Stopping Taxpayers’ Union and Hobson’s Pledge from spreading disinformation hate isn’t a free speech issue
The Taxpayers’ Union and Hobson’s Pledge have both had their misinformation adverts pulled from the NZ Herald, the hysteria this is generating amongst the astro-turf Free Speech Union and Taxpayer’s Union is glorious.
Feast on their snowflake tears…
Hi Martyn,
This note is longer than usual, but a really important issue to do with the Taxpayers’ Union’s ability to do its job and communicate with the public.
I know a lot of New Zealanders are concerned about media ‘bias’ or capture. It’s become clear that it’s now affecting not just newsrooms, but the advertising arms of our large media companies – almost all of whom take taxpayer money. We think the only solution is a Parliamentary Bill to stop editorial preference being applied to paid advocacy or political advertising. We are fundraising so we can instruct our lawyers to draft a bill and to campaign for MPs to pass it.
They went for Hobson’s Pledge, now the Taxpayers’ Union is having ads censored
As a result of the brouhaha about the “one law for all” group, Hobson’s Pledge, placing an advertisement in the NZ Herald, the ability of the Taxpayers’ Union to book advertising with NZ’s largest newspaper company – and speak directly to the public on matters the media aren’t necessarily covering – is under threat.
…stopping Taxpayers’ Union and Hobson’s Pledge from spreading misinformation and disinformation in the NZ Herald is NOT a freedom of speech issue, it’s an advertising issue.
Advertising is covered by a standard, these adverts do not meet the standard.
It’s funny that there is more regulation in the adverts the NZ Herald can use vs the toxic copy they publish!
Attempting to claim this is a Free Speech issue shows what easily triggered snowflakes the Taxpayers’ Union and Hobson’s Pledge have suddenly become because they can’t get their subjective falsehoods published in the paper and just have to rely on the editorial instead.
Boo hoo.
This isn’t Free Speech, it’s Paid Speech and the Taxpayers’ Union and Hobson’s Pledge don’t have a leg to stand on.
And the anti-gun rhetoric spewed out everywhere in the media isn’t misinformation?
@Erik
No.
Because if it’s in the media, it must be true?
No, because we can assess whether it’s true or not. You asked a question, and you were given an answer. It’s not misinformation. Just because your feelings are hurt and you feel like it’s misinformation doesn’t make it so.
Similarly, the nonsense spewed by the likes of TPU and FSU can be assessed. And in that case it’s often demonstrable misinformation. Again, because you like what they say or feel happy about it, doesn’t make it true … Hope that’s clear for you.
I see one of your mates has been caught supplying gangs from gun city which I said was happening all along .
My mate? People like that do us no service and it is good to see them prosecuted.
It’s all pretty reasonable stuff. If you don’t have a bunch of uncontrolled guns available in the community for unvetted nuts then you don’t have gang drivebys, guy suicides, suicide by cop, skitzo massacres, terrorist massacres. Fortunately NZ hasn’t had a school shooting because AR15s aren’t available to school kids here.
Enjoy this spewed rhetoric
https://youtu.be/0rR9IaXH1M0?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/a9UFyNy-rw4?feature=shared
Didn’t think anyone read the herald very much these days, and advertising on these platforms I would’ve thought would be a waste of money.
The herald loses here.
The left hate them for running the advertisement, now the right hate them for playing political games.
They were happy to run union attack ads against Luxon in the election.
Another nail in the coffin of a failing entity.
The line ZB Trolls like KeepCalm are using is a false one.
Hobsons Pledge and Taxpayers’ Union were spreading misinformation – the Union advert turned out to be completely true
The so-called ‘Taxpayers Union’ is a terrorist organization advocating the interests of international bankers. All involved should be in jail.
Whereas Hamas are an organization only focused on the safety, welfare & wellbeing of all humankind, and the reuniting of lost puppies with their owners?
Advertising is an ugly feature of capitalist society. Ideally we would not have it at all, and the media would cover all issues and points of view fairly and comprehensively. However that doesn’t happen and advertising remains a last resort for progressive, democratic and humanitarian voices when they are denied access to the news and opinion sections of the media. So the same arguments for allowing freedom of opinion in publishing and broadcasting content also apply in the realm of advertising. We are all safer in a publishing environment where any opinion can be put than we would be in one where either the state or private actors can censor content. Hobson’s Pledge are a bit of a joke really. They grievously mis-translate te reo Maori, come up with “facts” which are pure invention, and use a logic which would bring shame to a five year old. Banning their fatuous advertisements accords them a status they don’t deserve and makes their opponents lazy. Neither outcome can be good for us.