Latest news with #JonathanAyling
Scoop
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Almost 1/3 Of Public Servants Self-Censor On Misconduct
Almost one in three (30%) public servants do not agree they are 'safe to speak up about wrongdoing or inappropriate behaviour in the workplace', according to the recent Public Service Census. Self-censorship like this, at times based on fear of reprisals, is an ominous chord to sound from the heart of our public service, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. "The public service plays an important role in serving our society and democracy, yet when 30% of public servants fear speaking up and challenging wrongdoing or inappropriate behaviour, we must question what sort of culture prevails. When else are public servants silent when they should speak? 'The Public Service Commissioner, Sir Brian Roche, claims 'good leadership isn't necessarily about deep, technical knowledge. It's the ability to get the confidence and trust of others.' This is impossible in contexts where individuals self-censor in fear. 'Free speech is not simply a vague, abstract right that allows individuals to speak without fear of the government. More importantly, it is the belief that every individual's voice matters and that they have a contribution to make, not least of all in the face of potential wrongdoing. Injustice and abuse thrive in silence. 'The Free Speech Union looks forward to reviewing the action plans that the Commissioner has required as a result of this survey, and the steps the Chief Executives will take to address self-censorship among public servants.'
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
FSU Nominates InternetNZ Board Candidates And Proposes Constitution To Defend Online Speech
Free Speech Union has nominated two candidates to the InternetNZ Council and drafted key constitutional amendments to safeguard free speech online. The internet must remain a free and open space for all New Zealanders, not a platform for ideological gatekeeping, says Jillaine Heather, Council Member of the Free Speech Union. 'These days, speech rights mean little if they don't include online speech. Recent moves by InternetNZ threaten to undermine this core freedom by shifting the organisation away from its essential technical mission. A campaign led by the Free Speech Union has led to a huge influx of InternetNZ memberships, giving individuals voting rights. 'We have nominated Free Speech Union CEO Jonathan Ayling and Canterbury-based lawyer Douglas Brown, who also serves on our Council, for the InternetNZ board election on 31 July. Both candidates are committed to defending an open internet and resisting attempts to expand content moderation powers beyond legal requirements. 'In recent years, InternetNZ declared itself 'institutionally racist' and proposed constitutional changes that could pave the way for greater censorship. We have instead drafted constitutional amendments that keep InternetNZ focused on its vital role managing New Zealand's internet infrastructure – not deciding what speech is acceptable. 'We aren't standing to take over or impose our worldview on InternetNZ – it's the exact opposite. We're working to ensure intellectual diversity and to protect the rights of all Kiwis to participate online, regardless of how popular or controversial their views may be.' Note: InternetNZ's AGM will be held on 31st July. For InternetNZ members, voting starts on 14th July. See nominations here:
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Banks Should Stay Out Of Culture Wars: FSU Welcomes Bill To Protect Against Debanking
Banks need to stay in their lane, providing essential services, without wading into culture wars. We support the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment (Duty to Provide Financial Services) Amendment Bill, but strongly urge that wording is altered to ensure banks cannot punish unpopular speech by withdrawing essential services, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. 'The Bill addresses a real and growing threat to freedom of expression – the use of financial infrastructure to enforce ideological conformity. Access to banking services is essential for full participation in society, and ideologies should not determine if someone has access to these services or not. 'We've submitted, commending the intent of the Bill to prevent financial institutions from 'debanking' individuals or organisations based on ideological or political grounds. We've also offered specific concerns and recommendations to ensure the Bill effectively protects the right to freedom of expression. Private companies have the right to deny service, but in a captured market, common-carrier principles apply to prevent exclusion from essential services based on lawful beliefs or expression. 'We've highlighted that particular wording risks inadvertently narrowing protection by listing only four prohibited grounds, which implies that other forms of discriminatory debanking remain permissible. We recommend that a broader definition replace this one so that banks cannot treat any consumer less favourably based on their ideologies. 'We've recommended that consideration be given to the popularity of financial institutions using ESG policies, and the risks these create in denying lawful individuals and businesses access to services, often based on disagreement with their views. 'We proposed that the Bill defines 'valid and verifiable commercial reasons' where an individual or business can be debanked, ensuring lawful expression is not included in this definition. Additionally, we added that safeguards should be in place, such as a requirement for written notice and time for a right of reply. 'The Bill has an opportunity to be a timely and necessary intervention to protect freedom of expression in the financial services sector. Kiwis should not risk being debanked simply for holding an opinion.'
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Hutt City Council Affirms Commitment To Free Speech, Free Speech Union Settles Court Case
Following a legal battle between Hutt City Council and the Free Speech Union over the Council's censorship of inserts on Council sites, the parties have agreed to settle. The Council will make several public statements affirming its commitment to free speech, and its role as a gateway for information, not a gatekeeper, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. 'It is not the role of local councils to decide what ratepayers do and don't read. We took Hutt City Council and its Chief Executive, Jo Miller, to court when they refused to resolve the matter with us. Local ratepayers deserve better. 'The Hutt City Council removed a paid advertisement insert by the New Zealand Centre for Political Research (NZCPR) from newspapers from all council sites. The insert was from 'Treaty of Waitangi – An Explanation' by Sir Āpirana Ngata and was published in 31 NZME and Stuff newspapers. 'However, we now welcome Hutt City Council's agreement to settle with us and their commitment to free speech and the right to impart and receive information and opinions as a critical part of our society. They've also acknowledged that if similar situations arise in the future, the Council would be likely to adopt a different approach. They've confirmed that the role of the local library is not to act as a gatekeeper of information, and that ratepayers should be free to access information. 'Local councils around the country should take note. They can't pick and choose when Kiwis' speech rights apply. Ratepayers not only deserve, but also have a right, to decide whether to engage with content or not. Local councils must respect this.'
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Free Speech Union Welcomes NZME Board Refresh, A Hopeful Sign For Media Balance
Press Release – Free Speech Union This change promises a return to more factual reporting if the Board can restore the traditional journalistic ethics of the fourth estate. The announcement of NZME's board refresh signals hope for a return to more balanced reporting of news, which is an essential component of a healthy democracy. The Free Speech Union was pleased to play an advocacy role in this, says Nick Hanne of the Free Speech Union. 'Last year, the Free Speech Union urged supporters concerned about free and open discourse to get enough NZME shares to gain voting rights. FSU CEO Jonathan Ayling encouraged experienced people to put themselves forward for NZME board positions. 'The Free Speech Union has repeatedly called on NZME to stop censoring those views which appear to be offensive to certain staff and their stifling need to be 'politically correct'. The FSU also arranged meetings with the Managing Director and the Senior Editor, urging a restoration of the fundamental balance needed for the NZ Herald to stay a newspaper of record. 'We reminded them of how the Commerce Commission turned down their merger with Stuff, because the loss of media pluralism would be so damaging to democracy. We welcome the appointments of Steven Joyce and Jim Grenon on the NZME board and believe they'll play a crucial role in fixing this. 'Mr Grenon has weathered a lot of unjust criticism in pursuing this 'audacious' outcome. But his principled determination to defend broad viewpoint representation will help reestablish the centrality of free speech in our democracy. 'The media plays a crucial role in Kiwis' ability to seek, receive, and impart information, so it's essential that they platform multiple viewpoints on issues of public interest. This change promises a return to more factual reporting if the Board can restore the traditional journalistic ethics of the fourth estate. 'Kiwis deserve news which offers coverage rather than censorship.'
