‘Harmful’ comments censored by InternetNZ, confirms Free Speech Union’s warnings

27 August 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Harmful’ comments censored by InternetNZ, confirms Free Speech Union’s warnings

After backlash to feedback included in InternetNZ’s recent Members’ Survey report, InternetNZ has withdrawn the report with plans to remove particular comments before republishing. This flies in the face of its members’ rights to speak and listen and is exactly what the Free Speech Union was concerned about when campaigning against InternetNZ’s recent censorial constitutional changes, says Douglas Brown, Free Speech Union Council Member.

“Deleting criticism doesn’t protect members from ‘harm’ – it discredits the organisation, weakens trust, and undermines the intelligence of its members. Are InternetNZ members not trusted to think for themselves?

“When we first exposed InternetNZ’s recent changes that could limit online speech, opponents told us to ‘stay in our lane’, claimed InternetNZ had no issues, and that the Free Speech Union was spreading ‘misinformation’. The removal of unpopular comments is exactly the sort of behaviour we predicted and warned against, though.

“Absolutely, many will find some of the members’ comments in the survey report offensive, but InternetNZ is not the internet lord who determines who gets to read what. If members disagree with the comments, they can call them out and provide counter perspectives. But calling for particular comments to be removed? InternetNZ has bowed to the bullies and induced the Streisand Effect – ensuring the very comments they wanted hidden have now attracted even more attention.

“If InternetNZ wanted to prove our concerns were wrong, they missed an opportunity. InternetNZ’s board and management do not have to agree with the views of its members to publish the results of its survey. InternetNZ claimed ‘we will continue to welcome members with a range of views’. But InternetNZ can’t have its cake and eat it too. Censoring voices you do not like is not being ‘inclusive’. 

“Our campaign against InternetNZ’s recent moves is not one and done. We significantly increased their membership with hundreds of free speech advocates and secured a strong free speech advocate for their board. InternetNZ is simply confirming our predictions. This is just the beginning of our campaign to ensure InternetNZ upholds the speech rights of all Kiwis online. We’re not backing down.”