Far-right Billionaire Jim Grenon’s anti-vax and racist culture war crusades
Billionaire Jim Grenon’s growing influence over New Zealand media is raising serious concerns about editorial independence, culture war politics and the integrity of the Fourth Estate ahead of Election 2026.
Jim Grenon and the Rise of Culture War Media Influence
Far-right Toxic Culture War Canadian Billionaire Jim Grenon, funded a racist defamation campaign…
The TVNZ Defamation Case and Its Wider Implications
How billionaire Jim Grenon became involved in a defamation case against TVNZ
In mid-December, in a small courtroom at the Auckland District Court, a defamation case against TVNZ and a researcher was unfolding.
Julian Batchelor, the organiser of a “stop co-governance” roadshow, was suing TVNZ and Sanjana Hattotuwa, a former researcher for The Disinformation Project, over an August 2023 news item that ran on 1News’ 6pm bulletin and website. The subject was the Electoral Commission investigating an anti-co-governance pamphlet distributed by Batchelor before the 2023 general election.
Batchelor wanted damages. He claimed the story had caused him personal and professional damage after Hattotuwa described him as using “racist rhetoric” and speech that “instigated harm offline”.
On Tuesday, Judge David Clark released his decision. He ruled Batchelor’s claim had been “wholly unsuccessful”. He also raised questions.
Stuff
Funding Defamation Campaigns and Legal Pressure on Media
…he also funded anti-vaccine grifter Chantelle Baker’s ‘defamation’ case…
Chantelle Baker ordered to pay $100,000 bond ahead of defamation case against Stuff
Media Influence, NZ Herald and Editorial Integrity
…Grenon’s far-right culture war belief structure has compromised its editorial position to the point that even Sir Ian Taylor has cancelled his subscription to the Herald…
‘A question of trust’: Why I’m walking away from the NZ Herald
Today I cancelled my subscription to the New Zealand Herald.
I did not do this lightly, but I can no longer reconcile what I read in The Herald this week with the values I believe New Zealand stands for.
My decision comes in the wake of a recent court case involving rhetoric that has been found, by that court, to be racist. Those statements included:
…so the Herald is utterly compromised now towards Grenon’s far-right culture war revenge fantasies.
The Role of Alternative Platforms in Amplifying Culture Wars
Grenon has backed the far-right hate blog, ‘The Centrist’ which has become a crucial clearing house for toxic right-wing hate troll content that aligns with their anti-trans, anti-vaccine, anti-Māori editorial line.
He is now just under the technical level to take a majority share in NZME which will allow him to radically alter the editorial stance leading into the election…
Why Media Ownership Matters for Democracy
…allowing an far-right billionaire with dangerously unhinged political views anywhere near total editorial control of one of the largest media platforms in NZ is a threat to the Fourth Estate and our democracy.
As Election 2026 approaches, the concentration of media power in the hands of individuals with clear ideological agendas raises profound questions about who shapes public discourse in Aotearoa — and whether the Fourth Estate can remain independent in the face of that influence.
Sir Ian Taylor has elevated himself to higher honours than his Knighthood.
Sir Ian Taylor an iconic New Zealander.
Bob the first who?
I don’t get it! Why would Batchelor complain about being described as racist when he is absolutely a RACIST FANATIC! I’m friends with an E/suburb’s woman who received this disgusting pamphlet which highly distressed her. This Australian misfit, Batchelor, needs to return to Aus! We don’t want him here and neither do we want his “backer”, Grenon. What in hell’s name have we done to deserve these two vile, odious creatures? What next?
Sir Ian has morals unlike you far right racist trolls who would sell your grandmother for prostitution. How is your grandmother Bob?
So Mr Bradbury, we now know that the only media voices you and your erstwhile colleagues approve of are those that you approve of. A big like Ardern’s “public interest journalism fund” no?