Pages tagged "Covid19 Inquiry"
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Free Speech Union welcomes expansion of COVID-19 Inquiry Terms of Reference and wider conversation on social cohesion
MEDIA RELEASE
25 June 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFree Speech Union welcomes expansion of COVID-19 Inquiry Terms of Reference and wider conversation on social cohesion
In an era of growing polarisation and division in our society, our response to COVID-19 has led to even greater fractures. The Free Speech Union called for the COVID-19 Terms of Reference to be expanded and to include, among other issues, the impact our response had on social division. This is what the Government has committed to, and we welcome that decision, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union.
“The Free Speech Union facilitated over 4,000 of the 13,000 submissions made to this consultation. Implicit in each of these submissions is the belief that suppressing dissent, or even patently wrong views, does little to address the error, and erodes social cohesion.
“Free speech is indispensable for any true cohesion or unity to exist.
“The ‘Team of 5 million’ (and similar messaging) was a cynical taunt for many who felt unable to speak out against features of the response to COVID-19. This has led to greater polarisation in New Zealand.
“Putting aside whether those individuals were correct or not, as a country we must not move forward without examining the way our response exacerbated division.
“We also welcome the opportunity for public hearings of evidence. Through this process, we trust a mature, open public conversation will emerge that allows us to respond better to crises in the future, and for divisions that have been caused or worsened by this response to be addressed.”
ENDS
Media contact - Jonathan Ayling 021 842 215, [email protected]
Note to editor: Read more about the submissions we facilitated here. -
Over 2,000 submissions in just 24 hours urge Royal Commission’s COVID-19 Inquiry to examine speech rights
MEDIA RELEASE
21 March 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOver 2,000 submissions in just 24 hours urge Royal Commission’s COVID-19 Inquiry to examine speech rights
In 24 hours, over 2,000 Kiwis have submitted feedback using the Free Speech Union’s online tool to ensure the Royal Commission’s expanded terms of reference for the COVID-19 Inquiry includes an examination of speech rights, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union.
“Arguably, no single event in recent history has had such an impact on our speech rights than the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Whether it was the Prime Minister’s message that the Government was the only reliable source of truth, academic freedom being suppressed on university campuses, or threats from professional bodies against individuals dissenting against the Government’s COVID-19 response, our right to openly receive and exchange information was undermined.
“We’re calling for the Royal Commission’s COVID-19 Inquiry to consider whether Government policies surrounding COVID-19 inhibited free speech in New Zealand.
“Thousands have echoed our concerns that the Government’s response to COVID-19 created clear divisions in our society and has influenced how we continue to communicate with each other.
“This is Kiwis’ chance to make their voices heard.”
Submissions can be made in less than three minutes at www.covidsubmissions.nz.
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