Strypey#JonathanAyling gives a fairly nuanced perspective on the free speech implications of calls to censure Prof Joanna Kidman, for her comments about the NatACTs' dopey Boot Camps.
In a nutshell, he says that as an academic her employer should be tireless in its defence of her freedom of expression. But in her role as a ministerial advisor, a non-partisan approach to public comment is called for;
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018929074/free-speech-advocate-on-professors-social-media-posts
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Free speech advocate on professors social media posts
A free speech advocate says a professor who described the Government as a "death cult" on a social media platform, should be allowed to make those comments, but should expect consequences if she does so - but not from the university that employs her. Professor Joanna Kidman, who is a director for a publicly funded, but independent anti-extremism centre, asked in a post on X "is this a government or a death cult?", in response to the Government's military-style academies for young offenders. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet says it's conveyed its concerns about the comments to Victoria University. Professor Kidman has not responded to RNZ's requests for comment. Free Speech Union chief executive Jonathan Ayling spoke to Corin Dann.