GUEST BLOG: Mick Hall – Statement On Spy Agency Probe Into RNZ ‘Russian Edits Scandal’ And IGSS Report

I welcome a report released today by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Brendan Horsley, which found an investigation by the NZSIS into whether I was involved in state-sponsored foreign interference while employed at Radio New Zealand was necessary, proportionate and legal.

As a journalist, I am reassured by the report’s findings that the spy agency followed its Sensitive Category Individuals (SCI) policy during its three-month investigation and that it informed interested parties there was nothing that indicated I was a national security threat or an agent of foreign interference.

I accept that the NZSIS acted out of necessity, after my sub-editing of international news agency stories had been mis-framed by RNZ management and others in June 2023 as an exercise in Russian propaganda.

These accusations, which caused widespread concern, were utterly false. Horsley’s report points to this and is the second such review to do so.

In July 2023, an Independent Review Panel set up to look into the circumstances of my sub-editing found “no evidence to suggest the individual intended to insert misinformation or disinformation into the stories, let alone engage in some kind of pro-Russian propaganda campaign”.

It added: “On the contrary, it appears to have been an effort on the part of the journalist concerned to add what he considered to be more balance and accuracy into the stories via the sub-editing process.”

The panel found the public broadcaster’s choice of language “unhelpful in maintaining public trust”.

It found only a percentage of the 49 international news stories flagged as concerning by an RNZ internal audit of my work involved ‘inappropriate’ changes, while also noting that “experienced people operating in good faith can and do disagree on where the lines are between compliance with editorial standards and a breach of those standards”.

By its knee-jerk judgment that I’d acted in bad faith, and by its public pronouncements, RNZ management created a dangerous environment of hysteria and undue speculation over my motives.

It helped bring a journalist to the attention of the NZSIS and its Five Eyes intelligence partners. As Horsley’s report points out, it is “at the very least, disconcerting to discover that you have come to the attention of an intelligence agency, particularly as a journalist reporting on conflicts where different views can validly be expressed”.

Conflating editorial endeavour that seeks accurate reporting and proper context in news stories with subjective support for foreign enemies is a smear, creates a chill factor within newsrooms and stifles open and informed public discourse over foreign policy and international affairs.

With the New Zealand government moving to introduce sweeping measures to criminalise foreign interference, RNZ management’s damaging mischaracterisations should be of lasting concern.

I would like to thank Mr Horsley and his team for their professionalism and courtesy.

 

 

Mick Hall is the former RNZ Journalist who stood up for journalism. His Substack is here.