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'We're for more speech': Free Speech Union criticises 'censorship' in schools

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 25 Sept 2025, 6:45pm
Charlie Kirk. Photo / Getty Images
Charlie Kirk. Photo / Getty Images

'We're for more speech': Free Speech Union criticises 'censorship' in schools

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 25 Sept 2025, 6:45pm

There's growing push-back on the idea that children should be censored at school, as extremism spreads.

PPTA members are seeing misogyny spread through the classroom, and they're putting it down to a 'toxic online culture of masculinity'.

The union wants to make addressing online extremism an official policy, and is calling for Government action.

Free Speech Union CEO Jillaine Heather says it's hard to stop children picking up new ideas different to their parents' views.

"What you want to do, if you disagree with those ideas, is engage with them. Engage in counter-speech, dismantle the ideas, test them, get them to bring their receipts. You can't censor those ideas, surely."

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