Al
[FYI request #22505 email]
Ref: OIA-2022/23-0837
Dear Al
Official Information Act request for Misinformation or disinformation reports that were
referenced in a previous OIA response
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 19 April 2023.
You requested:
“In this OIA from 2022:
https://fyi.org.nz/request/19264/response/75179/attach/2/OIA%202021%2022%201440
%20A%20Response.pdf
It mentioned that commissioning had been done for these 3 reports with suppliers:
- trends in disinformation narratives and the impacts of these on the New Zealand
public health response;
- New Zealanders’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding COVID-19
misinformation; and
- best practice in scanning online, open-source material for the purposes of
understanding the online information landscape.
Could I please be provided with the reports (if they exist) and who developed them,
how much it cost if it the suppliers were from outside of government, and what they
were used for or contributed to.”
I have identified 5 documents that were produced for the Department of the Prime Minister
and Cabinet for the projects listed above. I can advise that each report contributed to a
broader understanding on the misinformation and disinformation landscape relating to
COVID-19.
For ease of reference, the relevant documents are set out in the table below.
Project
Supplier
Reports
Decision
Cost
Trends in disinformation
The
Reporting of online
Release in
$27,000
narratives and the impacts Disinformation harms and threats
part,
excl GST
of these on the New
Project
against the Covid-19
s9(2)(a),
Zealand public health
Response, 11 July 2022
s9(2)(g)(i),
response
s9(2)(c),
Reporting of online
s6(d),
harms and threats
s9(2)(ba),
against the Covid-19
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Response, 25 July 2022
Differential experiences
of the pandemic, the
infodemic, and
4745794
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
information disorders –
disinformation impacts
for Māori
New Zealanders’
Kantar Survey Unite against the COVID-
Refused
S9(2)(i),
knowledge, attitudes and
19 infodemic, September
under 18(d),
s9(2)(b)(ii)
behaviours regarding
2022
soon to be
COVID-19 misinformation
publicly
available
Best practice in scanning
Brainbox
Appropriate Frameworks
Released in
S9(2)(i),
online, open-source
for Social Media Analysis full
s9(2)(b)(ii)
material for the purposes
Report released
of understanding the
previously.
online information
landscape
I have decided to release the relevant parts of the documents listed above, subject to
information being withheld as noted. The relevant grounds under which information has been
withheld are:
• section 6(d), to maintain the safety of any person
• section 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of individuals
• section 9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free
and frank expression of opinion
• section 9(2)(c), to protect the health or safety of members of the public
• section 9(2)(ba)(i), to protect the supply of similar information in the future
• section 9(2)(g)(ii), to prevent improper pressure or harassment
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of
the Act. No public interest has been identified that would be sufficient to override the reasons
for withholding that information.
This response wil 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.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
Yours sincerely
Tony Lynch
Deputy Chief Executive
National Security Group
4745794
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