NZ Government Will Pay Media to Produce State-Approved Stories to Combat “Misinformation” About Covid-19
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced her government’s plans to fund journalism that will combat “misinformation” about Covid-19 on social media.
According to a government website, Ardern’s $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund will be split across three years, and will “support a healthy democracy” by keeping New Zealanders “informed and engaged.”
During a speech delivered at the Summit for Democracy last week, a virtual event held by US President Joe Biden and attended by more than 100 world leaders, Ardern noted the purpose of the package was to combat information about Covid-19 that is contrary to the state-approved narrative.