Free Speech Union's Podcast

Nathan, Jonathan, Nick, Steph look back on a big year of wins, challenges, and everything in between. From legal battles to media advocacy and educational tours, they share highlights, lessons, and hopes for 2025. A huge thanks to the community that makes it all possible!Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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. Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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. Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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 Ellishttps://knightlyviews.com/For more information about the Free Speech Unionhttps://www.fsu.nz/Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.“Minorities are always better off in a society that protects hate speech than in a society that protects us from hate speech.” - Jonathan RauchFor more information about Jonathan, https://www.brookings.edu/people/jonathan-rauch/For more information about the Free Speech Union, www.fsu.nzSupport the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.nzSupport the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

Former Judge Dr. David Harvey and Netsafe CEO Brent Carey discuss the DIA's abandoned proposal for online censorship.The Free Speech Union celebrates the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. It is increasingly clear Kiwis have no interest in our would-be-censors’ obsession with trying to control what they say. The DIA’s proposals for online content and media regulation set themselves up to effectively be hate speech laws for the internet and press, created by an unelected, unaccountable ‘regulator’ without the legislative scrutiny that Parliament normally provides. It is a worst-case scenario for free speech. Bravo, free speech champions of New ZealandSupport the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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. Jonathan and Michael discuss the implications of this fragility in our institutions of higher learning, and what the inability to free (and think) freely means for our next generation of 'scholars'. Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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. Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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. There are two very different views on free speech on display in this podcast. So rarely do we have the opportunity to hear two so very different perspectives engage respectfully. And in the end, it's you who gets to decide which view is right. Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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? Our lives have been impacted in unprecedented ways by COVID-19; but this virus has also been weaponised by our would-be-censors to corral us into one position on this issue, and a host of others. In this episode, Jonathan Ayling sits down with the director of River of Freedom, a recently released documentary film on the 2022 occupation of Parliament. Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.  Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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.   Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

"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. We're often told that the marginalised, oppressed and poor need protection from free speech, probably provided by the State, to ensure that free speech doesn't oppress them. But in reality, free speech enables the powerless to undermine the powerful by insisting that ideas and speech should be challenged with dialogue and reason, not force. Jonathan Ayling and Adam Young from the Free Speech Union sit down with Prof. Arther Grimes to consider this important research, and look at why it is the poorer in society, the uneducated, and the vulnerable who benefit from the radical idea that even they should be free to speak.    Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

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. Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz