Shared from Voices For freedom https://www.voicesforfreedom.co.nz/
CLIMATE, CASH & CONFUSION
Last week, the anonymous blogger ‘Cranmer’ revealed a special blend of ‘journalism’ and government advertising (*cough* propaganda) on his X account (formerly Twitter).
The state broadcaster TVNZ found itself in a sticky situation after being exposed for pocketing a cool $300,000 from a government agency for a series of climate change segments on its Breakfast show.
Apparently, viewers were expected to possess psychic abilities to discern that these segments were part of a “commercial arrangement” rather than, you know, actual journalism.
Critics, including the team here at VFF, have rightly accused the government of crafting “pure political propaganda.” How else could it be viewed?
The agency behind this marketing masterpiece is the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), with Labour Minister Megan Woods arranging the advertising deals. The package included a climate special, online content extravaganza, and even interviews with climate/energy experts – how generous! It is good to know where our tax funds are going…
TVNZ insists they’re all about transparency, pointing out the teeny labels they slapped on the climate special and articles. Still, it seems these labels didn’t quite make it to the Breakfast interviews. But don’t worry, they’re going to fix it – future Breakfasts will come with bonus sponsor logos! Because who needs hard-hitting journalism when you can have logos?
In a line from one of NZ’s most famous informercials, “But wait, there’s more!”, TVNZ wasn’t the only beneficiary of the public funds. Stuff also had their noses in the trough, gobbling up a further $200,000 by EECA for a series of news articles, feature stories and advertising in 2022.
Minister Woods said, “The partnership captured and amplified stories and images of New Zealanders undertaking energy-related climate action to encourage others to do so.”
Here at VFF (and over at our media arm, RCR), you can rest assured that our content is delivered to you without any government interference, bribery, or corruption. We bring you the facts and the news as we find them so you can make up your own mind.
Cranmer has been on fire lately, dropping truth bombs and keeping the media and authorities on their toes. He reported on X today that a recent decision by the Broadcasting Standards Authority earlier this month accepted that the blurring of a hand gesture by Kellie-Jay Keen (Posie Parker) during a Newshub Live at 6pm item was “potentially misleading and unfair to Ms Keen.”
He also reminded us that Stuff’s “The Whole Truth” project, originally launched for election fact-checking and later reimagined to counter Covid misinformation, received funding from Google, NZ On Air, and government coordination through Jacinda Ardern’s office. He also asserted that “Stuff and the Disinformation Project are two sides of the same coin.”There’s a real theme running here…
Uncoffined 