Nine To Noon for Friday 16 June 2023

 

09:05 The challenge of media manipulation, disinformation and online extremism

An independent investigation is underway into how an RNZ digital journalist was able to insert Russian propaganda into stories about the war in Ukraine. RNZ has stood down the journalist and since last Friday has reviewed 300 of 7000 international stories he edited and published on the RNZ website. 22 have been corrected. Dr Joan Donovan is at the forefront of research into media manipulation, disinformation and online extremism. She is Research Director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. She has testified before Congress, and recently published "Meme Wars," a book she coauthored with two other members of the Technology and Social Change Project. She's in New Zealand with the support of the US State Department speaking at a series of meetings and workshops in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. 

09:30 Illegal energy drink still for sale on Facebook Marketplace 

An energy drink that has nearly twice the legal limit of caffeine is banned in New Zealand, but is still for sale on Facebook marketplace. Prime energy drinks contain 597 milligrams of caffeine per litre, while the legal limit is 320 milligrams of caffeine per litre. Some retailers were selling the drink until they were issued with warnings of prosecution and fines of up to $100,000 for selling the drink. Listings on Trade Me were also eventually pulled, but the drink is still for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Public health experts are particularly worried about the risks of children consuming these drinks, which are heavily promoted by influencers on YouTube, like boxer Logan Paul and rapper KSI. Kathryn speaks with Jenny Bishop, Food Safety acting deputy director-general at MPI and Dr Ali Hill from the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Otago. 

09:40 Grandmother and grandson complete quest to  visit all US national parks

The adventuring began a few years ago when Brad Ryan realised his Ohio based Grandmother, Joy Ryan had never seen a mountain. A plan was hatched for them to visit all 63 US national parks. Now aged 92, Joy and grandson Brad last month completed their mission, when they spent time in the National Park of American Samoa. They're back home in the US.

You can follow their epic journey on instragram @grandmajoysroadtrip

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins has a raft of stories including a United States Government official, Bill Russo saying Washington needs to be judged by its actions as it recommits to greater involvement in the Pacific. Also Koroi details Pacific territories representation at the UN decolonisation committee in New York. They are also driving momentum at the International Marine Organisation to clean up international shipping. And in sport a look at Tonga's teams for the forthcoming world cups in netball and men's rugby. They include superstars who formerly appeared for Australia and New Zealand.

10:05 The Richard Pointon Collection: a career collecting rare carpets 

A spectacular collection of Persian and oriental handmade carpets, all hand-picked by Wellington man Richard Pointon, are being celebrated in an exhibition, a final tribute before his business closes its doors after 37 years. Richard Pointon passed away in 2020, after dedicating his life to collecting and selling beautiful unique carpets. Over the course of his career he travelled many times to Turkey, India, Nepal, China, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, developing life-long friendships with the people he worked with. He was also instrumental in setting up initiatives in India and Afghanistan to help preserve old weaving techniques. His Petone-based business, the Richard Pointon Collection, is set to close in a few months' time. But first, a selection of some of his finest pieces from the collection have formed an exhibition at Drive-Thru gallery in Wellington. Kathryn speaks with Richard's son, Nicholas Pointon, and also Kane Laing, owner of Drive-Thru gallery and a former employee of Richard Pointon's.

 

10:35 Book review: Where Light Meets Water by Susan Paterson

Carole Beu of the Women's Bookshop in Auckland reviews Where Light Meets Water by Susan Paterson, published by Simon & Schuster Australia

 

10:45 Around the motu : Kelly Makiha in Rotorua

 

Kelly Makiha has been covering the case of Jodie Nicoll who has spoken out about being sexually abused for nearly 3 decades at hands of her step-father. He has been sentenced to 10 years preventive detention. Kelly is also covering a current case where a leading entertainment figure in on trial for the rape and sexual assault of nine women. Also, there's been a damning report on the Four Canoes Hotel by FENZ -  stating likely death or injury likely in the event of fire. And there's a new luxury spa is in Rotorua, the Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa has opened just in time for winter.

 

 

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

After a decade out of print, the ground-breaking Delta Swamp Rock double LP has just been reissued, showcasing artists who blended rock, soul and country together to create a new style of southern music in America in the 1970s. We'll hear two tracks from that today, alongside some mighty retro soul from Lady Wray and a newly reissued classic by Nigerian Afrobeat kingpin, Fela Kuti.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

New Zealand is starting to have honest conversations about rugby and its increasingly unstable throne at the top of the sporting food chain in Aotearoa. Sam an breaks down what this means and what we’re missing in the debate - as well as the big sporting topics of the week.
 

11:45 The week that was

Comedians Donna Brookbanks and Irene Pink with some stories to smile at, including the first edition copy of George Orwell's 1984 which has been returned to an Oregon library - it was checked out 65 years ago!