Free speech: The lifeblood of our democracy
It's nice to be home after traveling to Sydney this week for a series of meetings. We met with the other leaders of Free Speech Unions from Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa and launched the International Association of Free Speech Unions (which will soon also be inviting Canada to our ranks).
I'm simultaneously dismayed at the erosion of free speech across the world while being so encouraged that there are other organisations putting in the hard yards like ours.
I really wonder where our country would be right now if it weren't for the work you enable us to do!
While we might be keeping the bullies at bay, other countries are in dire need of help to protect their civil liberties. This is why I am proud to be part of the launch of the International Association of Free Speech Unions.
The launch of the International Association of Free Speech Unions
We want to make it easier for Free Speech Unions in other countries to launch and we want to support them in the process. So, along with our sister organisations, we've set out to do just that.
(Left to right: Dara Macdonald (Australia), Toby Young (United Kingdom), Sara Gon (South Africa), Dr. Roderick Mulgan (New Zealand).
Jonathan and FSU UK's founder, Toby Young, sum it up in their article that has been published in The Australian today (it's pay-walled, so we copy some of it below):
"The enemies of free speech hunt in packs, so its defenders must band together, too.
In the face of escalating cancel culture, a rapacious appetite for censorship, and the erosion of intellectual tolerance and academic freedom around the world – but especially in the English-speaking world – we’re committed to standing with those individuals facing down outrage mobs on social media or attempts by the state to censor them.
Like so many other bullies (let’s be honest, that’s the best term for these would-be Torquemadas), they’re not used to being challenged. We’ve discovered that if you push back robustly, they often back down.
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We need to defend free speech, not further erode it, and not just because without it we cannot raise the alarm when any of our other human rights come under threat.
It is also one of the fundamental freedoms that characterise the most peaceful, prosperous, stable countries in the world, particularly the Anglosphere.
Respecting the individual freedom, autonomy and dignity of every person is key to why our societies are so prosperous. Some people have attacked free speech in the name of protecting vulnerable, historically marginalised groups. But the rights of minorities are better protected in our countries than anywhere else on earth -- one reason so many beleaguered groups want to make their home in our countries.
To refuse to countenance any ‘wrongthink’ on these critical issues is to condemn each of our countries to dogmatic, ideological, close-minded responses to some of the greatest challenges we face.
Building on the work we're doing in each of our societies, the IAFSU will work to defend the right to free speech in the Anglosphere and beyond."
A new gold standard: University of Otago's new free speech policy
Closer to home, we're celebrating a great result for free speech in Dunedin! Our team is in awe of the University of Otago's new policy on free speech. When I read the statement, I would have believed it was by the Free Speech Union! 😄
It opens with: "Free speech is the lifeblood of a university."
We couldn't agree more.
There are so many excellent parts, but I especially applaud that it acknowledges that some ideas shouldn't be off limits simply because some deem them unwise or offensive, and that the university is not a place to be kept ‘safe’ from ideas.
"The University is not a place for safety from ideas – it is a place to engage in critical thought and debate in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding."
It specifies that students won't be prepared for the world unless they experience confronting opinions with which they disagree, and it emphasises that universities should be places where ideas are free from political interference or suppression.
"Only through a preparedness to challenge, question, and criticise ideas can progress in understanding take place."
It's simply refreshing, isn't it? This policy is a stark contrast to the University of Auckland's recently drafted policy on free speech and the attitudes we've seen coming from Victoria University and Massey.
Otago has set a new gold standard for universities across the country. But the proof will be in the pudding; we'll make sure these aren't just words, but it's put into action, too.
Mātauranga Māori in the spotlight again
You'll remember the incredible reaction that occurred in 2021 when 7 prominent academics wrote a letter in The Listener disputing whether mātauranga māori was science. Thousands signed a counter-letter, the academics feared for their jobs, and two who were fellows of the Royal Academy were threatened with expulsion.
Yesterday, a number of the same academics including Prof. Kendall Clements, Prof. Garth Cooper, Prof. Douglas Elliffe, and Prof. Elizabeth Rata wrote another article in Science (the publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science). They claimed:
We believe that harm arises when nonscience is presented as science, and we remain unconvinced that the intent of the mana ōrite initiative is to present Indigenous knowledge and culture as science or to compete with scientific concepts in science classes.
By contrast, those who advocate vitalism, and more recently creationism, aim to replace science altogether. Indigenous knowledge provides important insight into our world, just as science does. We agree... that these concepts should not be introduced just as occasional curated examples in science and other classes, but rather as a subject taught authentically by Māori.
Frankly, it's above my pay grade to decide how we treat complex questions like competing 'ways of knowing'. What I do know is that no one should fear for their job or have a career's-worth of achievements undone simply because they disagree with others on the answer.
The Listener 7 have become infamous for the way they were treated in response to basic claims. We will follow with interest how this article is received. You can read the full article from Science here.
Democracy matters: more work against censorial councils
It's one thing to be told there's a problem with local democracy, and it's another thing to see it in action. Our team wrote to another two councils this week following concerns that they're stifling speech.
1. Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate recently called on Simeon Brown, the Minister for Local Government, to set up an ‘independent arbiter’ to enforce Codes of Conduct against councillors.
But as we pointed out to her, we already see Codes of Conduct weaponised enough. A disciplinary body tasked with investigating complaints would lead to further silencing of perspectives held by elected officials, not to mention more self censorship.
I imagine just the notion of this will cause councillors to self censor further. No one wants to be the subject of a complaint, so it's easier just to keep quiet, right? But that's why we can't sit by. We are all worse off when censorship is at play.
2. Wellington City Councillors are discussing guidelines for managing council venue bookings after Nīkau Wi Neera wanted the Inflection Point conference cancelled earlier this year.
But we've told them that refusing or cancelling event bookings because they may include speech that some consider to be “exclusionary”, “nasty” or not “responsible” will not be legally justifiable.
Who do they think they are determining what their community can and can't say, and can and can't hear?
We are happy to advise the Council they don't need to spend time and trouble on writing guidelines. Thanks to us, the High Court has already said that councils are obliged to make meeting facilities available to everyone regardless of their opinion. That is the law. No further analysis required!
If the Council continues with this approach, it could very well find itself in court spending ratepayers' money trying to defend a subjective decision to silence voices they disagree with.
So, that brings us to a total of five councils we've communicated with in the past month along with Matamata-Piako District Council, New Plymouth District Council and Marlborough District Council. And we're staying eagle-eyed for any others that dare encroach on the public's speech rights.
It made my day yesterday when in response to our letter to Wellington City Council, one of the councillors said why don't we just adopt the Otago University Statement on free speech and make it relevant to our council decisions?
'Free speech is the lifeblood of our local council' - I like the sound of that!
In a global context, it's easy to see New Zealand as just a tiny piece of the puzzle. But threats against free speech overseas blow over here; and likewise, I truly believe, with your help, we are making waves beyond these shores.
Enjoy your Saturday.
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P.S. Our team is lean, but the reason we can punch above our weight is because of the tens of thousands of Kiwis standing with us. By joining the Free Speech Union, you are partnering with an organisation that is leading the fight for a truly tolerant, inclusive New Zealand. Join our ranks now.
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