After Christchurch, hate speech policy should focus on harm, not offence taken | David Bromell

There will always be idiots who shoot their mouths off - but in a democratic society we need to learn to live together

Hateful words can lead to hateful actions. They can also stir up others to do things we may or may not have intended to happen.

Following the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques on 15 March 2019 and the royal commission of inquiry that reported in November 2020, the New Zealand government intends to tighten up the law on hate speech. That may be a part solution to a complex social problem. Or it may be no solution at all, depending on what we mean by hate speech" and how any legislation is drafted, enacted and enforced.