muriel newman vtppminzcpdcom debating chamber forum index new zealand centre political research wwwnzcprcom nzcpr weekly undermining democracy issue nzcpr weekly examines fallout electionyear loss free speech printerfriendly version guest commentator karl du fresne finds political self interest underpins government attacks free speech weekly poll asks nzcpr readers think blame labours slide polls noticeboard features mid week politics interview john boscawen freedom speech including freedom criticise government always central healthy functioning democracy underlying principle democracy ultimate power rests people underlying virtue transition one administration another occurs quickly without bloodshed stark contrast dictatorships change measured generations rather years catalyst change revolution election week military regime pacific neighbour fiji used violence intimidation ongoing campaign silence public opposition newspaper publisher deported without warning publishing articles critical member interim government prime minister helen clark spoke serious threat media freedom fiji stating im concerned attempt shut freedom speech media also described disturbing turn events fact commissioner police warned public avoid criticising government ironic helen clarks comments defends freedom speech publics right criticise government fiji home done everything power silence criticism government crucial election year labour government support greens new zealand first passed electoral finance act christmas act effectively prevents public criticising government whole election year achieved firstly forcing anyone wants campaign government register state subject audits secondly intimidating breach act precise meaning far clear hefty fines imprisonment penalty provisions act search warrants issued computers files goods seized conviction illegal practice unwittingly exceeding spending limits carries maximum fine 40000 conviction corrupt practice knowingly exceeding spending limits carrying maximum fine 100000 two years jail penalties harsh human rights commission predicted would chilling effect public exactly happening reality different intimidation fiji helen clark protesting labours hypocrisy limited freedom speech provisions electoral finance act scored home goal deliberately trying avoid disclose secret donation spite claiming introducing act crack secret donations case interest would payable much publicised 100000 loan billionaire industrialist owen glenn conveniently forgotten labour party denied received donations seriously damaged credibility undermines entire need law change democratic governments become arrogant longer recognise hypocrisy voters usually decide time change thats latest political opinion polls indicate taking place helen clarks response fall polls blame new zealand herald deeply ironic one hand support free press fiji attack free press new zealand helen clark husband accused herald playing dirty heart criticism strong lead taken herald opposing electoral finance act yet fourth estate media stands fourth pillar free democracy alongside executive parliament judiciary acting watchdog government fearless defender free speech new zealands electoral commission explains way health representative democracy rests publics access crucial information first election campaign discover candidates promise elected second throughout governments term check whether keep promises media plays vital role passing information media link governed government maintained voters meet representatives person media increasingly media also seen effective watchdog government holding account actions karl du fresne freelance journalist former editor dominion weeks nzcpr guest commentator opinion piece free speech anyone karl observes new zealanders among freest citizens world terms right express entrenched supreme law americas first amendment right less real upheld promoted enlightened judges liberalminded politicians public servants ombudsman recognise democracy function without free speech given legislative force bill rights act 1990 holds everyone right seek receive impart information opinion kind form right constant insidious attack karl outlines various motivations given governments suppressing free speech concludes often real reason naked political self interest perhaps common reason suppressing free speech naked political selfinterest seen recently form electoral finance act strip away sophistry surrounding legislation left one stark fact fundamental act citizen democracy casting informed vote hedged thicket bewildering rules legally say election year politicians insist inhibit political discussion either naïve dishonest dont think naïve click sidebar link read karls article electoral finance act already claiming victims david moore young man ran dontvotelabour website forced remove face 10000 fine failing disclose home address site electoral commission deemed election advertisement engineering printing manufacturing union applied registration third party spend 120000 campaigning likely another victim affiliate labour party looks like application refused since third party registration permitted organisations involved administration affairs political party undoubtedly first many casualties last year john boscawen ardent opponent new law spent 150000 money campaigning electoral finance bill pledged continue campaign right election week nzcprs mid week politics features interview john asked passionate issue law wrong parliament ignored human rights commission electoral commission basic issue freedom speech bodies set protect rights ordinary new zealanders run state servants independent government government able override basic protection mechanisms unilateral way asked john outcome would like see result initiatives short term minimum changes need made act bring least partly line human rights commission electoral commission recommended human rights commission wanted restrictions free speech apply three months prior election electoral commission concluded effective campaign would likely cost 250000 300000 recommended maximum spending limit set higher end range setting maximum spending limit 120000 rather 250300000 restrictions apply full election year rather three months parliament ignored two independent bodies passed law unduly restricts right citizens finally asked john people oppose governments ban free speech help suspect one reasons mps pushed passed act believed new zealanders would soon forget happened would prepared sit back simply accept freedom taken need many people get help demonstrate true read full interview click week herald ran online poll asking whos blame labours fall polls reported 80 percent 3000 respondents believed labour blame polling troubles 16 percent blamed media 4 percent blamed national week ask nzcpr readers question think blame labours fall polls labour national media vote please click ps please dont forget nzcprs first electronic book treaty waitangi 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need submit one nzcpr commentary free speech anyone karl du fresne attempts sometimes made suppress free speech order avoid offending powerful friends case misguided attempt olympic officials prevent athletes talking see china clumsy diktat brought storm condemnation olympic committee forcing back encouraging sign crude attacks free speech arouse resentment even subtle ones go unnoticed read click click subscribe nbr free alerts cidimage014gif01c7a844ed724540for details click nzcpr update lcidimage014gif01c7a844ed724540poll results last weeks poll asked believe principles free choice alive well new zealand today results yes 5 95 read comments click see poll results lcidimage014gif01c7a844ed724540mid week politics read full interview john boscawen find hes fighting electoral finance act lcidimage014gif01c7a844ed724540spread word submit contact details would like receive complimentary newsletter wed 06 aug 2008 131927 1300 nzcprweekly undermining democracy