Letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith: Subject: Urgent Demand for Independent KC Investigation into Probable Journalistic Fraud at Radio New Zealand
Hon Paul Goldsmith
Minister of Broadcasting and Media Communications
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Via email
Subject: Urgent Demand for Independent KC Investigation into Probable Journalistic Fraud at Radio New Zealand
Tēnā koe Minister Goldsmith,
Although in my capacity as a private citizen, I am currently seeking a judicial review of one of your ministerial decisions as Minister of Justice, I have great respect for you and your abilities as a Minister, MP, and historian. As you are aware, history is about telling stories accurately and fairly; therefore, I would like to bring to your immediate attention an almost certain case of journalistic fraud at Radio New Zealand.
On Thursday, 12 June 2025, RNZ published what can only be described as one of the most ethically bankrupt pieces of journalism in its institutional history. Ruth Hill's 3,500-word article systematically erased the identity of Alex, a deceased 17-year-old trans man, through deliberate and sustained misgendering across every paragraph, whilst advancing an anti-transgender narrative orchestrated by known activist Fern Hickson of Resist Gender Education. Resist Gender Education, which wants to ban youth from socially transitioning in schools.
The systematic deception documented:
The article referred to Alex exclusively by his deadname and female pronouns throughout, despite the existence of over 6,000 forum messages between 2022-2023 where Alex consistently identified as male, explicitly stating: "I do not go by my birth name any more as hearing/seeing it makes me very uncomfortable. I am trans and don't really associate that name with myself at all anymore." Angel, the forum moderator who knew Alex intimately through thousands of interactions, confirmed his remarkably stable gender identity and his profound pain at his parents' rejection.
The article falsely claimed Alex had "abandoned" his transgender identity—a demonstrable falsehood contradicted by his own documented words until his death. Rather than conducting balanced journalism, Hill constructed a narrative entirely through the lens of parents who refused to accept their son's identity, describing them as "very transphobic and still very unaccepting" in Alex's own words.
The BOMBSHELL that constitutes either criminal negligence or active fraud:
Almost immediately after Hill's story landed and anti-transgender activists began celebrating their propaganda victory online, Angel—who possessed the 6,000+ messages documenting Alex's true story—reached out directly to Ruth Hill with evidence that fundamentally contradicted her reporting. Ruth Hill did not respond – I have seen the email Angel sent, and it was extremely genuine and invited immediate action. Hill's failure to respond to this correspondence represents either journalistic negligence so profound it borders on criminal dereliction or deliberate fraudulent misrepresentation in service of an ideological agenda.
This is not mere editorial misjudgment. This is the weaponisation of a vulnerable young person's death to advance a discriminatory narrative, compounded by the systematic suppression of contradictory evidence when presented.
Legal framework demanding action:
Under the Broadcasting Act 1989, the BSA has statutory authority to uphold standards requiring accuracy in all material points of fact. Hill's reporting constitutes a material error of fact requiring correction under Standard 6, whilst simultaneously violating Standard 4's prohibition on content that encourages discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The RNZ Charter mandates service to the public interest through accurate, balanced journalism. Hill's conduct represents a serious breach of trust that has damaged RNZ's reputation for reliable journalism, precisely mirroring the 2023 Russia editing scandal that necessitated external investigation.
Under civil law principles, Hill's misrepresentation meets the three-element test for fraudulent misrepresentation: false statements of fact, active assertion of those falsehoods, and public reliance causing demonstrable harm to transgender communities and Alex's posthumous dignity.
The Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination that degrades individuals based on prohibited grounds. Hill's systematic erasure of Alex's identity whilst he cannot defend himself constitutes unlawful discrimination deserving of the strongest regulatory response.
Rights Aotearoa is intending to make complaints to the BSA and the Media Council. We will also submit a legally novel complaint to the Human Rights Commission, citing Ellis v R [NZSC 114], and may initiate a judicial review of RNZ’s actions, which would also rely on Ellis.
Precedent demands an independent investigation:
Minister, you will recall that in 2023, RNZ's inappropriate editing of international stories by a single journalist triggered an independent external review costing $230k, conducted by legal expert Willy Akel, broadcaster and Lawyer Linda Clark, and ABC standards director Alan Sunderland. That investigation resulted in 22 recommendations and the journalist's resignation after finding "a serious breach of trust" that "damaged RNZ's reputation for accurate and balanced journalism."
Hill's conduct is exponentially more serious. Where the 2023 case involved editing existing stories, Hill actively constructed a false narrative about a deceased young person whilst suppressing contradictory evidence. The harm to transgender communities, to journalistic integrity, and to Alex's memory demands nothing less than the most thorough independent investigation possible.
Specific demands for immediate action:
Given the gravity of this misconduct and its potential to prejudice ongoing coronial proceedings, I demand:
1. Immediate appointment of an independent King's Counsel to investigate Hill's conduct, RNZ's editorial processes, and the systematic failures that enabled this journalistic fraud. The investigation must have broad powers to compel evidence and examine all relevant communications.
2. Comprehensive review of editorial standards at RNZ to prevent future posthumous discrimination against vulnerable communities.
3. Implementation of mandatory transgender awareness training for all RNZ editorial staff to prevent similar violations of human dignity.
4. Public parliamentary inquiry into RNZ's compliance with its Charter obligations and statutory duties under broadcasting legislation.
The stakes could not be higher:
Minister, transgender youth in Aotearoa face extraordinary challenges. When our public broadcaster participates in their systematic erasure—even in death—it sends a devastating message to every trans young person struggling to survive. Alex deserved to have his story told with dignity and truth. Instead, RNZ weaponised his death to advance harmful anti-trans rhetoric on behalf of a self-interested third party whilst ignoring evidence of his authentic identity.
Your background as a historian who has documented institutional injustices through the Waitangi Tribunal uniquely positions you to understand that accuracy is not optional—it is fundamental to justice itself. Just as historical revisionism serves ideological rather than factual purposes, Hill's reporting represents a deliberate distortion of the documentary record in service of a discriminatory agenda.
The evidence is overwhelming. The legal framework is clear. The precedent for independent investigation is established. What remains is your willingness to ensure that New Zealand's public broadcaster meets the professional standards that democracy demands.
Alex's memory—and the safety of transgender youth across Aotearoa—depends on your immediate action. History will judge whether our institutions can protect the vulnerable from systematic media persecution or whether ideology will triumph over truth at our national broadcaster.
I await your urgent response regarding the appointment of an independent KC investigation. And despite our recent differences, I have a strong belief in your personal fundamental commitment to truth and fairness.
Ngā mihi nui,
Paul Thistoll
CEO
Rights Aotearoa
Rights Aotearoa is Aotearoa’s leading non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to promoting and defending universal human rights for all Kiwis.