High Court Finds Electoral Commission Wrong On “Planet Key”
Press Release
Darren Watson & Jeremy Jones
The High Court has today delivered its judgment on the challenge brought by the makers of the satirical song and video
“Planet Key” against the Electoral Commission’s opinion that the song and video were "election advertisements" under the
Electoral Act and "election programmes" under the Broadcasting Act.
In a 76 page judgment, Justice Denis Clifford ruled comprehensively in favour of Watson and Jones. Significantly, he
held that the Electoral Commission’s interpretation of the legislation:
“would impose limits on the right of freedom of expression of the plaintiffs and New Zealand citizens more generally in
a manner which… cannot be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.”
Darren Watson and Jeremy Jones say they are delighted with the ruling, saying that it vindicates completely their sense
of grievance about Commission’s advice that Planet Key could not be lawfully broadcast, sold through i-Tunes, or posted
on the internet.
Watson and Jones’ lawyers say that the case upholds freedom of speech and protects the rights of artists to express
their personal political views.
Ends