I don't see how anyone went outside their remit. RNZ wasn't forced to do anything. The editor had already resigned, there's no intimidation. GCSB seems to be doing what they are there for I'm regards to foreign interference.

I do not believe as you're implying that freedom of the press involves not investigating foreign states manipulating that press to change the public opinion. Rather I think the press in question would welcome the outcome of this investigation (whatever the outcome). There is no implication here that anyone is forcing RNZ to do anything, only RNZ controlling one of their editors. Surely freedom of the press involves freedom of RNZ to control their editor?

[–] BalpeenHammer@lemmy.nz 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Two things.

Do you think there are any editors are RNZ or other press outlets who make pro US, pro Israel, pro EU or pro UK edits
Do you think the GCSB investigated anybody for being pro any of those countries?

I do not believe as you’re implying that freedom of the press involves not investigating foreign states manipulating that press to change the public opinion.

I disagree. Freedom of the press involves exactly that. In fact the most of the press in our country is owned by foreigners and you can bet your ass those countries are manipulating the press in order to change public opinion. The only difference is that you align with the politically correct ideology those countries push. This only worries you if the foreign nation is Russia or China or Iran or whoever the current government has convinced you are you enemies.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 3 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Do you think there are any editors are RNZ or other press outlets who make pro US, pro Israel, pro EU or pro UK edits

For sure.

Do you think the GCSB investigated anybody for being pro any of those countries?

I would not be surprised at all. The GCSB is presumably investigating various people all day every day as the core part of their job.

I disagree. Freedom of the press involves exactly that. In fact the most of the press in our country is owned by foreigners and you can bet your ass those countries are manipulating the press in order to change public opinion.

I'm really struggling with your argument. You are saying that the foreign owned press is manipulating the public through media and that in your opinion we should not do anything about that?

[–] BalpeenHammer@lemmy.nz 0 points 6 days ago

I would not be surprised at all. The GCSB is presumably investigating various people all day every day as the core part of their job.

This is so dishonest. You know this isn't happening. If you actually believe that GCSB is investigating reporters and editors for publishing pro US or pro Israel content I have lost all respect for you.

I’m really struggling with your argument.

I thought I was very clear. The press should remain free. It should not be pressured by the government whatsoever. Reporters should not live in fear that they are going to be investigated by the secret police for publishing articles.

You are saying that the foreign owned press is manipulating the public through media and that in your opinion we should not do anything about that?

Yes exactly. The government should not be messing with the press.

This is different from your position which is that the we should only do something about this when it involves publishing articles which are politically incorrect and against government policies and positions.

[–] MadPsyentist@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Also of note is the fact that this is RNZ. By design, the least foreign owned news outlet in this country.

[–] BalpeenHammer@lemmy.nz 1 points 6 days ago

Sure but not that relevant.

The point is that the secret police is intimidating journalists in order to prevent them from publishing politically incorrect articles and headlines.

[–] BalpeenHammer@lemmy.nz 0 points 1 week ago

One more thing.

This investigation is a signal sent to the press to induce a chilling effect on reporting which goes against the current government narrative.

No reporter wants to be invested by the secret police (which GCSB is by any definition)