PLANET KEY Assist with legal challenge – support freedom of expression in New Zealand!

By Jeremy Jones

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This campaign was successful and closed on 16/09/2014 at 9:29 PM.

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PLANET KEY Assist With Legal Challenge – Support Freedom Of Expression In New Zealand!

Project 2014-08-29 19:57:14 +1200

Darren Watson and Jeremy Jones created the satirical song and video, respectively, for the song Planet Key. The song and video represent their creators' personal views about the cult of personality politics in New Zealand, and feelings about the current Prime Minister and governing political party. Both the song and video were entirely self-funded. Darren and Jeremy agreed to share any earnings from the song's sale on iTunes 50/50 to recoup something towards their time and costs. The song and video were released on 4 August 2014.

On 14 August 2014 the New Zealand Electoral Commission advised it considered the song and video were an "electoral programme" under the Broadcasting Act, and that playing the song on the radio or the video on TV would be unlawful except as part of a related news story. The Electoral Commission also stated that it considered the works were "electoral advertisements" requiring a "promoter statement" to be added, and that failure to do so could lead to prosecution by the NZ Police and a fine of up to $10,000.

Darren and Jeremy object to the suggestion that the video is an “election advertisement” and that they must attach a “promoter statement” to it in order to comply with the Electoral Act.  They feel aggrieved about the Commission's advice to broadcasters that their song and video should not be played at all to comply with the law as the Commission sees it. They consider their work to be satire in its purest form, and that the Electoral Commission's position threatens the rights of all New Zealanders to freely express their political views.  The rights to freedom of expression and to criticise the government are fundamental rights in a democratic society.

Through their lawyer, Darren and Jeremy asked the Electoral Commission to reconsider its stance, but the Commission has confirmed its original position. As a result Darren Watson and Jeremy Jones are challenging the Electoral Commission's position through the courts. The Hearing has been set for 11 September 2014 in the High Court at Wellington.

Darren and Jeremy's legal team are acting for them pro bono, in recognition of the important principles at stake in this case, so donations will not be used for lawyers'  fees.   However, litigation is an expensive business and there are other costs including filing costs, travel, accommodation and other out of pocket expenses which Darren and Jeremy are unable to finance on their own. Please help support this important cause and contribute to the fund!

Comments

Updates 1

Over halfway there!

04/09/2014 at 4:51 PM

A big thankyou to all who have contributed to this campaign. I want to extend a huge thankyou to our legal team who are representing us pro bono. We couldn't have hoped for a judicial review without their or all of your support. To the power of the people!

    Pledgers 65

    Anonymous pledger
    03/09/2014 at 8:29pm
    Anthony Britton
    03/09/2014 at 6:26pm
    Kevin Crossley
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    02/09/2014 at 5:53pm
    Peter Dasent
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    Eddie O'Strange
    02/09/2014 at 2:26pm
    Murray Olsen
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    Pete Matich
    02/09/2014 at 12:21pm
    Vince Cabrera
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    Jack Craw
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    02/09/2014 at 8:53am
    Anonymous pledger
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    02/09/2014 at 8:27am
    Sam Dawson
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    Ian Beardslee
    02/09/2014 at 7:55am
    Michael
    02/09/2014 at 6:55am
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    02/09/2014 at 1:13am
    Kevin Crossley
    01/09/2014 at 11:44pm
    Anonymous pledger
    01/09/2014 at 11:28pm
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    simon braxton
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    01/09/2014 at 10:35pm
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    01/09/2014 at 10:33pm

    Followers 18

    Followers of PLANET KEY Assist with legal challenge – support freedom of expression in New Zealand!

    PLANET KEY Assist With Legal Challenge – Support Freedom Of Expression In New Zealand!

    Project 2014-08-29 19:57:14 +1200

    Darren Watson and Jeremy Jones created the satirical song and video, respectively, for the song Planet Key. The song and video represent their creators' personal views about the cult of personality politics in New Zealand, and feelings about the current Prime Minister and governing political party. Both the song and video were entirely self-funded. Darren and Jeremy agreed to share any earnings from the song's sale on iTunes 50/50 to recoup something towards their time and costs. The song and video were released on 4 August 2014.

    On 14 August 2014 the New Zealand Electoral Commission advised it considered the song and video were an "electoral programme" under the Broadcasting Act, and that playing the song on the radio or the video on TV would be unlawful except as part of a related news story. The Electoral Commission also stated that it considered the works were "electoral advertisements" requiring a "promoter statement" to be added, and that failure to do so could lead to prosecution by the NZ Police and a fine of up to $10,000.

    Darren and Jeremy object to the suggestion that the video is an “election advertisement” and that they must attach a “promoter statement” to it in order to comply with the Electoral Act.  They feel aggrieved about the Commission's advice to broadcasters that their song and video should not be played at all to comply with the law as the Commission sees it. They consider their work to be satire in its purest form, and that the Electoral Commission's position threatens the rights of all New Zealanders to freely express their political views.  The rights to freedom of expression and to criticise the government are fundamental rights in a democratic society.

    Through their lawyer, Darren and Jeremy asked the Electoral Commission to reconsider its stance, but the Commission has confirmed its original position. As a result Darren Watson and Jeremy Jones are challenging the Electoral Commission's position through the courts. The Hearing has been set for 11 September 2014 in the High Court at Wellington.

    Darren and Jeremy's legal team are acting for them pro bono, in recognition of the important principles at stake in this case, so donations will not be used for lawyers'  fees.   However, litigation is an expensive business and there are other costs including filing costs, travel, accommodation and other out of pocket expenses which Darren and Jeremy are unable to finance on their own. Please help support this important cause and contribute to the fund!

    Comments

    Over halfway there!

    04/09/2014 at 4:51 PM

    A big thankyou to all who have contributed to this campaign. I want to extend a huge thankyou to our legal team who are representing us pro bono. We couldn't have hoped for a judicial review without their or all of your support. To the power of the people!

      Anonymous pledger
      03/09/2014 at 8:29pm
      Anthony Britton
      03/09/2014 at 6:26pm
      Kevin Crossley
      03/09/2014 at 3:02pm
      Anonymous pledger
      03/09/2014 at 1:35pm
      megan v
      03/09/2014 at 9:17am
      Bill Morris
      03/09/2014 at 7:52am
      SallyAnne
      02/09/2014 at 9:58pm
      Paul Garner
      02/09/2014 at 8:07pm
      Basia Mackenzie
      02/09/2014 at 5:53pm
      Peter Dasent
      02/09/2014 at 2:39pm
      Eddie O'Strange
      02/09/2014 at 2:26pm
      Murray Olsen
      02/09/2014 at 2:20pm
      Pete Matich
      02/09/2014 at 12:21pm
      Vince Cabrera
      02/09/2014 at 10:38am
      Jack Craw
      02/09/2014 at 10:02am
      Jeff Hickman
      02/09/2014 at 9:18am
      Alistair Fraser
      02/09/2014 at 8:53am
      Anonymous pledger
      02/09/2014 at 8:34am
      Simon
      02/09/2014 at 8:27am
      Sam Dawson
      02/09/2014 at 8:26am
      Ian Beardslee
      02/09/2014 at 7:55am
      Michael
      02/09/2014 at 6:55am
      Gary
      02/09/2014 at 1:13am
      Kevin Crossley
      01/09/2014 at 11:44pm
      Anonymous pledger
      01/09/2014 at 11:28pm
      Anonymous pledger
      01/09/2014 at 11:03pm
      simon braxton
      01/09/2014 at 10:58pm
      Carol Deegan
      01/09/2014 at 10:46pm
      Dave Hoppy
      01/09/2014 at 10:35pm
      Kylie Docherty
      01/09/2014 at 10:33pm

      Followers of PLANET KEY Assist with legal challenge – support freedom of expression in New Zealand!

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 16/09/2014 at 9:29 PM.