Today’s Herald on Sunday quotes Labour MP Ashraf Choudhary calling for Âan agency capable of punishing the media for attacks on minoritiesÂ.
Mr Choudhary also said “when freedom of speech becomes a tool to attack others and their beliefs and people feel discouraged, under attack, demeanedÂthen something has to be done. ItÂs no licence to go and verbally kill other people.”
Mr Choudhary should realise that NZ already has such a body-its called the Human Rights Commission. Its already one of this country’s biggest threats to free speech. Does Mr Choudhary want to give it even more powers?
Coming on top of Helen Clark’s attack on the Press and Dominion Post for publishing the “Muhammad” cartoons, Mr Choudhary’s conceived outburst shows just how much Labour cares about protecting our freedoms.
The “cartoons” saga will increase the calls for “Hate Speech” legislation in this country.
While in no way under-emphasising the the dangers of Islamic radicalism, I actually think the Clark government actually poses a more immediate threat to our freedom.
Hat Tip Rodney Hide
i think it is an “offence”, i swore at a lady once in public and the officer asked her if she’d like to press charges
Is verbally abusing somebody really an offense? Does that apply to sledging? Shouting abuse at a referee? The other team? Really?
Gosh there must be a lot of unpunished crims walking about.
Free speech is only really about the right to say offensive or unpleasent things. Nobody will give a toss if you want to say something nice.
well is what the cartoons doing any different from, for example, me saying to you in person “fuck you Trevor”? they’re intended to offend, just as is verbally abusing someone, which is actually a punishable offence
Wasn’t it offensive for him to say that the Koran is right in saying that homosexuals should be stoned?
Go to hell Choudhary. Tell me this guy isn’t worse than the Destiny types.