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Free To Speak

Free Speech Union
Free Speech
New Zealand
Censorship
Hate Speech
Free Speech Union
Hate Speech Laws
Broadcasting Standards Authority
Freedom Of Expression
Internetnz
Hate Crime Laws
Education
Freedom Of Speech
Frank Kameny
Social Cohesion
Democracy
Civil Liberties
United States
Social Media
New Zealand Free Speech Union
Australia

Free to Speak is the New Zealand podcast that goes beyond headlines to explore the principles behind our most contentious debates.Produced by the New Zealand Free Speech Union, it examines freedom of expression and why it matters to a free and democratic society.Expect interviews with guests from New Zealand and around the world, plus deep dives with our Council into the cases and policy work shap... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes188Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPhilosophySociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for Free To Speak

Latest Episodes

We talk with Irish organiser Laszlo Manafi about why class-first socialism is clashing with the liberal left, and how that split shapes everything from campus politics to protest rights. We dig into Marxism as a way of analysing power, then trace why... more

We explore who gets to set the rules for online speech in New Zealand, from InternetNZ’s direction shift to the Broadcasting Standards Authority’s expanding remit. Dr David Harvey and Douglas Brown argue for reforms that protect freedom of expression... more

We sit down with Professor Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, to unpack Australia’s post-crisis push for tougher hate and extremism laws and what that signals for democratic debate. We dig into where international h... more

We argue that real free speech requires the courage to criticise the radicals on our own side without sliding into denunciation or cancellation. We test where open debate ends and coercion begins, from political correctness and taboo research to hate... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. David Harvey
Leading authority on Internet Law and Digital Communications; retired District Court Judge; author of Internet Law, New Zealand
University of Auckland (academic) / Free Speech Union context
Episode: When Safety Becomes Policy Who Guards Freedom Of Speech - Dr David Harvey & Douglas Brown
Douglas Brown
Canterbury-based barrister with over 20 years in criminal and regulatory law; Free Speech Union Council member; candidate for InternetNZ Board
Free Speech Union / Canterbury
Episode: When Safety Becomes Policy Who Guards Freedom Of Speech - Dr David Harvey & Douglas Brown
Ben Saul
Professor, University of Sydney; UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism
University of Sydney; United Nations
Episode: What Happens When “Promoting Hatred” Becomes A Crime - Professor Ben Saul UN Special Rapporteur
William McGimpsey
political commentator
Episode: If You Cannot Criticise Your Side, You Do Not Have Free Speech - William McGimpsey
Steven Franks
Chair; respected lawyer
New Zealand Free Speech Union
Episode: How A 1989 Broadcasting Law Became An Internet Speech Rule - with Steven Franks
Sarah McLaughlin
Senior scholar for FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression)
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)
Episode: The Conformity Crisis - Sarah McLaughlin On The Quiet Erosion Of Free Speech
Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull
Activist and organizer of Let Women Speak; critic of gender policy changes
Let Women Speak / Free Speech Union involvement
Episode: The Day Police Failed To Let Women Speak: Posie Parker On Albert Park 3 Years Later
Ani O'Brien
Council member, New Zealand Free Speech Union
New Zealand Free Speech Union
Episode: The Second COVID Inquiry - Ani O'Brien on Dissent & Censorship During Coronavirus
Forough Amin
Founder of Iranian Women in New Zealand; activist and NGO leader
Iranian Women in New Zealand
Episode: From Shah To Theocracy: An Iranian Activist’s Roadmap To Renewal - Dr Forough Amin

Host

Dane Giroux
Host of Free To Speak; Council Member, New Zealand Free Speech Union

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 57 ratings
  • If I could make one suggestion before you listen. Take 5 minutes to google the Free Speech Union, or Free Speech Alliance, The NZ Initiative, UK or Australia - add Tax Payers' Union to your search and then see if you're still interested in listening to anything these people have to say. If anything, it helps you put things into perspective.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    SpecialK
    2 years ago
  • A bunch of right wing twats.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    James
    3 years ago

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#103
New Zealand/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How A 1989 Broadcasting Law Became An Internet Speech Rule - with Steven Franks
Q: Why now, and has anything shifted in your view to justify action against online platforms?
He argues the Wellington professional class consensus is pushing for extending traditional broadcast rules to the internet, which could dampen free speech and escalate regulatory costs.
How A 1989 Broadcasting Law Became An Internet Speech Rule - with Steven Franks
Q: So, Steven, take it away. What are the implications here?
Franks explains the mismatch between a 1989 Broadcasting Act and today's internet, highlighting regulatory overreach and the challenge of applying broadcast standards to on-demand, online content.
The Day Police Failed To Let Women Speak: Posie Parker On Albert Park 3 Years Later
Q: This was your first event in New Zealand, wasn't it?
Yes, and there was a lot of planning with local allies, but everything escalated quickly due to police and security gaps, leading to an unprecedented level of disruption.
Greg Fleming MP: Te Reo, Politics and the Power of Listening
Q: Greg, can you tell us about your journey with Te Reo Māori?
Greg discusses how he began to learn Te Reo Māori after being encouraged by friends and the importance it holds in his political and personal life.
"The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything" with Prof Eric Heinze
Q: Why do you want human rights?
Human rights are foundational because they offer the greatest possibilities for overcoming systemic inequalities.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Free To Speak

What is Free To Speak about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The material showcases a show focused on free speech, regulatory policy, and civil liberties, anchored by conversations with legal scholars, practitioners, and advocacy figures. Episodes frequently explore how laws, regulatory bodies, and cultural norms shape what can be said online and in public life, often weighing safety against expression and highlighting real-world implications for journalists, academics, healthcare professionals, and activists. A standout trait is the sustained collaboration with the New Zealand Free Speech Union, bringing legal analysis, case studies, and policy critique to a broad audience. Listeners are likely drawn to rigorous debate about free speech, media regulation, and the balance between protecting vulnerabl... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Free To Speak?

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1. The Brendan O'Neill Show
2. Conversations with Peter Boghossian
3. The spiked podcast
4. The Leighton Smith Podcast
5. The Winston Marshall Show

How many episodes of Free To Speak are there?

Free To Speak launched 7 years ago and published 188 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Free To Speak?

Recent guests on Free To Speak include:

1. Dr. David Harvey
2. Douglas Brown
3. Ben Saul
4. William McGimpsey
5. Steven Franks
6. Sarah McLaughlin
7. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull
8. Ani O'Brien

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