06/03/2022
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been accused of “misleading the public” in a disastrous radio interview defending a proposed hate speech law, which could see offenders jailed for three years for offensive words.
Under proposed legislative changes unveiled last week, hate speech could become a criminal offense in New Zealand. Anyone who “intentionally stirs up, maintains or normalizes hatred against a protected group” by being “threatening, abusive or insulting, including by inciting violence” would break the law, and hence could face up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to NZ$50,000 (US$35,182).
