10 November 2022
Scott
[FYI request #20984 email]
Ref: OIA-2022/23-0283
Dear Scott
Official Information Act request for the COVID-19 Disinformation Process Review
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on
31 October 2022. You requested:
“I would like to make a request for a copy of the COVID-19 Disinformation Process
Review.
The document is referenced in Office of Film and Literature Classification material
published on the Parliament website earlier this year:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parliament.
nz%2Fresource%2Fen-
NZ%2F53SCGA_EVI_118632_GA21083%2F13ad81f62ca6fc8638a750d02b996cde65
d7030f&data=05%7C01%7Cinformation%40dpmc.govt.nz%7C5bd7425380db4308093
d08dabab3ebeb%7Ceea6053309ef4b7a94060f38551cc613%7C0%7C0%7C63802757
9311984385%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2lu
MzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=G7JmsgSc
zcM72VmRh81sPOH2Lgp8dhLAVS7roQsx5kE%3D&reserved=0
“[OFLC’s disinformation strategy] has been shared with DPMC, who have incorporated
it into their own strategy documents, such as the COVID-19 Disinformation Process
Review.” (Quote on page 5).
I would like to request a copy of the COVID-19 Disinformation Process Review referred
to here.”
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) is developing advice on the
appropriate response for New Zealand to counter misinformation and disinformation
effectively and to strengthen our resilience to its harms. This involves looking at our specific
needs and taking on lessons from other countries.
The challenge is to respond in a balanced and proportionate way that mitigates the harms
caused while protecting human rights and freedoms, and our commitment to a free, open
and secure internet. Successfully countering disinformation and building societal resilience to
its harms requires “whole of society” solutions. The New Zealand government’s response
needs to involve working closely with a range of stakeholders, including media, academia,
civil society, communities, and the private sector in order to get ahead of disinformation
campaigns and countering them effectively.
DPMC’s strategic approach to misinformation and disinformation has continued to evolve as
the situation has changed over time. We do not have a record of a ‘COVID-19 Disinformation
Process Review’ being developed. The Office of Film and Literature Classification has
contributed to DPMC’s overall work on developing an appropriate response to countering
misinformation and disinformation, which may be what is referred to.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4656181
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
I am therefore refusing your request under section 18(e) of the Act, as the information you
have requested does not exist or, despite reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found.
However, I have decided to release to you the paper
Communications approach for COVID-
19 disinformation, online harms and scams, dated 23 February 2022, which reflects a period
during which the focus of the work narrowed to approaches to COVID-19 misinformation and
disinformation.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
This response may be published on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s
website during our regular publication cycle. Typically, information is released monthly, or as
otherwise determined. Your personal information including name and contact details will be
removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Tony Lynch
Deputy Chief Executive
National Security Group
4656181
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