David Shanks

Big tech and social media bosses pledged to eradicate online extremism in Christchurch Call three years ago in Paris - and today they claim atrocities which echo the 15 March massacre don't go viral… Audio

The Chief Censor’s Office used to worry about the odd boundary-pushing book, film or video game. These days it's  extreme stuff published online that forms the bulk of the work. David Shanks leaves… Audio

New research has found half of New Zealand holds at least one belief based on misinformation. The survey of 2300 people has also found 82 percent are somewhat or very concerned about the spread of… Audio

A new nationwide survey has shone a light on the rise of misinformation and the concern New Zealanders have about it. The research commissioned by the Classification Office has found exposure to false… Audio

The government wants to beef up the chief censor’s power to root out harmful and hateful stuff online - but opposition politicians and internet freedom advocates say this is an overreach which could… Audio

An increased age rating and a warning have been placed on a new Netflix documentary showing brief clips of the Christchurch mosque terror attacks.

The imagery comes from the mass murderer's own… Audio

The Chief Censor says New Zealand has an opportunity to be world leading in fighting back against Covid-19 misinformation on-line.

Nasty rumours, inaccurate advice and bullying has been circulating… Audio

An erotic Polish film that trended at #3 on Netflix over the weekend is being accused of glamourising rape, stockholm syndrome and kidnapping. '365 Days' tells the story of Laura, who is abducted by… Audio

The World Wide Web is an international phenomenon with few rules, and no one stepping up as global sheriff. Can New Zealand's new internet legislation have an impact on its worst excesses without… Audio

Loot Boxes are the video version of bubble gum cards - you buy them while gaming, without knowing what prize you're going to get. But critics say they're opening a door for children to gamble.  Audio

Proposals to limit New Zealander's access to online pornography could be on the table before the 2020 election.

Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin signalled she wants to change the law to make… Audio

Since 13 Reasons Why debuted on Netflix two years ago, its content has raised concerns with censors and mental health advocates around the globe. Netflix is releasing the third season of the show… Audio

The accused Christchurch gunman's manifesto is being republished in paperback and sold through an instant messaging app.

A neo-Nazi in Ukraine is distributing the document through an online channel… Audio

What is the role of internet service providers in blocking harmful content from the public? The controversial website 8chan - linked to several mass shootings in the past six months - has gone… Audio

The Chief Censor supports the decision by a cyber-security firm to drop the online message board 8Chan in the wake of Sunday's mass shooting in Texas.

Twenty people were killed during the attack at a… Audio

New studies show suicide rates in the United States went up after a controversial Netflix drama on suicide was aired.

A graphic three-minute suicide scene in the series '13 Reasons Why' has now been… Video, Audio

The removal of a suicide scene from the Netflix drama '13 Reasons Why' is being called the right thing to do, but mental health advocates say the damage has already been done, with the show being… Audio

Another controversial Netflix production with graphic content has sneaked through New Zealand classification, before being changed, as the government considers rule changes. Following viewer concerns… Audio