In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon discusses topics including former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara's candidacy for Te Pāti Māori, raising concerns about media neutrality when reporters join radical political parties. Simon also critiques a New Zealand Herald article for its focus on gender identity in the context of a tragic death of an anorexic teen, and comments on the lack of media consistency in reporting hate crimes. Additionally, he underscores the importance of free speech against the backdrop of academic and political debates involving figures like David Seymour and Anne Salmond.