A previous article illuminated the conflict between the narrative given from John Campbell’s show with commissioner Meng Foon. The embarking of the “Dial It Down” campaign reports to be “aimed at de-escalating the hostility around Covid-19, amid passionate stances on aspects like vaccine mandates and lockdowns”.

Commissioner Meng Foon also stated that he asked New Zealanders to “dial down the rhetoric, the hate, the language that people use”.

The Daily Examiner reached out for comment from the Human Rights Commission to clarify the commissioner’s position:

The Daily Examiner: Does Commissioner Meng Foon hold the view that racism is a core or major component of the growing resentment and frustration being articulated online and offline, specifically concerning the “Dial It Down” campaign?

Human Rights Commission:

“The Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon’s comments come in the context of a) questions directed his way and b) research the Human Rights Commission carried out earlier in the year underlining that Tangata Whenua and Chinese communities in particular had experienced greater instances of discrimination during the Covid pandemic. The commissioner had also been made aware that there had been abuse targeted at Pacific communities at the beginning of the “Delta Outbreak” in August. However – Meng Foon’s portfolio as Race Relations Commissioner includes moves to boost ‘social cohesion and inclusion’ in Aotearoa New Zealand and it is in this light that he fronted the launch of the ‘Dial it Down’ campaign this month. The campaign is asking NZers from all backgrounds to respect people even if they disagree with their beliefs or positions when it comes to Covid-19. People have a right to express their opinions but the campaign asks that people do it with respect and acknowledge that everyone is human and a person who deserves to be treated with dignity. No matter whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, no matter people’s political persuasion or ethnicity, everyone deserves some sort of empathy. The campaign does not have a specific focus on race but it is an issue that is brought up occasionally.”

The Daily Examiner: Regarding the increase of complaints from approximately 200 to 700, is there an approximate percentage of those complaining about being treated unjustly due to government regulations? This would include direct government direction such as expansion of Section 11 powers, the ‘traffic light system’, mandating vax discrimination in hospitality sectors and indirect government influence, such as state-protected discrimination practices such as MIQ needs, retail vax pases, sporting and school needs?

Human Rights Commission:

“We do not have specific data yet on these complaints but we can tell you our Human Rights Information and Support Service has received hundreds of contacts related to covid over the past months. These have included:

• People exempt from wearing masks who are facing hostility when they attempt to access services
• Businesses with staff anxious about dealing with unmasked customers
• People complaining in strong language about the government response to the pandemic generally
• Many people who haven’t been vaccinated and are concerned about the impact of the traffic light system on their employment, access to services, and inclusion in society more broadly”

These two responses show an alarming conflict between Foon’s and Campbell’s narrative in the original article and the responses from the Human Rights Commission itself.

The narrative from Cambell, Foon and the article journalist appears to be that anti-mandate kiwis, often labelled as ‘anti-vax’ by media, politicians and those identified as far left, are those most guilty for the need to have the “Dial It Down” campaign.

But while Mr Campbell and commissioner Foon’s rhetoric of proclaiming “racism”, the HRC responses above clearly indicate that the vast majority of complaint increases are from those responding to suppressions, segregations, divisive language from the government itself.

I think the Human Rights Commission has given a more accurate response. In contrast, I believe that both Mr Campbell and commissioner Foon have given their honest opinion, if outside of accuracy.

And this is the most troubling question of all:

Suppose the state-funded commissioner Meng Foon and the state-supported Mr John Campbell push the false narrative that New Zealanders sending pleas for help to the HRC are guilty of ‘hatred’. Does this mean that speech has become acceptable only if the state accepts such? And what does this mean for New Zealand society, now or in the future?

Look out for presenter Elliot Ikilei who will soon be posting a report on Mr Campbell’s “Anger, Anxiety & Us” special.