Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps "Should We Ban Hate Speech After Bondi?" with Andrew Lowenthal
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Jan 16, 2026 Andrew Lowenthal, a journalist and digital activist, dives into the heated discussions surrounding hate speech laws in Australia following the Bondi terror attack. He critiques the backlash against multiculturalism and censorship, particularly regarding the cancellation of pro-Palestinian authors at writers’ festivals. The conversation touches on the paradox of free speech versus cancellation hypocrisy, the role of public funding in artistic expressions, and the risks of radicalization tied to degraded discourse. A thought-provoking exploration of identity and the future of speech in a diverse society!
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Debate Sparked By Bondi Attack
- Australia is debating hate speech, gun control, and cancellation in the wake of the Bondi attack.
- These issues connect to broader questions of free speech and national identity, Josh Szeps notes.
Religion As A Dangerous Category
- Proposed hate speech laws would criminalize vilification based on race and ethnicity.
- Andrew Lowenthal warns expanding categories to religion would become de facto blasphemy laws.
Adelaide Festival Boycott And Collapse
- The Adelaide Writers' Festival collapsed after invitees boycotted when a Palestinian-Australian writer was uninvited.
- The cancellation sparked resignations and debates about hypocrisy and free speech.