Latest news with #FreeSpeechUnion
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Rachel Zegler's Evita faces backlash over trigger warnings – But critics miss the point
Rachel Zegler's West End revival of Evita has drawn criticism for including a trigger warning about 'loud music and sudden noises' — but much of the backlash reflects a misunderstanding of what trigger warnings are actually for. The production at the London Palladium, which stars Zegler, 24, in her UK stage debut, has already faced criticism for the decision to have Zegler perform a key number on a balcony while the audience watches a live feed video. Now, it's facing even more backlash for warning audiences about the use of loud music, sudden noises, strobe lighting, flashing lights, and haze in the production. Zegler plays the titular role of Eva Perón in Sir Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber's beloved musical, which follows the story of Perón as she rises to political power in Latin America. Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union, said: 'Warning fans of musical theatre that they may hear loud music and sudden noises is beyond parody. Just how stupid do theatre owners think their customers are?' He continued to The Telegraph: 'I cannot imagine someone who's paid £350 for a pair of tickets to Evita complaining that it contains loud music. They'd be more likely to complain if it didn't.' Trigger warnings, which have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, aim to alert audiences to potentially upsetting or harmful material they may wish to avoid or prepare themselves to engage with. Young is not the only one to have spoken out against trigger warnings. Actor Ralph Fiennes told BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: 'I think we didn't use to have trigger warnings. I mean, there are very disturbing scenes in Macbeth, terrible murders and things. 'But I think the impact of theater should be that you're shocked and you should be disturbed. I don't think you should be prepared for these things and when I was young, never had trigger warnings for shows.' Sir Ian McKellan agrees with Fiennes' perspective, telling Sky News when he was in Frank and Percy on the West end: 'Outside theaters and in the lobbies, including this one, the audience is warned 'there is a loud noise and at one point, there are flashing lights,' 'there is reference to smoking,' 'there is reference to bereavement.' I think it's ludicrous. I quite like to be surprised by loud noises and outrageous behavior on stage.' But these perspectives reflect a common misconception about trigger warnings: They are not about coddling audiences or spoiling artistic intent – they are about providing individuals, especially those with past trauma, the informed choice to engage with difficult content on their own terms. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video As Reddit user LadyDisdain555 writes in a thread about the issue: 'Trigger warnings aren't to prevent offence. They're safety precautions in case someone's trauma responses are activated by the content. They're literally there to allow people to protect themselves, while also trying to keep free expression alive.' Many don't understand that trigger warnings are not just about mental health. If, for example, you suffer from epilepsy and flashing lights can bring on your seizures, the use of trigger warnings in stage productions allows you to check beforehand if you might be at risk. Additionally, to equate emotional surprise with artistic value assumes a universal audience experience, ignoring the fact that for some, unanticipated depictions of violence, bereavement, or abuse can cause real psychological distress, not just momentary discomfort. Far from undermining art, trigger warnings create a more inclusive space where everyone can participate safely, and real people are benefiting. Reddit user the_pleiades wrote in a thread about the Game of Thrones spin off House of the Dragon: 'Honestly, the trigger warning in season 1 of House of Dragon about miscarriage/pregnancy loss was very helpful for me to mentally prepare and make sure I was ready to watch something traumatic that I personally experienced and hadn't fully processed.' There are also numerous examples of the negative outcomes that can result from a lack of trigger warnings. Saving Private Ryan, the classic 1998 film about World War II, is a famous example. The Omaha Beach landing scene in the film was so accurate that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs had to set up a toll-free hotline within the first three days of the film's release to help World War II veterans who were triggered by it. More Trending In fact, a spokesperson at the time issued a statement to The Deseret Sun, that read: 'Counselors at VA medical facilities have been asked to prepare to assist veterans who experience emotional trauma as a result of the movie.' The Department of Veterans Affairs later reported that the hotline received hundreds of calls from deeply distressed veterans. If you don't like trigger warnings because you think they're condescending or 'ruin the surprise,' don't look at them. Most theatres only include them in the programme for the show, with a few stating them on a subtle sign in the lobby. Even if trigger warnings are unavoidable, is 'spoiling' a surprise really too high a price to pay for making theatre more inclusive and accessible? Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: New car-free streets in London 'just the beginning' of summer business boost MORE: Controversial Snow White remake finally hits Disney+ and fans are split MORE: Rachel Zegler's West End debut sparks controversy over shock move
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Fresh woke madness as new film about F1 ace Jenson Button slapped with trigger warning for bizarre reason
A NEW film featuring ex-F1 driver Jenson Button has trigger warnings for 'spins and crashes'. 2 2 Rated 12, it has four warnings from the British Board of Film Classification. One caution reads: 'Cars crash and spin during motor races. "Archive footage includes a brief and undetailed sight of an explosion. 'There is a fleeting scene of a punch to the face.' A further warning is for 'infrequent strong language'. Lord Toby Young, of the Free Speech Union, said: 'Crashes and spins are why fans are watching.' The Freedom Association's Tim Scott added: 'These increasingly ridiculous trigger warnings should not be treating fans like fools.' The BBFC said: 'In 2023 85 per cent of caregivers told us our content advice is useful for everyone.'
Kiwiblog
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Kiwiblog
Guest Post: Silenced for exposing foreign interference in NZ? Surely not.
A guest post by Nice Hanne of the Free Speech Union: I saw this for myself last Friday in the Manukau District Court when I went to support Portia Mao on behalf of the Free Speech Union. Don't let Portia's appearance or gentle demeanour fool you. This pint-sized Kiwi-Chinese journalist isn't backing down to anyone or anything. Portia is a fierce defender of free speech. Coming to NZ over twenty years ago in search of a democratic society to call home, Portia has earned a reputation amongst the NZ Chinese community for her uncompromising stand against foreign interference by the Communist Party of China (CCP). Exposing the increasingly brazen intimidation tactics and influence peddling in NZ politics by emboldened supporters of the CCP, some dissidents have already paid a heavy price for calling out this anti-democratic agenda. Last year it was Portia's turn. As a result of working with journalists at Stuff to expose CCP influence in NZ, Portia was shocked to find herself subject to a District Court interim order after she criticised an aspiring East Auckland political candidate for his strident pro-CCP views. Prevented by law from speaking out about the issue and unsure how to challenge the judge's interim order, Portia reached out to the Free Speech Union for help. We connected Portia with Callum Fredric (a fantastic Auckland-based barrister who really cares about this cause). We shared Portia's story with you – our supporters – as well as with the media. And we began a fundraising drive to support Portia's legal challenge. Many of you contributed with donations and messages of support which allowed Portia last month to challenge the court order in a bid to have it overturned. How could a NZ journalist be silenced in this way under NZ law? Portia was targeted using a poorly drafted law. The Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA), passed in 2015 (and originally designed to protect vulnerable young people from online harm) is now being appropriated by cynical adults to suppress legitimate political expression from their critics. To be clear, being punished under the HDCA is not the same thing as defamation. Rather, the HDCA is concerned with subjective claims of 'harm' – this means that truth is not a valid defence. The HDCA is an almost-perfect political censorship tool. It allows authoritarian sympathisers and potential agents of foreign governments to silence Kiwis who dare to speak up for democracy. It then also threatens heavy financial penalties for those organisations, such as news or social media platforms, which share the journalist's work. Yep, you're reading that right. In our rush to protect kids from horrible online influences we've somehow denied our society not only a fundamental civil liberty, but its best defensive weapon against foreign interference. Handing a club to the opponents of democracy; should we really be surprised they're bludgeoning us over the head with it? The HDCA is also a radical departure from traditional legal principle in that it allows for the emotional subjectivity of a complainant to substantiate their own claim that 'harm' has been caused. Just so we're clear, this means that to establish whether certain digital communications deserve censoring, all that is required is for a self-proclaimed victim to strenuously maintain the digital communication in question was 'grossly offensive' to them. No specialist or clinical expert is even needed to endorse this self-diagnosis. What can Kiwis do about this problem? We need more Kiwis to realise what's going on. We're now waiting for a decision in Portia's case from the judge, and as soon as we have it we'll be sure to publicize it. But her case is not the only example of this kind. We have evidence to suggest that dozens of similar abuses of the HDCA have occurred but have largely gone unreported. Not only is the FSU campaigning for legislative reform of the HDCA, but we're also calling on – and calling out – those in positions of power who aren't saying or doing anything about the foreign interference Portia is trying to combat. Because if those people in charge are too afraid, how can we expect anyone else to speak up? Many politicians have chosen to remain quiet. Either intimidated or simply hoping they can wish away the problem, many are nervous about upsetting a major trading partner. This issue is not your run-of-the-mill 'ambiguous ethics of trade' dilemma. This is political interference happening on NZ soil. Apparently, it's easier for some to forget that free speech – not a free trade agreement – is the lifeblood of a democracy. Free speech allows our nation to flourish domestically and empowers us to exercise independence from the unprincipled and often ruthless whims of authoritarian governments like that of China. We can't leave a few brave souls to fight this situation by themselves. A small principled voice, though mighty like Portia's, will not be enough to combat the growing influence of foreign and domestic voices, however, even in a small country, will make it loud and clear to those who interfere in our democracy that free speech in NZ is non-negotiable. UPDATE: The FSU won the court case. Yay.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Huge Victory For Free Speech: Journalist Gagged For Exposing Chinese Communist Party Interference In NZ Wins Court Case
Press Release – Free Speech Union The Free Speech Union is embarking on extensive work to thoroughly review the HDCA, analysing all decisions ever made under it, and will present this to the Minister of Justice later in the year. We cannot stand by while individuals like Portia are … Portia Mao, a Kiwi-Chinese journalist who was gagged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA) for exposing foreign interference in New Zealand, has won her court case with the Free Speech Union's help. This is a major victory, not just for Portia, but for all Kiwis' speech rights, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. 'We're thrilled that Portia Mao, represented by the Free Speech Union, has won her court case and is no longer gagged by New Zealand law after calling out the Chinese Communist Party's overreach in New Zealand. This is excellent news for all Kiwis. 'CCP stooge, Morgan Zhihong Xiao, sought interim orders under the HDCA against Portia Mao, alleging online defamation and harassment. The initial orders (granted without notice!) required Portia to remove online commentary and apologise. With the FSU's representation, Portia applied to be heard and have the orders discharged. Judge McIlraith ruled in Portia's favour. 'The Court also rightly warned against weaponising legal tools to silence criticism, especially in political debate. The HDCA, while created with good intentions, has been weaponised now in a number of cases to silence dissent. 'Portia's victory is a huge step in pushing back on this flawed law. It was also essential for ensuring criticising foreign powers remains a legal right in New Zealand. If governments, foreign or not, can twist our own law to stop us from exposing them, then we are not free. 'The Free Speech Union is embarking on extensive work to thoroughly review the HDCA, analysing all decisions ever made under it, and will present this to the Minister of Justice later in the year. We cannot stand by while individuals like Portia are unjustly silenced. 'When a brave journalist is gagged for putting their neck on the line in our country, alarm bells should ring. Portia's victory was made possible by the thousands of Kiwis who support our work, and this result is the best outcome to protect all Kiwis' rights to seek, receive, and impart information.'
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Huge Victory For Free Speech: Journalist Gagged For Exposing Chinese Communist Party Interference In NZ Wins Court Case
Press Release – Free Speech Union The Free Speech Union is embarking on extensive work to thoroughly review the HDCA, analysing all decisions ever made under it, and will present this to the Minister of Justice later in the year. We cannot stand by while individuals like Portia are … Portia Mao, a Kiwi-Chinese journalist who was gagged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA) for exposing foreign interference in New Zealand, has won her court case with the Free Speech Union's help. This is a major victory, not just for Portia, but for all Kiwis' speech rights, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. 'We're thrilled that Portia Mao, represented by the Free Speech Union, has won her court case and is no longer gagged by New Zealand law after calling out the Chinese Communist Party's overreach in New Zealand. This is excellent news for all Kiwis. 'CCP stooge, Morgan Zhihong Xiao, sought interim orders under the HDCA against Portia Mao, alleging online defamation and harassment. The initial orders (granted without notice!) required Portia to remove online commentary and apologise. With the FSU's representation, Portia applied to be heard and have the orders discharged. Judge McIlraith ruled in Portia's favour. 'The Court also rightly warned against weaponising legal tools to silence criticism, especially in political debate. The HDCA, while created with good intentions, has been weaponised now in a number of cases to silence dissent. 'Portia's victory is a huge step in pushing back on this flawed law. It was also essential for ensuring criticising foreign powers remains a legal right in New Zealand. If governments, foreign or not, can twist our own law to stop us from exposing them, then we are not free. 'The Free Speech Union is embarking on extensive work to thoroughly review the HDCA, analysing all decisions ever made under it, and will present this to the Minister of Justice later in the year. We cannot stand by while individuals like Portia are unjustly silenced. 'When a brave journalist is gagged for putting their neck on the line in our country, alarm bells should ring. Portia's victory was made possible by the thousands of Kiwis who support our work, and this result is the best outcome to protect all Kiwis' rights to seek, receive, and impart information.'
