazine. Nina talks about her new book, the importance of solidarity between the sexes, and why it is sparking controversy even in New Zealand (a recent review of it in The Listener led to a woke Twitter meltdown). She also recounts her experience of being canceled in New Zealand in 2020, after writing an essay to accompany a completely benign art exhibition of flags on postcards. Other topics covered are some of the grey areas around free speech i.e. Should flag burning/desecration be covered? Should porn be protected? A thoughtful discussion with a fantastic critical mind. Enjoy! www.fsu.nz/join Twitter @Nina_Compact Compact Magazine http://compactmag.com https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 13 Jun 2022 | Special Report: ACT MP Dr. James McDowall on the voting down of the Education Amendment Bill | 00:29:39 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Jonathan Ayling speaks to ACT MP Dr. James McDowall about the voting down - at first reading - of his "Education (Freedom of Expression) Amendment Bill". The Bill was designed to ensure there were consequences for universities that actively inhibited free of expression without legitimate cause. But the government didn't even want to debate the issue. What does the failure of the Bill to pass even a first reading say about how the government and their coalition partner view New Zealander's speech rights? A lot. And none of it is good! Dr. McDowall talks us through the revealing speeches given by Labour and Green supporters in opposition to his Bill and what the next steps to protect free speech on our campuses may be. fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 21 Jun 2022 | Bethlehem College's Free Speech: Why The Free Speech Union Is Standing Up | 00:59:48 | |
Join us for the audio-only version of our fantastic live discussion (recorded on Facebook 21st June) with Free Speech Union Council members Dr. David Cumin, Dr. Melissa Derby, and Ani O'Brien to unpack the concerns related to the recent uproar over Bethlehem College asking parents to acknowledge (but not necessarily agree with) the school's position of marriage being between a man and a woman. We discuss why the Free Speech Union getting involved is so important, the increasing demand for orthodoxy by the illiberal Left, and what practical paths we can take to defend religious speech and counter polarisation. Don't forget to sign our letter https://www.fsu.nz/public_letter_on_bethlehem_college https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 26 Jun 2022 | Interview with Lifetime Black Power Member Denis O'Reilly: Why Censoring Gangs Doesn't Work | 00:50:28 | |
On this week's episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, spokesperson Dane Giraud has a long-form discussion with social activist and lifetime 'Black Power' member Denis O'Reilly. Denis talks us through what led him to join the 'Black Power' and who the majority of members were in those early years. Denis discusses Prime Minister Rob Muldoon and why Muldoon's controversial coziness with gangs was a winner for society. And Dane and Denis explore the National Party's proposed policy to ban insignia and why this already-tried policy has no chance of dealing with any 'gang problem'. A chocka interview full of history and plenty to think about. Enjoy! https://www.fsu.nz/public_letter_on_bethlehem_college https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 04 Jul 2022 | Interview with Dr. Bryce Edwards | 00:48:07 | |
Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore speaks with Dr. Bryce Edwards about the causes and manifestations of contemporary political polarisation. Edwards, a well-known political scientist, lecturer in Politics at Victoria University, and long-time supporter of free speech, copped a lot of flak for his coverage of the parliamentary protests which highlighted the depth of division today. How did we get to this place? And what will bring us out of it? www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 11 Jul 2022 | Interview with Bob McCoskrie | 00:29:04 | |
Family First chief executive Bob McCoskrie sits down with the Free Speech Union's Jonathan Ayling to discuss the recent Supreme Court decision that saw his organisation lose their charity title. Bob and Jonathan dissect and challenge many aspects of the ruling, such as the assertion made by the Supreme Court that Family First's purpose "crossed the line between education and advocacy" and ask why groups such as Greenpeace haven't been subject to the same treatment. Finally Bob discusses the impact of the Supreme Court decision on the Free Speech of religious and indeed all New Zealanders and whether there is any weight to a claim that this whole exercise has been about the state silencing those with more traditionalist values www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 14 Jul 2022 | Interview with Orphee Mikalad | 00:48:27 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud sat with Palmerston North City Councilor Orphee Mikalad to discuss the importance of free speech and alternatives to hate speech. Orphee details his family's fleeing civil war in the Congo and what it was like to campaign for a seat on the council as an African refugee. Orphee discusses the racism he has encountered, why education and engagement are a far better solution than state censorship, the benefit of grassroots rather than top-down anti-racism campaigns, and Dane and Orphee discuss some of the unexpected reactions they have had to bigotry www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 25 Jul 2022 | The Free Speech Union's Annual Review: With Simon O'Connor, Hanne Janes and Matt McCarten | 00:58:14 | |
Did you receive our annual review? It's been an epic 12 months for the Free Speech Union! Join Jonathan Ayling - who sat down with supporters National MP Simon O'Connor, Unionist Matt McCartern, and Barrister Hanne Janes - to recap our year, discuss the ongoing fight for free speech, and why you - and good 'ole people-power - MADE OUR YEAR and remain the most vital element in the preservation of this crucial freedom www.fsu.net/join You can check out the annual review here: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/.../FSU_AnnualReport-2... https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 01 Aug 2022 | Interview with Grant Guilford | 00:47:21 | |
In this episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling sits down with Grant Guilford former Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 08 Aug 2022 | Interview with Prof. Kit Fine | 00:33:00 | |
The saga of the Listener 7 academics and their questioning about mātauranga Māori in science continues. In this episode, Free Speech Union Cheif Executive Jonathan Ayling sits down with distinguished Professor Kit Fine, a British philosopher from New York University, who complained to the Royal Society regarding their conduct during the investigation of Professors Robert Nola and Gareth Cooper and called for an investigation of the society itself. Unsurprisingly, the Royal Society was uninterested in examining itself. But Fine still believes that the Royal Society must answer for its bullying, or academics won't feel free to speak on important questions. Jonathan and Prof Fine unpack how institutions like the Royal Society are undermining free speech, and the long-term impacts this is bound to have on academia. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 15 Aug 2022 | Interview with Suzanne Levy: The Closing of the Tavistock Clinic | 00:47:58 | |
Censorship often ends up harming those it seeks to protect. This is sadly becoming a near unchallengeable fact when regarding gender treatment, where a contempt for any criticism or position outside of the sanctioned view has resulted in patient harm and the subsequent closure of a high-profile clinic, along with many European countries reversing their policies in this space. In a thought-provoking episode, Free Speech Union spokesman Dane Giraud speaks to Suzanne Levy, one of Speak Up For Women's new spokeswomen, about her organization's fresh focus post the passing of the Birth, Deaths, and Marriages Bill. Dane and Suzanne also discuss how health systems were compromised through censorship, the current correction taking place, and why we in New Zealand are likely to lag behind. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 19 Aug 2022 | Responsible Politics and Free speech: Free Speech Union Event at Otago University (Recorded 17/08/22) | 01:38:36 | |
Join us for a recording of the Wednesday 17 August Otago University panel discussion chaired by Peter Williams on how to maintain responsible politics through free speech ft. local list MP Michael Woodhouse, ACT MP Dr. James McDowall, and local Councillor Lee Vandervis www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 22 Aug 2022 | Interview with Tim Wilson: No Womb, No View | 00:48:59 | |
Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore speaks with award-winning journalist and current Executive Director of the Maxim Institute Tim Wilson on a recent think-piece Tim wrote on abortion and the seeming prohibition against men expressing views on the topic. Join us for thoughtful exploration as to whether identity should ever preclude a person from contributing to a topic - a position many in society do appear to subscribe to today www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 29 Aug 2022 | Interview with Dane Giraud: Fire, Fury and Funding | 00:43:29 | |
In this week's episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Ani O'Brien interviews our very own Dane Giraud - a screenwriter and experienced documentary maker - on the NZ On Air funding process that produced the recent controversial documentary on the parliamentary protests made by Stuff Circuit -"Fire And Fury". Is the NZ On Air public journalism fund compromising our media? Or is the simple truth that the wider public is in the dark on how the funding process works in New Zealand? Dane thinks the latter and makes his case as well as offering his own solution to any perceived political bias in our media. www.fsu.net/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 08 Sep 2022 | A Free Speech Focus on Local Body Elections With Tory Whanau, James Gough and Dr. Ate Moala | 01:00:44 | |
What does a major Mayoral candidate think of codes of conduct? Is there wide support within councils for limiting who can speak in public venues? Where do councilors draw the line between speech they consider free and beyond the pale? And is their input even warranted? On this week's roundtable discussion between a collection of incredibly diverse candidates - Wellington Mayor candidate and Green supporter Tory Whanau, 4x term councilor of Christchurch's Fendalton ward James Gough and Dr. Ate Moala, a candidate standing for Paekawakawa/Southern General Ward - answer these questions and discuss free speech more generally in an at times combative but richly informative episode. Enjoy www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 12 Sep 2022 | Interview with Kobad Ghandy: Free Speech in Modi's India | 00:53:26 | |
Welcome to the first of a short series on speech rights in different countries. This week's podcast looks at free speech and civil rights in India, the world’s most populous democracy. In July the Man Booker Prize-winning novelist Arundhati Roy wrote that India’s flawed fragile democracy is a "criminal, Hindu-fascist enterprise that has imprisoned many of her friends" after they spoke up for the oppressed. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 19 Sep 2022 | British Film Censorship vs the Video Nasties with David Gregory | 00:45:15 | |
In this week's podcast episode Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to David Gregory, co-owner of Severin Films, an American film production and distribution company known for restoring and releasing cult films on DVD and Blu-ray. A Brit by birth David deep dives into the history of the Video Nasties (the explosion of low-budget horror or exploitation films at the birth of the home-video era) and the censorship regime in the UK that was set up to counter them. This office was incredibly oppressive compared to their Western counterparts including our own which lifted a ban on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 1984 whereas the UK only made the film permissible in 1998! This office even sent a distributor to prison for screening an edit 17 seconds longer than the approved cut. David schools Dane on the fascinating history of British censorship, their use of highly questionable research, the clear classist attitude that underlined the office, and how - rather than stopping people from seeing these films - this censorship led to a huge underground network of film markets and conventions. David also talks about his rewarding work today through Severin Films tracking down lost footage from films that have suffered the censor's blade. An episode chock-full of fascinating history is an unmissable addition to the Free Speech Union podcast. Enjoy! https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 28 Sep 2022 | Interview with Auckland Mayoral Candidate Craig Lord | 00:29:58 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Ani O'Brien reads Auckland Mayoral Candidate Craig Lord the council's rap sheet and asks what he would do differently should he win the coveted top job www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 03 Oct 2022 | Student Takeover: University Students Discuss Free Speech | 00:47:03 | |
In something of a ‘student takeover’ of the Free Speech Union Podcast, university students Adam, Tommy, and Robbie talk about free speech from the student perspective. Tomas shares his experience of the recent Free Speech Union event at Otago University and the discussion gets philosophical as the three discuss the seemingly partisan nature of the modern free speech context, alongside why it is so important for the students and activists of today, and why it may be that the importance of free speech is not quite as recognised among the modern left as it once was. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 10 Oct 2022 | Interview with Mark White of U.S. based Left-wing Free Speech advocacy group Plebity | 00:33:31 | |
Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore talks with Mark White from the US Left-wing free speech organisation Plebity (https://www.plebity.org/). Mark and Daphna discuss how the Left of the past was at the forefront of defending free speech, why that is no longer the case and why the Left shouldn't bet their money on tech billionaires like Elon Musk to be their free speech savior. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 17 Oct 2022 | Life Out Loud #8: Low Voter Turnouts and Weapons Of War | 00:38:04 | |
Jonathan Ayling, Ani O'Brien, and Dane Giraud are our first panel in the reboot of our LOL (Life Out Loud) podcast series. The team pull-apart local body elections and ask whether a low voter turnout can be put down to the multiple campaigns seeking to limit acceptable debate - we get a preview of the upcoming Free Speech Union AGM featuring Danish free speech superstar Jacob MChangama (which includes a special announcement) - and finally the Prime Ministers controversial "weapons of war" speech delivered at the UN - what it means, and why we should all be very afraid fsu.net/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 22 Oct 2022 | Life Out Loud #9: The Young Greens Attempt to End All Debate | 00:50:40 | |
In today's episode of our LOL series, Free Speech Union spokespeople Dane Giraud and Dr. David Cumin discuss the Young Greens of UoA (University Of Auckland) decision to boycott the "Baby Back Benches" debate until a set of specific demands are met. Dane and David pull apart the 7 demands that - while reading like self-parody - cloak a sinister attitude towards both freedom of expression and the very minority groups the Greens claim that their demands protect. fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 30 Oct 2022 | Special Report: Free Speech Union ready for round two of Government’s proposed hate speech laws: | 00:42:14 | |
Following the shock announcement this morning (Sunday 30th) by Justice Minister Kiri Allen that hate speech laws are back and may be in place before next year's election, Jonathan Ayling sits down with Free Speech Union Council members Dr. Roderick Mulgan and Ani O’Brien, along with ACT Party Leader David Seymour to unpack what this means for the fight for free speech. Given the negative reaction to the proposals last year, what makes Minister Allan think Kiwis will accept them this time around? Will the short window provided ahead of next year's election be used to ram the laws through without proper scrutiny? And why does National leader Christopher Luxon want nothing to do with this topic? These are some of the questions addressed as the Free Speech Union gears up to oppose this legislation. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 14 Nov 2022 | Interview with Daniel Ben-Ami | 00:45:13 | |
Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore talks with Daniel Ben-Ami, an author, and journalist based in London. His website "The Radicalism of Fools" https://www.radicalismoffools.com/ aims to develop a better understanding of anti-Semitism and its root causes. Daniel talks about different forms of anti-Semitism from the right and the left. He explains why definitions of anti-Semitism should not be imposed through initiatives like the IHRA definition of antisemitism and why censorship is not an answer to the anti-Israel BDS boycott movement. This fascinating discussion covers much more including whether deplatforming Nazis works and how censorship risks letting bad ideas go unchallenged fsu.nz/ join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 19 Nov 2022 | Special Announcement: Hate Speech laws dropped | 00:37:45 | |
In an unexpected (but welcomed!) development, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan announced this morning that proposed hate speech laws will be all but dropped. Gone is the threat of 3-year prison terms. In fact, the sole change will be the addition of religious beliefs under a new amendment to the Human Rights Act. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 21 Nov 2022 | Interview with Forough Amin: The Iran Protests and the battle for Women's Rights | 00:38:23 | |
Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore speaks with Dr. Forough Amin about what’s happening in Iran after two months of growing protests across the country. Forough is a women's rights activist and the founder of the Iranian Women in NZ Charitable Trust. Forough discusses the dire state of civil rights in Iran, the rigid power of the regime, the important role women and youth are playing in the protests, and reveals the origin of the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom". https://www.facebook.com/IWIN.Charity/ https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 28 Nov 2022 | Why the Working Class Rejected Hate Speech Laws | 00:31:23 | |
Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore and council member Dane Giraud discuss the Curia poll featured in a Herald recent piece from Left-wing commentator Bryce Edwards that found lower-socio-economic communities stood against the government's Hate Speech laws. Why is this? Weren't such laws supposedly sought by vulnerable, multicultural communities? Dane and Daphna (both South Aucklanders) discuss the myriad reasons why the working class has always rejected state censorship, and the team recaps their thoughts on the recent Free Speech Union AGM. The link to Bryce's piece is below... https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 01 Dec 2022 | Forbidden Conversations? Free Speech and the New Zealand Media with Janet Wilson and Yvonne van Dongen | 00:42:38 | |
Free Speech Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling sat down with respected journalists Janet Wilson and Yvonne van Dongen to discuss the health of the New Zealand media in regard to fostering free and open debate. Are we seeing a new bias? Is ideology polluting journalism and undermining public trust? What role or responsibility does a journalist have in combatting mis or disinformation? And are the majority of contemporary journalists even trying to speak to the masses, or is their audience themselves (their own class)? A fascinating, bold, and revealing discussion on free speech and the press in New Zealand from two of our most experienced journalists. Enjoy! fsu.net/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 06 Dec 2022 | The Return of Blasphemy Laws with Dr. Michael Johnson and Marcus Roberts | 00:43:39 | |
The Free Speech Union celebrated a victory with Justice Minister Kiri Allen announcing the government would be dropping proposed hate speech laws. But the single inclusion of religion means we still have a fight on our hands. Could it really soon become harder to criticise religion? In a thoughtful and far-ranging discussion, Dr. Michael Johnson (NZ Initiative) and Marcus Roberts (Maxim Institute) wrestle with this possibility along with examining the concept of "settled science" and whether the horrors of totalitarianism becoming a distant memory is behind a new generation taking their freedoms for granted. fsu.net/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 12 Dec 2022 | The Spirit of the Law: How to create a culture of Free Speech (Recorded Live at the Free Speech Union 2022 AGM) | 00:55:43 | |
The Free Speech Union's Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling sat down with Paul Goldsmith MP, National's Justice Spokesperson, Prof. Paul Moon, a prominent historian from AUT, Dr. Michael Johnson from the New Zealand Initiative, and Prof. Ananish Chaudhuri, an economist from Auckland University at the recent Free Speech Union AGM to discuss the importance of fostering a culture of free speech. The panel started by noting the differences in the relatively strong legal defense to free speech which Kiwis still enjoy, which is at odds with the current recession of free speech culturally. Enjoy! fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 29 Dec 2022 | 2022 in Review | 01:04:33 | |
Tune in for this special end-of-year discussion with guests Karl du Fresne, Prof Natasha Hamilton-Hart, and Alex Penk for a 'stock take' of the work the Free Speech Union has done in 2022. Will our guests give us a pass mark? Enjoy! fsu.nz https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 16 Jan 2023 | International Free Speech Union meeting: A Common Cause. | 00:59:24 | |
We kick off the year with a very special episode: New Zealand Free Speech Union Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling in discussion with his UK and South African counterparts Toby Young and Sara Gon respectively. This inaugural meeting offers a chance to reflect on the global fight for free speech and to learn about the unique cultural challenges each union faces in 2023 and beyond. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 21 Jan 2023 | Special Report: Did online abuse force the Prime Minister to resign? | 00:31:35 | |
In today's special episode, Free Speech Union board members Dane Giraud and Ani O'Brien discuss the emerging narrative that now-former Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern resigned due to online abuse. Were the levels of abuse she faced unprecedented and have they been contributive to increased polarisation? Or is this a cynical attempt to limit criticism through censorship? fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 30 Jan 2023 | Protest and the Limits of Free Speech with Simeon Brown and James Cockle | 00:38:12 | |
Climate change dominates tense debate around the world. Some aren't satisfied with just words however and are taking dramatic protest actions like blocking motorways and gluing their hands to roads to demand the attention they believe this crisis demands. In this podcast, Jonathan Ayling sits with Simeon Brown MP to discuss his proposed Bill to increase the penalty for those who protest by disrupting key infrastructure. He is also joined by climate change activist James Cockle - himself no stranger to controversial protest - to discuss the limits of free speech, and whether disruption is a winning strategy to persuade kiwis to consume less. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 06 Feb 2023 | Interview with Ashley Church: Competing Faiths - The Woke Vs The Traditional Christian Worldview | 01:09:38 | |
Free Speech Union council member Dane Giraud speaks with Ashley Church - a prominent media commentator on politics and property - about the religious impulse driving the "woke doctrine" and the challenges it poses for traditional text-based Christians like Ashley. The boys also touch on the pros and cons of progressive congregations in a wide-ranging discussion on today's competing belief systems fsu.nz https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 13 Feb 2023 | Interview with Mike Grimshaw: Free Speech Vs the "Gated Community" | 01:00:48 | |
In a fascinating discussion that covers an amazing amount of ground, Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to Sociologist Mike Grimshaw of the University of Canterbury. Mike discusses the open society that relies on free speech to function versus the retreat into identity groups censorship encourages. The boys talk through tagging and street art as a means of expression for the underclass and why council-sponsored art may be a calculated way to silence these voices. And Mike unpacks the concept of the radical loser - the disenchanted male who is likely to view censorship as a provocation to action. This is surely a packed episode with a banquet hall brimming with food for thought. Enjoy. And don't forget that the Free Speech Union's debut film "Last Words" is about to go on a nationwide cinema tour. Have you got your ticket yet? If not book today! Thursday 16th February (PREMIERE):, 7 pm at The Penthouse Cinema, Wellington Saturday 18th February: 2 pm at Lumiere Cinema, Riccarton, Christchurch Saturday 18th February: 6 pm at the Regent Cinema, Ashburton Sunday 19th February: 1 pm at Movie Max Cinema, Timaru Sunday 19th February: 6 pm at Rialto Cinema, Dunedin https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 20 Feb 2023 | Interview with James Kierstead: The Roald Dahl Re-Edits and Dignity in Debate | 00:45:28 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to James Kierstead, a Senior Lecturer in Classics at Victoria University of Wellington and Research Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative. James (who should be no stranger to Free Speech Union supporters) gives his summary of the failed hate speech laws before the boys discuss the need for generosity towards your ideological opponents, the woke re-editing of Roald Dahl's books, and the general issue with translations and tampering with texts. Another great conversation with a top mind. Enjoy! https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 01 Mar 2023 | Interview with Josephine Varghese | 00:57:33 | |
Josephine Varghese is a political analyst and researcher with the Democracy Project at Victoria University of Wellington. In today's episode, Josephine and Free Speech Union council member Dane Giraud discuss Left-wing perspectives on free speech, whether a Leftist should view free speech as a central right, and anti-colonisation thought both as expressed in the controversial poem by Tuisata Avia along with a Left-wing critique. A great in-depth discussion on classic Left-wing thought and where it is often at odds with many of those calling themselves Left today https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/last-words-screening-tour-1718439 https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 06 Mar 2023 | Defending the Free Speech Rights of Drag Queen Story Time & Tusiata Avia | 00:44:11 | |
Free Speech Union council members Ani O'Brien and Dane Giraud discuss the union's defending of Drag Queen story time along with Tusiata Avia's controversial poem. Enjoy! https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/131393894/the-free-speech-door-swings-both-ways https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 16 Mar 2023 | Interview with Corina Shields | 00:57:36 | |
Free Speech Union council member Dane Giraud speaks to Corina Shields (@AuntyHeihei on Twitter), a wahine Maori who took her opinions and concerns with government policy to TikTok after being denied the ear of MPs. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 30 Mar 2023 | Was Albert Park a turning point in the Free Speech battle? | 00:43:00 | |
Gender-critical speaker Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull's 'Let Woman Speak' tour of New Zealand ended before it began: due to violence. A feral mob assaulted her and women were viciously assaulted including a 72-year-old woman who was left with a fractured skull. This followed failed attempts by fringe LGBTQI+ voices to deny KJK entry to New Zealand. Will Albert Park be the new normal? Free Speech Union spokespersons Dane Giraud and Ani O'Brien discuss the day (Ani was present) and its potential ramifications https://www.fsu.nz/public_letter_to_police_minister https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 10 Jun 2019 | Episode 1: Rachel Poulain interviews Ani O'Brien (Speak Up for Women) | 00:43:10 | |
Free Speech Coalition Spokesperson Rachel Poulain interviews Ani O'Brien of the Speak Up 4 Women campaign about the problems she has encounters with the anti-free speech movement while promoting women's rights. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 10 Jun 2019 | Episode 2: Jordan Williams interviews Reynold Macpherson & Don Brash | 00:16:25 | |
Free Speech Coalition co-founder Jordan Williams interviews Reynold Macpherson and Dr Don Brash. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 10 Jun 2019 | Episode 3: Dr David Cumin interviews Grover Norquist | 00:19:09 | |
Free Speech Coalition member Dr David Cumin interviews Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 10 Apr 2023 | Interview with Samantha Blanchard director of Silenced | 00:53:11 | |
Free Speech Union council member Dane Giraud speaks with journalist and now filmmaker Samantha Blanchard about her new documentary "Silenced" which was released online over Easter weekend. "Silenced" looks at censorship during the pandemic and features the story of Peter Williams who walked away from a job at Magic Talk after being given directives not to challenge the government narrative. A thought-provoking and challenging film Samantha discusses the making of the documentary and shares her experiences working as a journalist along with why the media are failing to earn the trust of the public today. https://www.silenced.co.nz/ https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 19 Apr 2023 | Should The Public Square ever be 'Cool and Rational'? with Dr David Cumin and A/Prof Mike Grimshaw | 00:51:58 | |
"For me this is the recognition of the linking of free speech with the right for civil disobedience because the public square is never cool and rational and only ‘discursive’ – except when constrained and imposed to be so by the privileging and power of ‘the rational’." https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 08 May 2023 | What Would Nadine Do? A debrief on the Nadine Strossen tour and 'The Disinformation Project' report. | 00:40:46 | |
Join Free Speech Union Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling, FSU council member Stephen Franks and Left-wing commentator Josie Pagani and Connor Molloy for a debrief on former ACLU president Nadine Strossen's recent tour of Aotearoa. The team discuss some of the high-profile members Strossen attended, why rationalism wins the argument, and what lessons we should take from her into our ongoing free speech battles. It's then a gearshift to discuss the disturbing 'Disinformation Project' report released in the wake of the Posie Parker visit in which the shadowy group warns of an imminent genocide against the trans community... with zero evidence? What is the best strategy for tackling such bad-faith actors? All this and more in another fascinating podcast episode. Enjoy! fsu.nz https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 15 May 2023 | Interview with Prof. Grant Schofield: Academic freedom and the need for courage | 00:43:48 | |
Free Speech Union Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling sat down with Prof. Grant Schofield who recently authored a 'A falling out of love letter to the university'- which reflects on his over 30 years in academia. Prof. Schofield questions whether the contemporary New Zealand university can any longer claim to be the 'conscious and critic of society' and in an in-depth discussion, comments on the health of free speech within our universities, the problem of self-censorship (especially among young academics), whether withholding funds to anti-free speech universities would work, and how a refusal to debate important issues affects society. This episode is a good warm-up for the release of the Free Speech Union's 2023 academic survey next week so get swatting! https://profgrant.com/2023/04/24/a-falling-out-of-love-letter-to-the-university-we-need-to-talk/ https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 23 May 2023 | Interview with Jonathan Ayling and Paul Brennan on Reality Check Radio | 00:33:20 | |
Jonatha sits does with Paul Brennan on Reality Check Radio to discuss the FSU announcement that we are supporting a tender-bid for a DPMC contract to research disinformation. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 31 May 2023 | Worrying Trends: Academic Freedom in New Zealand with Prof. Elizabeth Rata and Dr. David Bromell | 00:39:58 | |
With the Free Speech Unions Academic Survey for 2023 now released and raising concerns Jonathan Ayling sat down with Prof Elizabeth Rata (a co-author of the "Listener 7" letter) and Dr. David Bromell (formerly of Canterbury University) to discuss the state of academic freedom in today's New Zealand. The trio explores the increasingly doctrinaire approach turning up in fields where truth has traditionally never been considered settled, and why this intellectual inflexibility seems to be ramping up post covid with many Universities currently in financial straits. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 02 Jun 2023 | Universities in trouble- why the academic freedom results matter | 00:46:12 | |
Academic freedom and free speech can appear to be nebulous subjects at times, which wonky intellectuals pontificate on. Yet the real world implications for a university that fails to preserve academic freedom are far-reaching. In this episode, Jonathan Ayling sits down with Dr. James Kierstead and Dr. Michael Johnston to discuss the opposition we’ve faced to our academic freedom research, why certain arguments have been made, and what this tells us about the debate for free thought and belief in general. Let’s just say, the stakes are fairly high for all of us. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 20 Jun 2019 | Episode 4: Rachel Poulain interviews David Seymour | 00:33:02 | |
Free Speech Coalition Spokesperson Rachel Poulain interviews ACT Party's leader and MP representative to Epsom David Seymour. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 26 Jun 2023 | The fear of tyrants: why free speech is for the marginalised, oppressed and poor | 00:36:15 | |
"Most important thinking I've written", this is how Prof. Grimes describes his recent research on who benefits from free speech. Spoiler alert- it's not who you might think. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 10 Jul 2023 | Free speech developments at University of Auckland | 00:42:09 | |
Free speech across our universities is under fire- but many academics are also working to address this. After 3 years, a working group established at the University of Auckland to consider how to preserve academic freedom and free speech has reported back, making a bold stand in a hostile environment. Free Speech Union member and UoA Professor, Kendall Clements, sits down with Jonathan to give an insider's view to why free speech is under fire, and what needs to be done about it. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 28 Aug 2023 | "A Liberal Democracy Operates Because Voices Are Heard!" Sir Peter Gluckman on Social Cohesion and Free Speech | 00:39:33 | |
Speaking to the recently published Addressing the Challenges to Social Cohesion, Sir Peter Gluckman (former Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and Director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures) sits down with Jonathan Ayling to discuss what's happening to fraying public discourse, and what we can do to address it. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 07 Sep 2023 | River of Freedom: a documentary epic on the need for open debate | 00:37:51 | |
More than any other one thing, COVID-19 has defined our past 3 years. But are we starting to thinking about it, or talk about it in fresh ways? https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 22 Sep 2023 | Keyboard warriors clash: opponents meet to test free speech | 01:11:34 | |
Paul Thistoll is a dedicated trans-rights activist and outspoken opponent of the Free Speech Union. But he was willing to sit down with Jonathan Ayling, the Chief Executive of the Union, to discuss hate speech, trans-rights, preferred pronouns, professional deregistration, and more. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 11 Jul 2019 | Episode 5: Patrick Corish interviews Simon O'Connor and Stephen Franks | 00:49:53 | |
Patrick sits down with National MP for Tamaki Simon O'Connor and constitutional lawyer Stephen Franks to discuss hate speech laws, and the potential philosophical changes within New Zealand's culture throughout the years that may have lead to these calls for censorship. Patrick asks Simon about National's position an ACT's Freedom to Speak Bill and National's position on the UN Migrant Compact. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 15 Jul 2019 | Episode 6: Jordan Williams interviews Reynold Macpherson and Stephen Franks | 00:14:48 | |
Free Speech Coalition co-founder Jordan Williams sits down with Dr Reynold Macpherson and Stephen Franks to discuss Dr Macpherson's complaint to the police about a Facebook page that parodies him and his mayoral run for the Rotorua District Council. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 07 Dec 2023 | ‘From the River to the Sea': Censorship, free speech, and the Israel-Gaza conflict. | 01:13:30 | |
Hear from Josie Pagani, Paul Moon, Marcus Roberts, and Jonathan Ayling on a panel discussion and Q+A on speech rights and the ability to pursue tolerant debate on conflict in the Middle East. This discussion is about our ability to deal with complex and competing ideas, not the substance of the conflict itself. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 23 Jul 2019 | Episode 7: Patrick Corish interviews Garrick Tremain | 00:30:10 | |
Patrick of the Free Speech Coalition speaks with well known New Zealand political cartoonist and painter, Garrick Tremain. Garrick has had over thirty years of experience as a political cartoonist and he shares his insight not only on the nature of the role, but the importance of allowing satire to be published. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 31 Jul 2019 | Episode 8: Patrick Corish interviews Ali Gammeter and Gabriel Tagi | 00:40:01 | |
Patrick Corish interviews Ali Gammeter and Gabriel Tagi, the two Youth Parliament speakers that wrote their speeches on the importance of freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas. Patrick, Ali and Gabriel discuss the speeches, the inspiration for their speeches and their personal views on the current politically correct culture. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 29 Apr 2024 | Canceling the FSU from university; and other childish antics | 00:41:11 | |
As a result of lobbying and threats of protest and boycott, Victoria University has postponed the panel discussion that was set to be hosted on 29 April. Jonathan Ayling and Dr. Michael Johnson, from the New Zealand Initiative, were two of the panellists in this discussion; it seems that their presence was the reason for the delay. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 10 May 2024 | Another victory for free speech: DIA abandons proposals for online censorship | 00:33:04 | |
Former Judge Dr. David Harvey and Netsafe CEO Brent Carey discuss the DIA's abandoned proposal for online censorship. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 22 May 2024 | "The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything" with Prof Eric Heinze | 00:52:50 | |
Eric Heinze is a Professor of Law and Humanities at the School of Law Queen Mary, University of London. He is also the author of “The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything”. Eric joins Jonathan Ayling for a discussion on free speech, academic freedom and democracy. You can purchase Eric’s book here https://www.amazon.com/dp/0262547244/ For more info on FSU NZ head to www.fsu.nz https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 29 May 2024 | "Why Free Speech is the Only Safe Space for Minorities" with Jonathan Rauch | 00:45:31 | |
Listen to Jonathan Rauch’s talk, “Why Free Speech is the Only Safe Space for Minorities,” which he delivered to our audience in Christchurch. It is a powerful talk about the dire need for free speech in the fight for equality. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 05 Jul 2024 | "If not journalists then who?" with Dr Gavin Ellis | 00:58:17 | |
Join Jonathan Ayling as he welcomes Dr. Gavin Ellis, a media consultant, researcher, and former editor-in-chief of the New Zealand Herald. With a PhD in Political Studies and a rich background in journalism and communications, Dr. Ellis offers insights into the current media landscape in New Zealand and shares his hopes for its future growth, change, and improvement. For more information about Dr Ellis For more information about the Free Speech Union https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 12 Jul 2024 | Nick & Nathan on Schools & Regulatory bodies | 00:47:49 | |
Nathan Seiuli (Events & Outreach Manager) & Nick Hanne (Education Partnerships Manager) talk about free speech in schools, the FSU’s “Speak Up” schools program, and how the current free speech climate is affecting teachers. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 18 Jul 2024 | Unmasking Unteaching: A Conversation with Dr. Paul Crowhurst | 00:44:34 | |
Join Nick Hanne (Education Partnerships Manager) as he sits down with Dr. Paul Crowhurst to talk about tertiary education, white fragility, and the concept of unteaching racism. Dr. Crowhurst unpacks his experiences as a teacher, principal, and lecturer, and discusses the series of events leading to his encounter with cancel culture. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 25 Jul 2024 | The historical and philosophical underpinnings of free speech with Prof Michael Grimshaw | 00:55:59 | |
Join us for a thought-provoking episode of the Free Speech Union Podcast. Hosted by Jonathan (FSU NZ CEO), this episode features a deep dive into the essence of free speech, democracy, and societal values with Professor Mike Grimshaw from the University of Canterbury. Explore the historical and philosophical underpinnings of free speech, the challenges posed by modern societal shifts, and the crucial role of civil liberties. Whether you're a seasoned thinker or new to these concepts, this engaging discussion promises to offer new perspectives on free speech and its importance in contemporary society. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 02 Aug 2024 | Free Speech Under Fire: Challenging institutional Censorship and public service Activism in New Zealand | 00:32:49 | |
Join Nathan, Jonathan, and Hannah for this episode for the Free Speech Union podcast to dive into the pressing issues surrounding free speech in New Zealand, focusing on the implications of recent police training on hate crimes, the role of the Law Commission, and the influence of unelected officials. Jonathan and Hannah provide insightful commentary and updates on ongoing efforts to protect free speech rights in the face of growing challenges. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 06 Aug 2024 | Free Speech vs. "Hate Speech": Navigating New Zealand's Controversial Police Training | 00:54:46 | |
In this episode Jonathan sits down with Major Grant Fletcher, a barrister based in Christchurch, and Graham Edgler, lawyer and political and legal. They delve into the pressing issue of new hate training for police officers, the implications of hate speech and hate crime laws in New Zealand, and how these affect free speech. Tune in for a stimulating discussion on the balance between regulation and freedom, and the societal implications of these contentious issues. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 09 Sep 2024 | The Church and the Treaty: Free Speech in the Face of Controversy | 00:34:49 | |
In this episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Jonathan Ayling is joined by Simon O'Connor, former MP for Tamaki, and Nick Hanne, education partnership manager at FSU. The discussion revolves around a controversial letter signed by 400 church leaders denouncing the Act Party's Treaty Principles Bill. The episode delves into themes of free speech, democracy, and the historical and contemporary role of the church in public discourse. The conversation explores differing views on whether the push to stop the bill from going to select committee stifles public debate and the broader implications for free speech in New Zealand. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 20 Aug 2019 | Episode 10: Dr David Cumin interviews Brendan O'Neill | 00:55:46 | |
Free Speech Coalition's Dr David Cumin interviews British journalist and editor of Spiked! Online, Brendan O'Neill. David and Brendan discuss the similarities between New Zealand and Britain regarding free speech, censorship culture and the current climate surrounding political correctness. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 19 Aug 2019 | Episode 9: Rachel Poulain Interviews Grant Edwards | 00:31:28 | |
Free Speech Coalition spokesperson Rachel Poulain interviews Grant Edwards. Grant is a street preacher with more than 20 years of preaching experience. Recently Grant was preaching on a public street in Whangarei where he was stopped by the police and threatened with being charged under the Summary Offences Act for disorderly behaviour. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 03 Oct 2024 | FSU Talks | The Law Commission Discussion Paper | 01:05:16 | |
Join Nick Hanne, Jillaine Heather, and Alex Penk for an FSU Talk on the recent Law Commission's discussion paper which examined the question of amending the Human Rights Act to include trans gender and intersex individuals as a protected class. These potential changes have significant implications for free speech and the weaponisation of a subjective definition of identity and also harm. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||