Gecko Ӿ

The decision of the Broadcasting Standards Authority that it has jurisdiction over The Platform is breathtaking in its audacity. It has singlehandedly decided it knows better than the regulatory framework it operates under and that it should regulate the entire internet in New Zealand. The BSA even acknowledges in its decision that there is a regulatory gap between the Act and the modern world of communications - but has decided it can make the staggering leap to bridge that gap by ‘interpreting’ the law. This is not interpretation – this is obviously a case of targeting an outlet, in this case The Platform, not because it believes the regulatory framework applies to it, but because it disagrees with the content of what it is communicating. That is an egregious case of overreach and total fascist behaviour. The BSA has crossed a line. As far as New Zealand First is concerned, this decision commences a process that has to see the end of the BSA. It is no longer fit for purpose, and decisions like this are frankly dangerous to democratic discourse.

Andrea Vance says the continued use of X by politicians is a form of ‘tacit approval’ of the abuse material allegedly being made using Grok on the platform. That statement is as unhinged as it is stupid. She might want to first ask some questions about her own organisation Stuff who constantly quote and screenshot my ministerial X posts for use in their articles as recently as a few weeks ago. So is Stuff complicit and now ‘tacitly approving’ of X? Where is Vance’s article deep diving into Stuff reporters using X for news content? Or is it ‘rules for thee and no rules for me’. Before she falls off her high-horse in righteous indignation, she also might like to do a quick google search about the main social media platforms that peddle sexual abuse material - don’t worry I’ve saved her the time: Snapchat: Identified as a leading platform for child grooming and sexual communication. Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram): Frequently cited in reports for both child sexual grooming and, in some cases, the facilitation of trafficking. WhatsApp: Used for grooming and, because of its encrypted nature, as a platform for distributing illegal material. The list goes on but ironically doesn’t include X as the front runner. Is Vance going to boycott all of those platforms? Or is her article exactly what it smells like - her frothing at the mouth to take ‘allegations’ and ‘maybes’ to attack a so called ‘right wing’ platform she sits in the corner and seethes about. The hypocrisy is palpable - but not surprising coming from a journalist who used to work at the morally corrupt News of the World media organisation. PS In her shallow article she waxes lyrical about the sexualisation of women by Grok putting women in bikinis - then she proceeds to use a photo made by Grok of Elon Musk…in a bikini. Riddle me that. Wouldn’t surprise me if she reads this on my X post…