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Meta Ditches Fact Checking w/ the University of Waikato’s Joe Ulatowski: 15 January, 2025

Meta Ditches Fact Checking w/ the University of Waikato’s Joe Ulatowski: 15 January, 2025 Meta Ditches Fact Checking w/ the University of Waikato’s Joe Ulatowski: 15 January, 2025, 27.55 MB
Wed 15 Jan 2025

Last week Meta made an announcement that it was going to ditch its third party fact checkers, and replace them with a ‘community notes’ system similar to X. 

This means all content would be moderated and fact checked by its own users. The move has received a large amount of backlash amid concerns that it will cause a rise in hate speech, disinformation and fraud. The move has also been slated as catering to Donald Trump’s attitude to online moderation, ahead of him taking office as President next week. 

Shortly after this announcement, Meta also announced it was ditching its Diversity, Inclusion and Equity program.  

Evie spoke to the University of Waikato’s Joe Ulatowski about these changes, what he thinks it means for the future of misinformation on social media, and what impact it may have in Aotearoa.

The Wire w/ Evie: 15 January, 2025

The Wire w/ Evie: 15 January, 2025 The Wire w/ Evie: 15 January, 2025, 114.55 MB
Wed 15 Jan 2025

This week on the Wednesday Wire... 

For our weekly catch up with the Green Party Evie speaks to Ricardo Menendez March about the Treaty Principles Bill submissions and the Regulatory Standards Bill. 

Sasha speaks with Sarita Divis, Executive Officer of the Child Poverty Action Group about the recent social security bill amendment and its implications for New Zealand’s human rights.

And Evie also speaks to  the University of Waikato’s Joe Ulatowski about Meta deciding to ditch its third party fact checkers, and the risk of disinformation on social media as a result. 

Whakarongo mai!

Social Security Bill Amendment w/ Sarita Divis, Executive Officer of the Child Poverty Action Group

Social Security Bill Amendment w/ Sarita Divis, Executive Officer of the Child Poverty Action Group Social Security Bill Amendment w/ Sarita Divis, Executive Officer of the Child Poverty Action Group, 18.96 MB
Wed 15 Jan 2025

The recent social security amendment bill is an extension of the government’s agenda to cut those on benefits by 50,000. While this may seem like a strategic move by the government, it is important to consider that they are not creating any new jobs and unemployment is at 4.8 percent as of September 2024.

The proposed changes aim to make it harder for those struggling to receive the benefit, additionally introducing 'money management' schemes, which splits the MSD payment onto a card which can only be used at specific locations. These changes are unrealistic, because many people already pay more than half of their income for rent.

Anti-Poverty groups have spoken out about this amendment and are aiming to raise awareness around this. These groups want the government to move away from using sanctions against people who need income support.

Sasha spoke to the Child Poverty Action Group’s Executive Officer, Sarita Divis about the social security bill amendment, and potential consequences for those seeking support.

The Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards Bills w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 14th January, 2025

The Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards Bills w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 14th January, 2025 The Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards Bills w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 14th January, 2025, 11.19 MB
Tue 14 Jan 2025

The submission period for the Treaty Principles Bill was due to close last week, however, due to mass amounts of last minute submissions leading to software issues, the deadline was extended to 1 pm on Tuesday, 14th January. 

Similarly, the submissions for the consultation period on the regulatory standards bill ended yesterday, another bill primarily pushed by David Seymour and the ACT party that would change how the government processes legislation. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor spoke to him about these bills and how the party plans to operate in 2025.

New Zealand Drug Trend Survey Shows Increase in Medicinal Cannabis Prescriptions w/ Associate Professor Marta Rychert: 14th January, 2025

New Zealand Drug Trend Survey Shows Increase in Medicinal Cannabis Prescriptions w/ Associate Professor Marta Rychert: 14th January, 2025 New Zealand Drug Trend Survey Shows Increase in Medicinal Cannabis Prescriptions w/ Associate Professor Marta Rychert: 14th January, 2025, 22.47 MB
Tue 14 Jan 2025

The New Zealand Drug Trend Survey (NZDTS) for 2024 has been released, and results have revealed an increase in participation in the 2020 Medicinal Cannabis Scheme. 

The percentage of people with prescriptions for medicinal cannabis increased from just 9% in 2022 and 2023, to 37% last year, while the percentage of users who have never asked for prescriptions decreased from 85% to 60%.

Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor at the Massey University College of Health, Marta Rychert, about the medicinal benefits of cannabis, and what the survey results suggest about the current culture surrounding cannabis.

The Wire w/ Castor: 14th January, 2025

The Wire w/ Castor: 14th January, 2025 The Wire w/ Castor: 14th January, 2025, 107.41 MB
Tue 14 Jan 2025

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about analysing massive ice chunks, air pollution in ancient Rome, and a mystery volcano from 1831.

In our first weekly catchup with the National Party of the year, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tom Rutherford about the Treaty Principles Bill, Regulatory Standards Bill, and the party’s plans for the rest of the year.

Producer Athena spoke to associate professor at Massey University’s College of Health, Marta Rychert, about the results of the latest New Zealand Drug Trends Survey

They also spoke to senior researcher at City University of London and Honorary researcher at the University of Auckland, Ladan Hashemi, about the effects of childhood trauma

Childhood Trauma Link to Obesity w/ Senior Researcher Ladan Hashemi: 14th January 2025

Childhood Trauma Link to Obesity w/ Senior Researcher Ladan Hashemi: 14th January 2025 Childhood Trauma Link to Obesity w/ Senior Researcher Ladan Hashemi: 14th January 2025, 18.62 MB
Tue 14 Jan 2025

A study published this week in the European Journal of Public Health has revealed 87% of children in Aotearoa have experienced significant trauma before the age of 8, which is much more than previously thought.

The study observed the effects of 8 kinds of traumatic childhood experiences, and found there can be a link between childhood trauma and obesity. It was also revealed that positive experiences can mitigate the effects of trauma.

Producer Athena spoke to Senior Researcher at City University of London and Honorary Researcher at the University of Auckland, Ladan Hashemi, about the effects of childhood trauma, its links to obesity, and ways to prevent and mitigate its effects.

The Wire w/ Joel: 13 January, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 13 January, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 13 January, 2025, 112.52 MB
Mon 13 Jan 2025

This week on the Monday Wire...

News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to Principal Scientist at GNS Science, Dr Nick Cradock-Henry, about NIWA’s annual climate summary, showing that 2024 was the 10th warmest year on record in Aotearoa.

They also speak to the Co-Director and Senior Research Fellow for the Centre of Pacific & Global Health at the University of Auckland, Dr Roannie Ng Shiu, about a report she was involved in in December, showing that vulnerable Pacific nations will be facing a multitude of devastating consequences due to the climate crisis.

Producer Evie speaks to the Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about what we can expect from Donald Trump’s inauguration, one week out from him taking office.

She also speaks to Climate Justice Taranaki’s Catherine Cheung about the government’s controversial Regulatory Standards Bill.

And finally, Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss the concept of new year resolutions.

Whakarongo mai!

New Report Shows Health Crisis Concerns for Island Nations w/ the University of Auckland's Dr Roannie Ng Shiu: 13 January, 2025

New Report Shows Health Crisis Concerns for Island Nations w/ the University of Auckland's Dr Roannie Ng Shiu: 13 January, 2025 New Report Shows Health Crisis Concerns for Island Nations w/ the University of Auckland's Dr Roannie Ng Shiu: 13 January, 2025, 5.05 MB
Mon 13 Jan 2025

Last month, the inaugural Lancet Countdown Indicator Report was released, showing that small island nations are facing escalating health risks associated with the implications of the climate crisis.

The report shows a multitude of health risks associated with the effects of the climate crisis, such as an increase in disease risks, displacing communities, and devastating the livelihoods of those living in these regions.

News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Co-Director and Senior Research Fellow for the Centre of Pacific & Global Health at the University of Auckland, Dr Roannie Ng Shiu, who led the report's of health, hazards, and impacts, about what this will mean heading forward, and whether larger nations, such as New Zealand, are doing enough to mitigate these concerns.

They started off by asking her about what health risks we can expect.

Trump’s incumbent inauguration w/ Global Studies Programme Director at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden: 13 January, 2025

Trump’s incumbent inauguration w/ Global Studies Programme Director at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden: 13 January, 2025 Trump’s incumbent inauguration w/ Global Studies Programme Director at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden: 13 January, 2025, 16.1 MB
Mon 13 Jan 2025

One week from today, President elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will take place, marking his second term as president. 

Between election day in November and now, much has occurred. Most recently Trump was granted an unconditional discharge in his highly publicised hush money trial - avoiding penalty, jail time or a fine - but he will still become the first president with a felony conviction. 

He’s also become increasingly strong on claims that the USA will buy Greenland as a territory, and aim to make Canada its 52nd state. Although the claims may seem outrageous - Trump is also demanding that Panama cede control of the Panama Canal back to the US. 

With such brazen claims and events - Producer Evie spoke to Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden about what Trump’s upcoming term may look like and what impact these events may have.