"Pro-Kremlin Garbage", Editorial Standards & Reporting on the Ukraine Conflict
John Wilson made this Official Information request to Radio New Zealand Limited
The request was successful.
From: John Wilson
Dear Radio New Zealand Limited,
I am writing to you under the provisions of the Official Information Act to request clarification and comprehensive information regarding recent statements and allegations made concerning Radio New Zealand . I am seeking clarification on the following matters:
Quoted Statement by Paul Thompson, CEO of RNZ:
In a published article titled "RNZ reporter had been editing stories for several years without being queried" (source: Stuff.co.nz), Paul Thompson, CEO of RNZ, is quoted as saying, "It's so disappointing that this pro-Kremlin garbage has ended up in our stories. It's inexcusable." I kindly request an explanation as to what Mr. Thompson specifically meant by the term "pro-Kremlin garbage." Additionally, I would like to know if RNZ's editorial standards consider other forms of content, such as "pro-Washington garbage," to exist and be problematic or objectionable.
Instances of "Pro-Russian Propaganda":
In a post on the @CheckpointRNZ Twitter account (https://twitter.com/checkpointrnz/status...), it is mentioned that a "web journalist" inserted "pro-Russian propaganda" into stories on the RNZ website. I would like to request a comprehensive list of the instances where "pro-Russian propaganda" was identified, accompanied by a detailed explanation of why each instance was categorised as such. Furthermore, I would appreciate a broader explanation of how RNZ editorially defines "propaganda" within the context of their reporting.
Identification of Western Propaganda:
I am interested to know if RNZ has ever identified instances of "pro-US propaganda," "pro-Ukrainian propaganda," "pro-NATO propaganda," or "pro-Western propaganda" in its reporting or actively sought to identify such content. If there have been any instances, I kindly request information on how RNZ addressed these situations and the measures taken to ensure the accuracy and integrity of their reporting.
Yours faithfully,
John Wilson
From: Maggie Hedge
Radio New Zealand Limited
Good morning John
RNZ acknowledges receipt of your OIA request. Under the Official Information Act 1982 we have 20 working days to respond, and will contact you via email /post. If for any reason our response is delayed due to illness, or pandemic we will advise immediately.
Kind regards
Maggie Hedge| OIA Administrator RNZ
[email address]
-----Original Message-----
From: John Wilson <[FOI #23114 email]>
Sent: Monday, 12 June 2023 10:40 PM
To: RNZ <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] - Official Information request - "Pro-Kremlin Garbage", Editorial Standards & Reporting on the Ukraine Conflict
Dear Radio New Zealand Limited,
I am writing to you under the provisions of the Official Information Act to request clarification and comprehensive information regarding recent statements and allegations made concerning Radio New Zealand . I am seeking clarification on the following matters:
Quoted Statement by Paul Thompson, CEO of RNZ:
In a published article titled "RNZ reporter had been editing stories for several years without being queried" (source: Stuff.co.nz), Paul Thompson, CEO of RNZ, is quoted as saying, "It's so disappointing that this pro-Kremlin garbage has ended up in our stories. It's inexcusable." I kindly request an explanation as to what Mr. Thompson specifically meant by the term "pro-Kremlin garbage." Additionally, I would like to know if RNZ's editorial standards consider other forms of content, such as "pro-Washington garbage," to exist and be problematic or objectionable.
Instances of "Pro-Russian Propaganda":
In a post on the @CheckpointRNZ Twitter account (https://twitter.com/checkpointrnz/status...), it is mentioned that a "web journalist" inserted "pro-Russian propaganda" into stories on the RNZ website. I would like to request a comprehensive list of the instances where "pro-Russian propaganda" was identified, accompanied by a detailed explanation of why each instance was categorised as such. Furthermore, I would appreciate a broader explanation of how RNZ editorially defines "propaganda" within the context of their reporting.
Identification of Western Propaganda:
I am interested to know if RNZ has ever identified instances of "pro-US propaganda," "pro-Ukrainian propaganda," "pro-NATO propaganda," or "pro-Western propaganda" in its reporting or actively sought to identify such content. If there have been any instances, I kindly request information on how RNZ addressed these situations and the measures taken to ensure the accuracy and integrity of their reporting.
Yours faithfully,
John Wilson
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #23114 email]
Is [RNZ request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Radio New Zealand Limited? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
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CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Emails sent by Radio New Zealand Limited (RNZ) or any related entity, including any attachments, may be confidential, protected by copyright and/or subject to privilege. If you receive an email from RNZ in error, please inform the sender immediately, delete it from your system and do not use, copy or disclose any of the information in that email for any purpose. Emails to/from RNZ may undergo email filtering and virus scanning, including by third party contractors. However, RNZ does not guarantee that any email or any attachment is secure, error-free or free of viruses or other unwanted or unexpected inclusions. The views expressed in any non-business email are not necessarily the views of RNZ. www.rnz.co.nz
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From: Maggie Hedge
Radio New Zealand Limited
Dear John
I am writing with respect to your OIA request, which is due to be replied
to shortly.
As we are waiting on the Panel of Inquiry established by the RNZ Board to
report back we are unable to respond to your inquiry within the initial 20
working days. A further extension of time is required under s15A of the
Official Information Act and I expect we should be able to respond to your
request in a reasonable timeframe. Once their report is available we
will forward you a copy of what is available and we expect this report
will address the request you have made.
As we are required to do, this message is to also advise you that our
response to your request can be referred to the Ombudsman’s Office for
review under s28 (3) of the Official Information Act if you wish.
Kind regards
George Bignell| OIA Inquiries Coordinator
RADIO NEW ZEALAND | LEVEL 2 | 155 THE TERRACE
PO BOX 123 | WELLINGTON | NEW ZEALAND 6140 | [1]www.rnz.co.nz
DDI +64 4 474 1424 | [mobile number]
Emails sent by Radio New Zealand Limited (RNZ) or any related entity,
including any attachments, may be confidential, protected by copyright
and/or subject to privilege. If you receive an email from RNZ in error,
please inform the sender immediately, delete it from your system and do
not use, copy or disclose any of the information in that email for any
purpose. Emails to/from RNZ may undergo email filtering and virus
scanning, including by third party contractors. However, RNZ does not
guarantee that any email or any attachment is secure, error-free or free
of viruses or other unwanted or unexpected inclusions. The views expressed
in any non-business email are not necessarily the views of RNZ.
www.rnz.co.nz
References
Visible links
1. http://www.rnz.co.nz/
From: John Wilson
Dear Maggie Hedge,
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your efforts in providing the forthcoming Panel of Inquiry report that is expected to address my request. I look forward to receiving the report in full.
To ensure clarity, I kindly request a preliminary explanation or clarification regarding the questions I have raised, particularly before the report is sent. I am particularly interested in whether RNZ has sought to identify or believes in the existence of pro-Western propaganda and if you can provide a definition for such content. Relatedly, I would appreciate an explanation of the views expressed by Paul Thompson, CEO of RNZ, regarding 'pro-Kremlin garbage' and whether RNZ's editorial standards also consider other forms of content, such as 'pro-Washington garbage,' to be problematic or objectionable.
I eagerly anticipate the report and appreciate any preliminary insights you can provide.
Yours sincerely,
John Wilson
From: John Wilson
Hi
I wanted to follow up on the status of my request. It has been 36 working days since the initial submission. Could you please provide an estimated timeframe for when I can expect to receive a response that addresses the questions I asked?
Regards
John Wilson
From: Maggie Hedge
Radio New Zealand Limited
Dear John
In response to your request for information held by RNZ below, please find
attached a copy of the report prepared by the Independent Panel which
reported to the RNZ Board of Governors.
You have a right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi
George Bignell | Legal Adviser and Procurement Manager
RNZ, PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand, 6140
DDI +64 4 474 1424
Mobile: +64 27 491 2246
[2]www.rnz.co.nz
-----Original Message-----
From: John Wilson <[3][FOI #23114 email]>
Sent: Monday, 12 June 2023 10:40 PM
To: RNZ <[4][email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] - Official Information request - "Pro-Kremlin
Garbage", Editorial Standards & Reporting on the Ukraine Conflict
Dear Radio New Zealand Limited,
I am writing to you under the provisions of the Official Information Act
to request clarification and comprehensive information regarding recent
statements and allegations made concerning Radio New Zealand . I am
seeking clarification on the following matters:
Quoted Statement by Paul Thompson, CEO of RNZ:
In a published article titled "RNZ reporter had been editing stories for
several years without being queried" (source: Stuff.co.nz), Paul Thompson,
CEO of RNZ, is quoted as saying, "It's so disappointing that this
pro-Kremlin garbage has ended up in our stories. It's inexcusable." I
kindly request an explanation as to what Mr. Thompson specifically meant
by the term "pro-Kremlin garbage." Additionally, I would like to know if
RNZ's editorial standards consider other forms of content, such as
"pro-Washington garbage," to exist and be problematic or objectionable.
Instances of "Pro-Russian Propaganda":
In a post on the @CheckpointRNZ Twitter account
([5]https://twitter.com/checkpointrnz/status...), it is
mentioned that a "web journalist" inserted "pro-Russian propaganda" into
stories on the RNZ website. I would like to request a comprehensive list
of the instances where "pro-Russian propaganda" was identified,
accompanied by a detailed explanation of why each instance was categorised
as such. Furthermore, I would appreciate a broader explanation of how RNZ
editorially defines "propaganda" within the context of their reporting.
Identification of Western Propaganda:
I am interested to know if RNZ has ever identified instances of "pro-US
propaganda," "pro-Ukrainian propaganda," "pro-NATO propaganda," or
"pro-Western propaganda" in its reporting or actively sought to identify
such content. If there have been any instances, I kindly request
information on how RNZ addressed these situations and the measures taken
to ensure the accuracy and integrity of their reporting.
Yours faithfully,
John Wilson
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[6][FOI #23114 email]
Is [7][RNZ request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to
Radio New Zealand Limited? If so, please contact us using this form:
[8]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[9]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know
the content is safe.
Emails sent by Radio New Zealand Limited (RNZ) or any related entity,
including any attachments, may be confidential, protected by copyright
and/or subject to privilege. If you receive an email from RNZ in error,
please inform the sender immediately, delete it from your system and do
not use, copy or disclose any of the information in that email for any
purpose. Emails to/from RNZ may undergo email filtering and virus
scanning, including by third party contractors. However, RNZ does not
guarantee that any email or any attachment is secure, error-free or free
of viruses or other unwanted or unexpected inclusions. The views expressed
in any non-business email are not necessarily the views of RNZ.
www.rnz.co.nz
References
Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
2. http://www.rnz.co.nz/
3. mailto:[FOI #23114 email]
4. mailto:[email address]
5. https://twitter.com/checkpointrnz/status...
6. mailto:[FOI #23114 email]
7. mailto:[RNZ request email]
8. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
9. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
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