Explore every episode of the podcast Free Speech Union's Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSU Talks | The Law Commission Discussion Paper | 03 Oct 2024 | 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/ | |||
| The Church and the Treaty: Free Speech in the Face of Controversy | 09 Sep 2024 | 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/ | |||
| Another victory for free speech: DIA abandons proposals for online censorship | 10 May 2024 | 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/ | |||
| Special Report: Facing the Fury of the Academy: The Listener Letter and Academic Freedom in New Zealand. | 20 Nov 2021 | 00:34:53 | |
Is academic freedom in Aotearoa in peril? https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Special Report: Michael Laws takes on regional council's "Codes of Conduct". | 18 Nov 2021 | 00:25:04 | |
Comments made to the media about council staff have landed Michael Laws - Otago Regional Council deputy chairman and former Whanganui Mayor - in hot water. The code of conduct complaint was lodged by council chief executive Sarah Gardner on August 16. But Laws is fighting back with claims that codes of conduct, throughout the entire country, are a blight on local democracy as they are empowering chief executives to silence critics and dodge accountability. Michael talks us through the specifics of his case and lays out just how corrupt council's codes of conduct are. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| The Misuse of "Holocaust" with Juliet Moses | 15 Nov 2021 | 00:52:06 | |
Is "Word Policing" consistent with Free Speech principles? Free Speech Union Spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to Auckland-based solicitor and Spectator columnist Juliet Moses about her recent piece (available online: https://spectator.com.au/author/juliet-mosesexample-com/) that criticized a high profile protester's invoking of the Holocaust in opposition to Dave Chappelle's Netflix stand-up special "The Closer". Dane and Juliet also wrestle with separating art from questionable artists and explore why so many Jews are front and center in the current pushback against wokeism and the current anti-speech movement. Join today fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Academic Freedoms with Cambridge History Professor Robert Tombs ft. Prof. Paul Moon and Dr. David Cumin | 21 Oct 2021 | 00:47:59 | |
History may be brimming with battlegrounds, but the discipline has long been one itself. Propagandists both of yesteryear and today have tried to subvert it for ideological reasons which is why today's guest, Robert Tombs, Emeritus Professor of French History, Cambridge, and a Fellow of St John’s College, helped found "History Reclaimed", an initiative dedicated to clawing back the pursuit from bad-faith actors. Robert Tombs is joined by leading New Zealand Historian Prof. Paul Moon and Dr. David Cumin to discuss "History Reclaimed" and the general state of academic freedoms in the West today. www.fsu/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Interview with Jonathan Rauch | 14 Oct 2021 | 01:01:12 | |
Join us for an interview with author, journalist, gay-rights activist, and prominent free speech advocate, Jonathan Rauch. Originally recorded as a Free Speech Union members-only event, we now offer the wider New Zealand public an opportunity to listen to an audio version of the full, rousing interview. Free Speech Union Council Member, Dr. David Cumin moderates drawing from Rauch’s seminal book in support of Free Speech "Kindly Inquisitors". https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Rachel Poulain speaks to New Plymouth District Councillor Anneka Carlson | 07 Oct 2021 | 00:36:32 | |
New Plymouth District Councillor Anneka Carlson was sharply criticized after posting a 13-minute video to her personal Facebook page in which she covered topics including vaccine efficacy and human rights. Accused of being anti-vax the council resisted calls to take action against Carlson, but the incident did highlight how ready many people are to leap on anyone asking questions about the COVID response. Will demonizing and silencing critics work, however? Or does it risk tipping the undecided into the anti-vax camp? Rachel Poulain puts this question to Anneka Carlson and gets her side of the story as to what motivated the post, the misrepresentations she had to endure, and why allowing for the concerns of the hesitant is likely to be far more beneficial in the long run to the overall vaccine program. Join today www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Dane Giraud speaks with Investigative Journalist Ian Sinclair | 04 Oct 2021 | 00:45:12 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud interviews veteran journalist Ian Sinclair (most famous for a lengthy stint on staple investigative show "Sunday"). The discussion ranges from Ian's encounter with real fascism in Franco's Spain that inspired his move into hard-hitting journalism, the prevalence of opinion pieces today and whether they harm the current media landscape, and the potentially troubling implications of the new 55 million dollar media fund. Join us today at www.fsu/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Is Name Suppression A Free Speech Issue? ft. Stephen Franks, Graeme Edgeler and Daniel Kalderimis | 28 Sep 2021 | 01:04:21 | |
Join us for the podcast version of a live discussion (recorded on the 27th of Sept) with Free Speech Union Council Member, Stephen Franks, and prominent lawyers Graeme Edgeler and Daniel Kalderimis as they consider the free speech implications of court order name suppression, and whether such orders place an unacceptable limit on free speech www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Special Report: Speak Up For Women vs NZME | 21 Sep 2021 | 00:25:54 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Jordan Williams talks with "Speak Up For Women" co-founder Beth Johnson about the women's rights group's recent stoush with NZME. The media juggernaut canceled one of their advertisements after complaints from a handful of activists despite the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) having already cleared the ad after it attracted criticism in billboard form. Our support for "SUFW" in this instance prompted pushback even from some of our supporters, as NZME is a private company. Get up to speed with this special report on the ideological takeover of our media, and hear why our defense of "SUFW" against the privately-owned NZME was so integral to the wider Free Speech battle. www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Stephen Franks speaks with Nadine Strossen | 21 Sep 2021 | 00:36:53 | |
In this episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Free Speech Union Council Member Stephen Franks interviews prominent free speech activist and legal academic, Nadine Strossen. Ms. Strossen was the first female president of the American Civil Liberties Union, and sat down for a live discussion with Free Speech Union members. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Canceling the FSU from university; and other childish antics | 29 Apr 2024 | 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/ | |||
| Interview with Economist Ananish Chaudhuri | 12 Sep 2021 | 00:47:31 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Rahera Poulain speaks with economist Ananish Chaudhuri about the importance of Free Speech and the troubling lack of criticism from the media and the opposition to the mounting examples of government overreach we've seen throughout the pandemic response. A thought-provoking interview with a world-renowned mind. Enjoy and if you haven't already join the Free Speech Union today at www.fsu/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Jonathan Ayling speaks with Simon Bridges on free speech, culture wars, and newly released memoir, National Identity | 10 Sep 2021 | 00:35:26 | |
| Conversion Therapy Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill (Public submission by the Free Speech Union) | 08 Sep 2021 | 00:14:22 | |
The Conversion Therapy Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill is certain to impinge on New Zealander's freedom of expression and needs amendments. Listen here to an unabridged version of the Free Speech Union's submission on the Bill that will step you through our very specific Free Speech concerns and their potentially devastating implications www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Rachel Poulain speaks to Anna Rippon and Dr. Michael Morris of the New Zealand chapter of vegan group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). | 30 Aug 2021 | 00:31:50 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Rachel Poulain speaks with Anna Rippon and Dr. Michael Morris of the New Zealand chapter of vegan group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), a “global grassroots network of animal rights activists”. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Professor of Philosophy Kathleen Stock speaks to Daphna Whitmore (audio-only version of the Free Speech Unions Speakeasy webinar presented on the 22nd of July) | 05 Aug 2021 | 00:37:25 | |
For the Free Speech Unions first Speakeasy webinar (presented on the 22nd of July) we sat down with Kathleen Stock author and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sussex. Kathleen has been aggressively targeted by the outrage mob for her insistence that the relationship between sex and gender can never be “beyond debate”. She has become a figurehead for the pushback against the censorious approach of organisations like "Stonewall", in which everyday language and ordinary people’s understanding of what men and women are have been declared offensive, bigoted or discriminatory. Kathleen draws on the analysis set out in her new book, Material Girls: Why Reality Matters for Feminism, to take us through the reasons why this issue has become so controversial, not just amongst activists and intellectuals but across our institutions and our political and cultural life, leading to the extraordinary denunciation of JK Rowling and others. Throughout, Kathleen has exemplified the spirit of good faith debate and has actively defended the free speech of others. Last year she was awarded an OBE in recognition of her contribution to higher education. In this audio version of the webinar Kathleen speaks with Free Speech Union member Daphna Whitmore (Speak Up For Women) www.fsu.nz www.Savefreespeech.co.nz https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Imam Mustenser Qamar on alternatives to 'Hate Speech' | 31 Jul 2021 | 01:02:12 | |
Imam Mustenser Qamar of the Wellington Ahmadiyya Muslim Community returns to the podcast to discuss alternative approaches to fighting racism and discrimination with the Free Speech Union's Dane Giraud. Imam Mustenser also discusses his attendance at a recent Ministry of Justice hui on the proposed 'Hate Speech' laws and his concerns for religious freedoms should the laws as presented be passed. Imam and Dane also discuss how 'Hate Speech' laws could potentially making dialogue and the educational initiatives the Imam is involved in harder by making people with hostile views on minority groups less prepared to risk conversation. Make sure you share this episode on all your networks, become a member at www.fsu.nz/join and complete a submission in what is now the final week at www.freespeechsubmission.com https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Interview with legend of the NZ Union movement Matt McCarten | 25 Jul 2021 | 00:44:04 | |
Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks with political organiser and legend of the New Zealand Union movement (as well as new FSU member) Matt McCarten. In a candid and wide-ranging discussion Matt talks about the centrality of Free Speech to traditional Left-wing politics and societal progress, why we should reject any talk of Free Speech being a Left-Right issue, and how shutting down debate ultimately serves the neoliberal status quo. A powerful and informative conversation with a lot of important reminders that it is Free Speech supporters who truly stand on the side of fairness and progress. Do make sure you spread the message by sharing this episode with all your networks, and if you haven't already, make your submission (in under 3 mins) against proposed 'Hate Speech' laws at www.freespeechsubmission.com www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| MOJ Proposals to Reform the Legal Framework Related to Hate Speech (Public Submission by the Free Speech Union) | 22 Jul 2021 | 00:33:04 | |
Absorb some of the most powerful arguments against the Government's proposed 'Hate Speech' laws with this spirited reading of the Free Speech Union's Public submission. And make sure to make your own submission (in well under 5 minutes) using the website www.freespeechsubmission.com because you have a right to be heard. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Interview with Historian Paul Moon | 19 Jul 2021 | 00:44:21 | |
Guest host Ani O'Brien speaks to renowned New Zealand Historian Paul Moon about navigating through the minefields of this contentious academic field, the health of free speech within our universities, and the challenge of critical theory and what makes it is so dangerous for the advancement of fact-based research. A great and far-ranging discussion with one of New Zealand's greatest minds. Enjoy! But not before supporting our petition at Savefreespeech.co.nz https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Dr. David Cumin and Dane Giraud discuss the now released plan for hate speech laws | 27 Jun 2021 | 00:50:53 | |
The Free Speech Union's Dr. David Cumin and Dane Giraud dig into the six proposals being offered up as the government's new hate speech laws. And they are truly frightening! An in-depth episode that shines a light on numerous troubling aspects of what is currently being tabled, we also analyze Justice Minister Kris Faafoi's less-than-assuring interview with Tova O'Brien in which he couldn't tell us if millennials wouldn't be imprisoned for hating on boomers! fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| ‘From the River to the Sea': Censorship, free speech, and the Israel-Gaza conflict. | 07 Dec 2023 | 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/ | |||
| Special Report: Victory for Speak Up For Women. | 27 Jun 2021 | 00:23:18 | |
Dane Giraud speaks to spokeswoman for 'Speak Up For Women' Daphna Kaye Whitmore about her groups stunning success in the High Court last week against Auckland and Palmerston North city councils. The rulings are a major accomplishment both for 'SUFW' and the 'Free Speech Union' who supported the group through their battle. Is the tide turning? Ideologically captured councils will now have to think twice about breaching the bill of rights and de-platforming groups that don't conform to woke culture. Listen to an episode that's all good news, and if you're not a member of the 'Free Speech Union' join today! fsu.nz/ join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| 'Special Announcement' episode with Speak Up For Women spokeswoman Beth Johnson | 21 Jun 2021 | 00:26:48 | |
Beth Johnson, a spokeswoman for women's rights group 'Speak Up For Women', returns after a short two weeks with a big announcement: after a series of unjustified and unlawful cancellations from various council venues for the crime of wanting to discuss a bill currently before parliament, 'SUFW' with the support of the 'Free Speech Union', will be heading to the courts in defense of our bill of rights. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Interview with Beth Johnson, spokeswoman for Speak Up For Women | 07 Jun 2021 | 00:27:00 | |
Dr. David Cumin interviews Beth Johnson of 'Speak Up For Women', a women's rights advocacy group that has had several public talks canceled by city councils over the past few weeks. It seems our councils still have no issue breaching the bill of rights and discriminating against certain interest groups, despite the 'Free Speech Union' having recently received a court ruling that councils must uphold freedom of expression. A chilling interview, but also a serious call to action. Remember to share this episode and if you are not already a member join the 'FSU' today. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Interview with Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union UK | 01 Jun 2021 | 00:30:14 | |
Patrick Corish interviews British journalist and founder of the Free Speech Union UK, Toby Young. In a wide-ranging conversation, Young discusses the desperate need for, and scope of the Union he established in early 2020, along with some of their early wins. A sister organization to the NZ Free Speech Union, this episode also serves as a helpful primer for the support we too will offer in the fight for Free Speech in New Zealand. Join today @ www.fsu.nz/join https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Panel Discussion: FSC Court of Appeal Judgement | 30 Apr 2021 | 00:27:25 | |
Jordan Williams, Stephen Franks and Patrick Corish discuss the Court of Appeal judgement, released this morning. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 33: Twitter Purge Victim Speaks, Dane Giraud interviews former ACT Candidate Stephen Berry | 19 Jan 2021 | 00:22:04 | |
Last week you heard from our panel of experts on the big ideas surrounding the recent advances made by big tech companies into their new role of arbiters of acceptable speech.
https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| FSC Round Table: Is Big Tech a Threat to Free Speech? | 15 Jan 2021 | 01:02:07 | |
In the wake of the Capitol Hill riot on the 6th of January, American tech companies removed Donald Trump from a number of the most globally popular social media sites. In the following days thousands of other accounts were suspended or banned, with the fallout reaching to a number of mostly right wing New Zealand accounts. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 32: Stephen Franks interviews Chief Censor David Shanks | 05 Oct 2020 | 00:28:58 | |
Free Speech Coalition spokesperson Stephen Franks sat down for a conversation with New Zealand's Chief Censor David Shanks. Stephen and David discussed the classification of the manifesto, the role the censor has in protecting children, censorship in the digital age and the value war-time reporting has in communicating the horrors of war. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 31: Don Brash, 'Is freedom of speech under threat in New Zealand?' | 11 Sep 2020 | 00:52:21 | |
Don Brash has been an outspoken advocate for free speech, democracy and open dialogue. In this speech, Mr Brash takes an in-depth look at the state of free speech in New Zealand, noting that while there have been a number of instances where the speech of individuals has been silenced, the voices in defence of this foundational principle are increasingly gaining prominence. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 30: Dr Kierstead on ancient Greek values of free speech and diversity of thought at our universities | 27 Aug 2020 | 00:50:38 | |
In this episode of the Free Speech Coalition podcast, Patrick Corish interviews Victoria University of Wellington Senior Lecturer of Classical Studies James Kierstead. Dr Kierstead gives a unique perspective on free speech in ancient Greece and talks about his research work on diversity of thought in academia. They also tackle the question classical students often wonder: was Socrates an assh*le? https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Keyboard warriors clash: opponents meet to test free speech | 22 Sep 2023 | 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/ | |||
| Episode 29: You won't change hearts and minds by breaking funny bones | 17 Aug 2020 | 00:05:14 | |
In this short think piece, Dane Giraud laments the trend of culturally shallow and naive attacks on comedy and creativity, and how it all seems reminiscent of every other attempt by authority figures to ban people from seeing works they personally dislike. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 28: Dr David Cumin interview Winston Peters MP | 10 Aug 2020 | 00:30:30 | |
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has never shied away from robust speech, so when he sat down on the FSC Podcast we wanted to get to the bottom of his position on the line between free speech and hate speech, what should be done about Universities which don't uphold their duty to academic freedom, and where Andrew Little's hate speech legislation has gotten to. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 27: In the Court of Appeal with Stephen Franks | 31 Jul 2020 | 00:26:06 | |
Elected officials should not have the power to choose who can speak in our public spaces. And yet, that will be the result if the High Court's decision in the Free Speech Coalition's case against Regional Facilities Auckland is not overturned this week. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 26: Steve Elers and the Pronoun Showdown | 27 Jul 2020 | 00:26:25 | |
A few weeks ago, Massey University lecturer Dr Steve Elers’s weekly column in the Manawatu-Standard sparked calls for disciplinary procedures to be invoked against him and an article by the Vice Chancellor qualifying Massey’s commitment to academic freedom. Dr Elers agreed to talk us through this most recent example of Massey University's intolerance of academic freedom. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 25: Free Speech within Islam with Imam Mustenser Qamar | 20 Jul 2020 | 00:41:47 | |
In preparation for the Interfaith Panel on Free Speech, Patrick sat down with Imam Mustenser Qamar to discuss the position on free speech within Islam. A member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Imam Mustenser has a unique perspective on the value which free speech has to members of a minority community. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 24: What is the Maori position on Free Speech? | 12 Jul 2020 | 00:29:49 | |
In a spirited conversation with Dane Giraud, Maori broadcaster and commentator Ward Kamo discusses Maori perspectives on Free Speech and how banning offensive speech denies Maori the opportunity to "set the record straight." https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 23: Prof. Paul Spoonley Doesn't Believe in the Multicultural Society | 05 Jul 2020 | 00:04:34 | |
This is the audio version of a blog post which you can find here. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 22: Daphna Whitmore on Marxism and Free Speech | 18 May 2020 | 00:51:39 | |
On this episode, Dane is joined by editor of Redline blog, Daphna Whitmore. Together they transcend the Left/Right divide and embark on an understanding of the free speech implications of issues like the Twitter mob, the Government's proposed emergency police powers, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 21: Dr Steve Elers on the media during a crisis | 10 May 2020 | 00:40:45 | |
Dr Steve Elers is a professor of communications and media at Massey University, who's article criticising the Prime Minister attracted corrections from the PM's office. Patrick Corish sat down with Dr Elers for this virtual episode of FSC Podcast, to discuss what this means for the media in the wake of the $50 million bailout package for news sites. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Dane Giraud interviews David Farrar on Govt. bans on some media as part of level 4 COVID-19 response | 31 Mar 2020 | 00:09:57 | |
Dane Giraud interviews David Farrar on Govt. bans on some media as part of level 4 COVID-19 response, and why it's an important matter of free speech. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| River of Freedom: a documentary epic on the need for open debate | 07 Sep 2023 | 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/ | |||
| Free Speech Podcast LIVE: Jordan Williams, Ani O'Brien and Damien Grant | 23 Mar 2020 | 01:05:35 | |
In this special live episode, join Free Speech Coalition spokesperson Jordan Williams as he hosts Ani O'Brien of Speak Up 4 Women and Stuff columnist Damien Grant for a debate on all things free speech, from Twitter, transgender politics, abortion clinic 'safe zones', pornography, and the ban on the Christchurch shooter's manifesto and video. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 20: Patrick Corish interviews Georgina Blackmore | 12 Mar 2020 | 00:43:42 | |
This week, Patrick talks with Georgina Blackmore about the upcoming Abortion Legalisation Bill, in particular the “safe areas” which the bill would establish to prevent protest in the vicinity of abortion clinics, and the state of protest rights globally. Georgina has been at the forefront of a number of protest groups, and is an experienced and skilled activist. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||
| Episode 19: Patrick Corish interviews Professor James Flynn - Part One | 25 Feb 2020 | 00:40:07 | |
This is the first part in a two part discussion with world renowned moral philosopher and psychologist James Flynn. Professor Flynn has been at the forefront of the discussion on intelligence, race and IQ, bringing this together with a deep grasp of moral and political philosophy. https://www.fsu.nz/ | |||