Linking to material later classified as objectionable considered illegal?
Roger Brown made this Official Information request to Office of Film and Literature Classification
The request was refused by Office of Film and Literature Classification.
From: Roger Brown
Dear Office of Film and Literature Classification,
I understand the Police are prosecuting the two cranks who run the 'Counterspin Media' Telegram channel for allegedly distributing an objectionable publication, namely, for linking (prior to your decision to ban the video which it relates to) to the website for the Michael Knighton's ludicrous 'Three Faced Terrorist' 'documentary', and for posting a Word document created by some anonymous party making broadly the same stupid claims, but not directly connected to the 'documentary'.
1) Does the OFLC consider linking to a website that may currently, or in the future, host a video file that you might classify as objectionable in the future as 'distributing' that publication?
2) Searches of the publicly available OFLC databases do not show evidence that you have classified the document that Counterspin distributed, 'A Mosque Report you need to see no. 2.docx', as objectionable. Obviously not all works which contain some derivative material from the Christchurch counterjihad shooter's livestream video are objectionable, as you allowed the distribution of 'The Social Dilemma' and suchlike material here. Can you confirm whether any classification has been made of this document?
3) Did Police consult with you prior to laying these charges, which seem questionably founded to say the least?
Cheers,
Roger
From: Information Unit
Office of Film and Literature Classification
Kia ora Roger,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982, which
we received on 26 August 2022, about the alleged distribution of an
objectionable publication.
Please find attached a response to your request, including a decision to
transfer part of your request to Te Tari Taiwhenua—Department of Internal
Affairs.
Please let us know if you would like any more information.
Ngâ mihi nui,
Te Mana Whakaatu—Classification Office
show quoted sections
From: RSOC
Mōrena Roger,
Please find attached a letter from the Department of Internal Affairs in
regards to your Official Information Act (OIA) request.
Ngā mihi
Royden Raka | Business Advisor
Regulatory Services
Toi Hiranga | Regulation & Policy
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington
Phone: +64 4 462 0129 | [1]www.dia.govt.nz
[2]logo
References
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