Pacific Media Watch: US Embassy Grant Terminated, Disinformation Course Continues
A US Embassy grant awarded to a New Zealand-based community education provider, Dark Times Academy, has been terminated following a dispute over course content and participant information. The grant, initially awarded under the previous US administration, was intended to fund a course teaching Pacific Island journalists how to identify and counter disinformation. The termination occurred after the new Trump administration requested access to the course materials and a list of participants, requests that Dark Times Academy refused, citing misalignment with US foreign policy and New Zealand privacy laws. Despite the termination, Dark Times Academy remains committed to delivering the course, emphasizing the critical need for these skills in the Pacific region.
The eight-week course, titled “A Bit Sus,” employs evidence-based methods to equip journalists with the necessary skills to identify and counter disinformation and misinformation within the media landscape. The curriculum incorporates techniques like "prebunking," lateral reading, and analysis of the impact of technology, including generative AI, on disinformation. The course was developed independently by Dark Times Academy and its academic consultants, with the US Embassy’s funding aimed at strengthening Pacific media’s capacity to combat disinformation. The termination highlights the potential clash between academic freedom and government oversight in internationally funded educational programs.
The controversy arose when the US Embassy requested review of the "A Bit Sus" course materials to ensure alignment with US foreign policy priorities. Dark Times Academy co-founder Mandy Henk declined the request, expressing concern over the current administration’s actions in various international contexts, including Gaza, Canada, Greenland, and Panama. Further complicating matters, the Embassy also requested a list of registered participants, a request Dark Times Academy refused, citing the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. These disagreements ultimately led to the mutual termination of the grant.
Despite losing the US Embassy funding, Dark Times Academy is determined to deliver the "A Bit Sus" course to the registered Pacific Island journalists. Henk reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to bringing the program and other classes to the Pacific region and New Zealand, irrespective of US government support. She highlighted the rapid growth of digital connectivity in the Pacific Islands, coupled with a surge in harmful rumours and disinformation, underscoring the urgent need for media professionals to be equipped with the skills to counter these threats.
The course’s relevance is amplified by the Pacific region’s unique vulnerabilities. Dark Times Academy co-founder Byron Clark pointed to the devastating impact of disinformation during the measles outbreak in Samoa as a stark example of the real-world consequences. He further emphasized the timeliness of the course, given the region’s vulnerability to climate change and its position amidst geopolitical tensions between China and the West. The “A Bit Sus” program’s emphasis on practical skills development is crucial in empowering journalists to navigate these complex challenges.
The “A Bit Sus” program utilizes a "high-touch teaching model" incorporating the latest evidence on countering disinformation and a learner-centered approach that combines discussion, activities, and projects. This hands-on approach allows participants to apply learned concepts and develop practical tools. Previous iterations of Dark Times Academy courses have led to the creation of resources like the New Zealand version of the "Euphorigen Investigation" escape room, a board game, and a card game, which are currently used in schools and community learning centers across New Zealand. This demonstrates the academy’s commitment to developing engaging and impactful educational materials. The continuation of the course signifies a victory for independent education and a testament to the commitment of Dark Times Academy to empowering journalists in the Pacific region, despite facing political and financial obstacles.