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A Ukrainian man says he complained about what he considered Russian propaganda in a RNZ story last year.
On Thursday, RNZ published a story that contained a pro-Russian view of the events surrounding Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution and Russia’s subsequent military intervention in 2014.
The story was supplied by the international news agency Reuters. It later appeared on RNZ with edits to include a pro-Russian view.
Further investigation has since revealed that more than a dozen stories had been edited on RNZ’s website to slant coverage in favour of Moscow.
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RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson on Saturday confirmed he had launched an external review of processes for editing online stories “to ensure these are robust”, and a staff member has been put on leave and no longer has access to RNZ computer systems.
Christchurch resident Michael Lidski said he was surprised when he learned about RNZ’s investigation this week because he had raised concerns about an article eight months ago.
In an email sent to Broadcast Minister Willie Jackson and RNZ on October 24, Lidski and members of the Ukrainian community complained about an RNZ article titled “NZ entering Ukraine conflict at whim of govt”, originally published in May that year.
Monique Ford/Stuff
RNZ is investigating after some of its stories were edited to include “a false account of events”.
In his complaint, Lidski said the RNZ story was a “definite copy of the enemy propaganda”.
“I thought it was absolutely outrageous back then, and to me, it just didn’t look like it came from New Zealand,” Lidski said on Sunday.
“It just didn’t sound right to me at all.”
Jackson responded to the complaint on November 16, acknowledging the illegal war in Ukraine and the group’s concerns on accurate and unbiased reporting.
He said he could not involve himself in operational decisions of media organisations, adding he expected media to adhere to high standards.
Jackson noted going to RNZ with the complaint was the appropriate course of action, “as it is useful for these organisations to hear the views of their audiences”.
ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson has said the ongoing RNZ investigation is an operational matter.
Lidski said RNZ did not respond to his complaint.
The story has since been amended, acknowledging an earlier version “lacked balance”, and that the article was taken down on June 10 for a day, while a review took place.
Lidski said he was concerned about how far back stories may have been altered.
“Back in October I had no way of knowing … I am shocked,” he said.
“People didn’t realise it was happening.
“We hope RNZ gets to the bottom of this, find the people that are guilty of it. And that there are mechanisms in place in the future to prevent this from happening again.”
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