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

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

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