Ombudsman Ref: 588112
DPMC Ref: OIA-2021/22-1386
Harold
[FYI request #19522 email]
Dear Harold
Official Information Act requests for information relating to the COVID-19 false
information reporting cell I refer to your follow-up Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request 20 July 2022 that
included a request for terms of reference for a proposed virtual reporting cell for
COVID-19 disinformation.
Our response to you explained that there was only a very early initial draft terms of
reference and these were withheld in full under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act. You asked
the Ombudsman to investigate our responses to your request and, in particular, the
withholding of the draft terms of reference.
In light of your complaint and the passage of time since your original requests, we have
reassessed the initial draft terms of reference, and agreed that these can now be
released to you.
Please
find
attached
“
Virtual triaging and reporting cell: COVID-related
mis/disinformation and risks to the COVID-19 response: Terms of Reference.” As
explained, this document is an initial draft, and you will see that there are comments
tracked in the draft reflecting its early stage of development. Some officials’ names
have been withheld under section 9(2)(g)(ii) of the Act, to prevent improper pressure or
harassment.
We have provided some context on the document itself that explains that these were
initial, draft terms of reference for discussion about a ‘virtual reporting cell’ that was
never established. An initial proposal to set up an interagency group to report on
nationally significant COVID-19 disinformation was not pursued. These draft Terms of
Reference were never finalised or considered further.
I remind you that 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 DPMC’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
Bridget White
Executive Director, National Security Cc: The office of the Ombudsman
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4893349
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz