Articles in ‘Freedom of Speech’

In an open letter to the University of Sydney, Voices for Freedom co-founder Alia Bland condemns Jacinda Ardern’s appointment as Professor of Practice. Challenging the former prime minister’s reputation for empathy and social cohesion, Bland recounts the personal, financial and social consequences she attributes to New Zealand’s COVID-19 policies. She questions whether the university has considered the experiences of those who lost livelihoods,…

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki says Australian authorities cancelled his visa after questioning him about inflammatory statements concerning religious communities. His case raises a fundamental question for New Zealanders: when does protecting the public justify restricting a person's freedom, and who decides where that line is drawn? Report by eLocal | 23 October 2026 · Freedom of expression is often described as one of democracy's most…

New Zealand abolished the crime of blasphemous libel in 2019, but a renewed debate over extending hate-speech protections to religion has raised a harder question: can the law protect religious people from hatred without protecting religious ideas from criticism or ridicule? Iranian-born lawyer and Free Speech Union Council member Samira Taghavi warns that the distinction can disappear once the state is given power to police offensive religious…

A West Coast-Tasman candidate debate has sparked controversy after organisers excluded Sue Grey from the podium under a reported 5% party-vote threshold rule. Supporters argue the decision denies local voters the opportunity to hear from all candidates contesting the electorate. Critics are calling on the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union to open the Greymouth debate to every official candidate on the ballot. GREYMOUTH, NZ Serious concerns over…

The Free Speech Union rejects comments made by Brian Tamaki calling for New Zealand to be "purged" of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims, and suggesting retaliatory attacks on mosques and temples. "These remarks are divisive and inflammatory and run contrary to the principles of a free and pluralistic society," says Free Speech Union CEO Jillaine Heather. · "One of the core principles of a liberal democracy is that people are judged by their own…

The Free Speech Union has backed the Crown's bid to lift the permanent name suppression of a member of a wealthy New Zealand family convicted of possessing and importing more than 11,000 files of child sexual abuse material. He was sentenced in August 2025 to two years and five months' imprisonment, with his name, his family's name, and the family company all permanently suppressed. The High Court heard the Crown's application on 2 June and…

Source: Free Speech Union Full Submission: Read Full Submission · Published: April 2026 · The Free Speech Union has raised serious concerns over the proposed Policing Amendment Bill, warning it would grant police sweeping new powers to film individuals, detain them, and compel identification at public gatherings. · Scenario Raises Alarm · Turn up to a peaceful protest. An officer films you. A closure notice is issued because a constable…

The draft law was criticized for allegedly conflating legitimate criticism of Israel with anti-Jewish sentiment · A cartoon placard showing a pro-Palestinian protester being silenced at a rally against the Yadan bill, Paris, France, April 16, 2026. © Getty Images / Adnan Farzat/NurPhoto · French lawmakers linked to President Emmanuel Macron have withdrawn a controversial bill aimed at expanding anti-Semitism laws in the…

Photo credit: AI-generated image (ChatGPT/OpenAI) · The FCC chair, Brendan Carr, threatened broadcasters over their coverage of the war with Iran. · Carr suggested broadcasters could face consequences — including license issues — if their war coverage spreads what the administration considers distortions. · This is a chilling precedent. · The media is attempting to cover a rapidly unfolding war while operating under massive information gaps…

Sharing footage of attacks can lead to a prison term, hefty fines or deportation under the Gulf state’s laws · FILE PHOTO: Police cars in Abu Dhabi, UAE. © Getty Images / Cedric Ribeiro · Forty-five people of various nationalities have been arrested for sharing videos of Iranian missile and drone strikes on the UAE, police in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi have confirmed. · Iran has extensively targeted American bases and…