Why is a foreign embassy telling the NZ Herald what it can publish?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Why is a foreign embassy telling the NZ Herald what it can publish? 

The Free Speech Union says remarks from the Chinese Embassy criticising a New Zealand Herald opinion column, written by Jonathan Ayling, raise serious questions about foreign government pressure on New Zealand media.

“The idea that a foreign government would publicly rebuke a New Zealand newspaper for publishing a local opinion piece should concern every New Zealander,” said Jillaine Heather, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. “Our media exists to serve a Kiwi audience - not to reflect the sensitivities of overseas states.”

The Union notes that the column was clearly labelled as opinion - the section of a newspaper specifically intended for robust, contestable arguments. Disagreeing with a viewpoint is legitimate; questioning a newspaper’s right to publish it is a different matter altogether.

This is not about adjudicating the China–Taiwan debate. It is about a basic democratic principle that foreign governments do not get a veto over what New Zealanders are allowed to read, write, or argue about.

“When overseas officials weigh in on domestic opinion pages, the risk isn’t offence - it’s self-censorship,” Heather said. “If media outlets begin anticipating diplomatic displeasure before publishing lawful commentary, public debate narrows quietly but decisively.”

The Free Speech Union says this concern is heightened as New Zealand enters an election year, when open debate and a confident media are essential to democratic decision-making.

“We’ve seen how pressure can escalate,” Heather said. “We defended journalist Portia Mao in court when the Harmful Digital Communications Act was used in an attempt to silence her reporting on foreign interference in New Zealand. Legal threats and political pressure are different tools, but they serve the same end.”

A confident democracy does not fear opinion. It answers it with more speech - not warnings from abroad.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

On Thursday (29/1/26) the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand posted on their website, as well as across social media platforms, condemning The Herald for posting an opinion piece about Taiwan. This is their statement on X. 

This is the Herald opinion piece that they were responding to. Jonathan Ayling is the former CEO of Free Speech Union.

The Free Speech Union previously defended Portia Mao against vexatious litigation. Portia is a journalist whose work covers foreign interference in New Zealand’s politics, including from people associated with the Chinese Government. 

FSU Media Contact: Jillaine Heather | [email protected] | 022 514 6075

www.fsu.nz