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Right to offend a sign of a healthy society – by Paul Moon

April 4, 2017 by SPCS Leave a Comment

A vibrant society permits heretic views to be expressed””, says Paul Moon, [Professor of History at the Faculty of Maori Development at Auckland University of Technology] in this Opinion Piece from The Dominion Post, Tuesday, (4 April 2017}, p. A 7.

A plea for free speech in our universities might seem about as unnecessary as a demand that all people be treated equally under the law.

After all, the Education Act asserts clearly the right of academics to speak as critics and consciences of society – supposedly securing universities as bastions of independent thought and open expression.

Yet, recent events at home and overseas are endangering freedom of speech at our universities.

Threats against minority communities in New Zealand, and in other Western countries, and terrorist attacks in Europe are having a chilling effect. A recent study of 115 British universities found only seven had not experienced some sort of censorship, ban or intervention which curbed free speech.

The right to free speech is so ingrained in New Zealand’s ethos that today a diverse group of 27 high-profile New Zealanders has released an open letter warning of “the forceful silencing of dissenting or unpopular views” on our university campuses.

Its signatories include not only academics, and business and community leaders, but some of our most outspoken commentators, including Sir Bob Jones, Dr Don Brash, Sir Geoffrey Palmer and Dame Turiana Turia.

Of course, with rights come with responsibilities. Freedom of speech must have some constraints; that’s why it is a crime to incite hatred and violence. And damaging someone’s reputation – outside the privileged protection provided at universities and Parliament – can end in a defamation suit.

Just as the courts and the media must always jealously guard freedom of speech from state controls, so must our universities.

The pretext of avoiding offence is regularly hauled out as the basis for curtailing free speech on campuses. If a group is offended by an idea or argument, it is increasingly – and misguidedly – believed it is better to ban or “disinvite” the causers rather than ruffle sensitivities or risk the speaker being drowned out by vigorous protest.

This patronising sanctimony continues to gain ground along with an absurd notion that universities should provide intellectual “safe-spaces”.

There is no inalienable right not to be offended. It is paradoxical that those who clamour for such “safe spaces” often seem untroubled by the intimidation being used to shut down unpopular speech.

It is precisely these intellectually dangerous or subversive spaces that academics and students must enter and explore. Political dissent, artistic deviance and intellectual rebellion are at the heart of a healthy and progressive society, and universities have tradtionally played a leading role in challenging conventions and ushering in new ways of thinking and doing. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Censorship, Censorship & New Technology Tagged With: "hate" speech, free speech, freedom of expression, hate speech law, Paul Moon, Professor Paul Moon

‘Hate speech’ law draws opposition – Dominion Post Report

April 4, 2017 by SPCS Leave a Comment

Twenty-seven high-profile New Zealanders, including unilikely allies such as Don Brash and Dame Tariana Turia, have penned an open letter warning that freedom of speech is under threat at the country’s universities.

The campaign which was the brainchild of Auckland University of Technology history professor Paul Moon, rejects “the forceful silencing of dissenting or unpopular views” on tertiary campuses.

It also insists debate must not be suppressed because the ideas put forth “are thought by some or even by most people to be offensive, immoral, or wrong-headed”.

The move comes after an Auckland University group called the European Students Association was closed down after threats to its members amid accusations of racism. Its leaders had denied the club was racist.

The letter also follows Human Rights Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy’s February call for a review of online hate speech, and Police Commissioner Mike Bush suggesting an examination of the pros and cons of specific crime.

The open letter has been signed by academics, business leaders, community representatives and controversial commentators including Sir Bob Jones, former prime minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Maori educationist Sir Toby Curtis, poet Albert Wendt and former MP Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

Moon said freedom of speech was the foundation of a modern diverse and democratic society. It protected religious freedom and individual expression.

“Kneejerk calls from police and the Human Right Commission to introduce hate-speech laws after recent attacks on ethnic communities will have the unintended consequence of suppressing free speech. Education, open debate and understanding will change racist and intolerant views – not censorship,” he said.

Freedom of speech was intimately connected with freedom of thought. “There is no inalienable right not to be offended. It is dangerous and wrong to silence someone because you take offence or don’t like what they say. Of course, there are limits; that is why inciting hatred or violence is already a crime.”

The current law was working well, he added. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Censorship, Censorship & New Technology, Other Tagged With: "hate" speech, free speech, freedom of expression, Paul Moon

Militant euthanasia arm planned for New Zealand

January 19, 2017 by SPCS Leave a Comment

An Australian euthanasia advocate is vowing to set up a new militant arm of his organisation in New Zealand to import large quantities of lethal drugs.

Exit International director Philip Nitschke said his members were fed up with politicians’ inaction, and would set up ExitAction as a shamelessly criminal group similar to the Aids drug-buying group portrayed in the movie Dallas Buyers Club.

“This is not something you beg for. This is something you take,” Nitschke said.

It would mean that people wanting to take their own lives would not have to import euthanasia drugs illegally and – as happened earlier this year – receive visits from police.

“We are not going to sit around for another decade while politicians wax and wane [on legalising euthanasia],” he said from Amsterdam.

When ExitAction was announced internationally earlier this month, Nitschke put out a statement saying access to euthanasia drugs was a right of all competent adults, “regardless of sickness or permission from the medical profession”.

Exit members are believed to be concerned that the Government position could change under new Prime Minister Bill English, who is Catholic and a known opponent of voluntary euthanasia.

His wife Mary, a Wellington GP, told a health sub-committee hearing on the subject last month that legalising euthanasia would create ethical issues for doctors.

“A core principle has been that we do not kill our patients.”

She repeatedly referred to pro-euthanasia laws by the acronym “MAD”, or medically assisted dying. “It would be unsafe for those at risk of suicide.”

A spokesman for the prime minister said on Wednesday that the Government’s position had not changed.

“It remains the Government’s position that euthanasia is a conscience issue.

“As the prime minister has said, he does not personally support euthanasia, but would not stand in the way of members voting according to their conscience, should a member’s bill on the matter be drawn.

“A select committee is also currently considering a petition on the matter and is due to report back next year.

“Any New Zealanders considering illegally importing controlled substances should be aware there are consequences for doing so.”

Voluntary Euthanasia Society (VES) president Maryan Street currently has a 8974-strong petition asking Parliament to investigate legislation that would permit medically assisted dying, in the event of terminal illness or an irreversible condition that made life unbearable.

She said on Wednesday that Exit’s plans were “completely outside the area of activity that my organisation is involved in”.

Police said: “The legislation regarding voluntary euthanasia is a matter for Government.

“However, the importation of controlled drugs, along with aiding and abetting suicide, remain serious offences in New Zealand and police will take appropriate steps when we become aware of allegations regarding these offences.”

by Tom Hunt. Reporter Dominion Post. Thursday, December 15, 2016

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Four go on trial following million-dollar collapse of finance companies

August 8, 2016 by SPCS Leave a Comment

Four businessmen have gone on trial charged with a raft of Financial Markets Authority charges in relation to two finance companies that collapsed, owing investors more than $17 million.

Paul Bublitz and his co-defendants Richard Blackwood, Bruce McKay and Lance Morrison have denied charges of theft by a person in a special relationship, making false statements to a trustee, and false statements by a promoter.

Co-accused Peter Chevin was also charged and on Monday morning pleaded guilty to 10 charges of theft by person in a special relationship. He will be sentenced in September.

Two companies associated with the defendants, Mutual Finance and Viaduct Capital, collapsed in 2010 owing investors $9.3 million and $7.8m respectively.

The judge-alone trial began in the High Court at Auckland on Monday.

Crown prosecutor David Johnstone told Justice Mark Woolford that "the essence" of the Crown case was that Bublitz acquired and used the two finance companies to support his various property investments, and was assisted by his co-accused.

"In the course of Mr Bublitz’s conduct, the Crown submits that the defendants deliberately misled investors and potential investors by failing to disclose a series of related party transactions," Johnstone said. 

Bublitz, a former property developer, was described as being left "asset rich but cash poor" following the fallout of the Global Financial Crises in 2007.

His property assets were held in two groups, Hunter Capital and Hunter Property, which had various projects across Auckland including a development at Silverdale, north of Auckland.

Full story by Kelly Dennett published August 8 2016

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/82925102/four-go-on-trial-following-milliondollar-collapse-of-finance-companies

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Study reveals online abuse of women

July 21, 2016 by SPCS Leave a Comment

Almost three-quarters of Kiwi women under 30 have experienced some form of online bullying, a new survey claims.

The survey of 500 women shows threats of physical violence, death, rape and sexual assault are just some of the things they have been subjected to.

The majority of the harassment reported was of a sexual nature, with one in 10 women experiencing graphic sexual harassment, according to the survey, published by internet security company Norton by Symantec.

For full story go to: http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/social-networking/82294142/survey-reveals-large-number-of-kiwi-women-abused-online

Also see: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/25/yvette-cooper-leads-cross-party-campaign-against-online-abuse

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