Free Speech Union's Podcast
The official podcast of the Free Speech Union. Focused on protecting and promoting freedom of expression in New Zealand, the Free Speech Union Podcast hosts interviews with international and local guests discussing the importance of free speech in a free and open society.www.fsu.nz
Episodes
161 episodes since 2019
The Church and the Treaty: Free Speech in the Face of Controversy
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 churc...
September 09, 2024
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34:49
Free Speech vs. "Hate Speech": Navigating New Zealand's Controversial Police Training
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 implicati...
August 06, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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54:46
Free Speech Under Fire: Challenging institutional Censorship and public service Activism in New Zealand
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...
August 02, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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32:49
The historical and philosophical underpinnings of free speech with Prof Michael Grimshaw
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 U...
July 25, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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55:59
Unmasking Unteaching: A Conversation with Dr. Paul Crowhurst
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...
July 17, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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44:34
Nick & Nathan on Schools & Regulatory bodies
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.
July 11, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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47:49
"If not journalists then who?" with Dr Gavin Ellis
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 ...
July 04, 2024
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58:17
"Why Free Speech is the Only Safe Space for Minorities" with Jonathan Rauch
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.“Minoritie...
May 28, 2024
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45:31
"The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything" with Prof Eric Heinze
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, ...
May 22, 2024
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52:50
Another victory for free speech: DIA abandons proposals for online censorship
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 reg...
May 09, 2024
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33:04
Canceling the FSU from university; and other childish antics
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 ...
April 28, 2024
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41:11
‘From the River to the Sea': Censorship, free speech, and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
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 co...
December 06, 2023
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1:13:30
Keyboard warriors clash: opponents meet to test free speech
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,...
September 22, 2023
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1:11:34
River of Freedom: a documentary epic on the need for open debate
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...
September 07, 2023
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37:51
"A Liberal Democracy Operates Because Voices Are Heard!" Sir Peter Gluckman on Social Cohesion and Free Speech
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 w...
August 27, 2023
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39:33
Free speech developments at University of Auckland
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 re...
July 09, 2023
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42:09
The fear of tyrants: why free speech is for the marginalised, oppressed and poor
"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 poo...
June 25, 2023
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36:15
Universities in trouble- why the academic freedom results matter
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, ...
June 01, 2023
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46:12
Worrying Trends: Academic Freedom in New Zealand with Prof. Elizabeth Rata and Dr. David Bromell
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 discu...
May 31, 2023
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39:58
Interview with Jonathan Ayling and Paul Brennan on Reality Check Radio
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.
May 22, 2023
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33:20
Interview with Prof. Grant Schofield: Academic freedom and the need for courage
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 whe...
May 15, 2023
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43:48
What Would Nadine Do? A debrief on the Nadine Strossen tour and 'The Disinformation Project' report.
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 discus...
May 08, 2023
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40:46
Should The Public Square ever be 'Cool and Rational'? with Dr David Cumin and A/Prof Mike Grimshaw
"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...
April 19, 2023
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51:58
Interview with Samantha Blanchard director of Silenced
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 ...
April 10, 2023
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53:11
Was Albert Park a turning point in the Free Speech battle?
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 frac...
March 30, 2023
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43:00