We break down the Broadcasting Standards Authority’s claim that it can regulate online platforms under the Broadcasting Act 1989, even though Parliament never updated the law for the internet. We talk through why that change threatens open debate, why the standards are so subjective, and why we think this fight matters for free speech in New Zealand.
• the BSA asserting jurisdiction over online speech via an old statute
• why broadcast standards existed in a scarce spectrum era
• how the internet breaks the logic of compulsory audiences and balance rules
• the subjectivity of “good taste and decency” and why it becomes a power tool
• Tikanga flashpoints and the idea of modern “heresy trials”
• inconsistencies in targeting small outlets while excluding major platforms
• the practical mess of defining audiences and applying on-demand exceptions
• the chilling effect of complaints, process costs, and potential fines
• political and international risks if New Zealand is seen to censor platforms
• why we say we have to fight and what could come next
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and consider sharing the podcast with others. We release new episodes regularly, and subscribing is the easiest way to stay up to date. If you have any questions, feedback or suggestions, you can contact us at podcast at fsu.nz. If you want to find out more about the New Zealand Free Speech Union, visit fsu.nz.

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📌 Buy Tickets for Sarah's NZ Tour: https://www.fsu.nz/events/mclaughlin-tour

📅 Tour dates:

📍 Auckland - Sun 19 April
📍 Tauranga - Tue 21 April
📍 Wellington - Wed 22 April
📍 Christchurch - Thu 23 April
📍 Dunedin - Fri 24 April

We talk with Sarah McLaughlin from FIRE about why free speech threats spread across borders faster than most people notice, especially online. We dig into how self-censorship, “online safety” rules, and hate speech laws can shrink debate in universities and everyday life, including here in New Zealand.

• internet censorship and regulation crossing borders quickly
• young people bearing the brunt of speech control and pushing back
• universities self-censoring under pressure from foreign governments and funding
• why Europe and the UK matter for Kiwi free speech debates
• the UK Online Safety Act and spillover effects on global platforms
• under-16 bans, age verification, anonymity risks, and VPN crackdowns
• why hate speech laws can backfire and empower the wrong people
• defending a principle rather than defending a person

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and consider sharing the podcast with others. If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, you can contact us at podcast at fsu.nz. If you want to find out more about the New Zealand Free Speech Union, visit fsu.nz.

Support the show

https://www.fsu.nz/
https://x.com/NZFreeSpeech
https://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/
https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

We talk with Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (Posie Parker) about the Albert Park Let Women Speak event and the moments that turned a public talk into a violent crush-risk situation. We dig into what censorship looks like on the ground, why policing choices matter, and how fear makes ordinary people self-censor.

• why Kelly targets New Zealand as a case study for compliance and gender ideology
• efforts to stop the visit through visa pressure, hotel cancellations and security pull-outs
• the Albert Park layout, crowd size and the missing police plan
• the tomato soup incident and the surge that triggers violence
• the escape, the fear of being crushed and the delayed police response
• name suppression, justice system incentives and victim-blaming online
• institutional culture battles, including unisex changing spaces and workplace silencing
• rejecting guilt by association and making space for hard conversations

If you enjoy the show, subscribe for uncensored conversations and free speech news from New Zealand and beyond.

If you want to find out more about the New Zealand Free Speech Union visit fsu.nz

Support the show

https://www.fsu.nz/
https://x.com/NZFreeSpeech
https://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/
https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz