by Mike Bain, The Daily Examiner.
A New Zealand-based group, Dark Times Academy, has lost a US Embassy grant after refusing to let American officials vet its course on disinformation for alignment with US foreign policy.
The academy, which was set to train Pacific Island journalists, declined requests to hand over course materials and a participant list—moves that co-founder Mandy Henk said would have compromised academic independence and breached New Zealand privacy laws.
The US Embassy had originally awarded the grant under the previous administration, intending to help Pacific media combat misinformation. However, Henk says the new administration wanted to ensure the programme “aligned with US foreign policy priorities”—priorities she sarcastically summarised as “terrorising the people of Gaza, annexing Canada, invading Greenland, and bullying Panama”.
When Dark Times Academy refused to comply, discussions with the embassy led to the grant being “terminated by mutual agreement.” Despite losing US funding, the programme, called A Bit Sus, will still proceed with enrolled journalists.
Dark Times Academy is a community education provider based in Auckland, New Zealand. The academy aims to offer affordable learning opportunities in the liberal and useful arts, focusing on courses that explore the intersection of information science and sociology. The academy’s mission is to provide a bright spot in the darkness of misinformation and media manipulation, empowering students to understand and combat these issues.
The US foreign policy priorities under the new administration include countering terrorism, preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and maintaining military advantage over other countries. Additionally, the administration focuses on combating transnational criminal organizations, promoting economic prosperity, and addressing global health challenges.
The handling of the grant termination has drawn criticism from various quarters.
Critics argue that the US Embassy’s demands for course materials and participant lists were an overreach and an attempt to exert undue influence on academic programs. They also highlight the importance of maintaining academic independence and protecting privacy laws.
Despite the setback, Dark Times Academy remains committed to its mission of educating journalists and combating misinformation.
The academy’s programme, A Bit Sus, will continue to provide valuable training to Pacific Island journalists, ensuring they are equipped to navigate the complex media landscape.
