As public officials, you stand on the frontlines of governance. And in an increasingly tense political atmosphere, it’s a delicate tightrope to walk. Trust in the government continues to fall. Polarisation is on the rise, and deeply entrenched views and a culture of safetyism prohibit open debate. It’s a hard time to be neutral!
We need transparency and political neutrality in the machinery of government. We need policy making that is grounded in evidence and open discourse, not ideology and censorship. We need to restore value in viewpoint diversity and open debate in our public service.
But to develop the best policy you need to be able to openly discuss evidence and contest ideas. That means being able to express yourself freely, without having to worry that you might pay a personal or professional cost for doing so.
By embodying democratic values and standing up for your speech rights, you can lead the way to a more transparent and politically neutral public service. You can help ensure that, on behalf of all kiwis, the government of the day is served with robust evidence and debate in its policy agencies. If you believe in more transparent and less ideological government, and in the free speech guiding our way there, the Free Speech Union is here for you.
It won’t be easy. But by embracing free speech as a cornerstone of the democratic process, you can actively contribute to building a brighter and freer future for generations to come.
Our citizens need to know that their government is being served openly, honestly, and fairly. That starts with you.
The Free Speech Union stands with you, in rejecting heavy-handed ideological commissars thwarting the will of the people by imposing their ideological will on government programmes and shutting down staff who dare to call them out.
Join a community of Public Servants who value free expression as a vital ingredient in democratic processes – both for themselves and for the society they represent.