Giving RNZ one final chance
Quite simply you were sucked in by Fern Hickson, and Ruth Hill has a demonstrated history of anti-trans sentiment.
To: Paul Thompson, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, RNZ
Kia ora Paul,
I am writing once again to formally notify you of our grave concerns regarding Ruth Hill's article "Teenager starves to death alone in emergency accommodation", published on 12 June 2025, which remains live on your platform despite incontrovertible evidence of serious ethical breaches and potential legal violations of the coronial process.
David Farrier's investigative piece has now exposed, with documentary evidence comprising over 6,000 messages, that your article fundamentally misrepresents the deceased. Specifically, RNZ has:
- Systematically misgendered a deceased transgender youth throughout the article
- Failed to disclose that anti-trans activist Fern Hickson of Resist Gender Education orchestrated the story's placement
- Published speculative assertions about the circumstances of death whilst coronial proceedings remain active
- Violated fundamental principles of accuracy, fairness, and human dignity
The continued publication of this article constitutes ongoing harm to Alex's memory, his community, and public trust in RNZ. Multiple major outlets will publish further exposés tomorrow detailing RNZ's failures in this matter.
Quite simply you were sucked in by Fern Hickson, and Ruth Hill has a demonstrated history of anti-trans sentiment.
I am providing RNZ with this final opportunity to take corrective action. If the article remains online beyond 12:00 pm tomorrow, I will file the comprehensive complaint I have prepared with the Human Rights Commission. I am prepared to pursue this matter through the Human Rights Review Tribunal and, if necessary, seek a remedy in the High Court to ensure accountability for this egregious breach of journalistic ethics and potential discrimination under the Human Rights Act 1993 and/or the Bill of Rights Act 1990.
The remedial actions required are straightforward: immediately remove the article, issue a comprehensive public apology, and implement measures to prevent such failures from recurring. These steps would demonstrate RNZ's commitment to ethical journalism and respect for vulnerable communities.
I trust you will treat this matter with the urgency it demands.
Ngā mihi,
Paul Thistoll
CEO
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