diet?

I'm not talking about how many greens you're getting I'm talking about how much, and what kind, of media you're consuming Is it solid mainstream? Mainly social?

Or do you balance that by grazing on independent media, theonessayingsomethingdifferent?

If you don't, how do you know that what they're saying doesn't make sense? Do you rely on mainstream media's favourite word: misinformation, to disregard independent media,ordoyourelyonyourownjudgment?

ThisisthesecondtolastissueoffortnightlyGBThinkers. It was borne because of the apparent lack of balance in our mainstream media reporting of issues that affected our community and country, deeply Nelson Mandela’s quote above speaks to the importance of a balanced media, but a Family First report in March this year illustrates just how Government-friendly our mainstream mediahasbecome.

Alongwithafreepress,therighttoprotestisanessential pillar of democracy The report looked at the mainstream media’s coverage of last year’s 23-day protest at Parliament, and how it was channelled through to those watching from home “Just 3% of the total 599 reviewed pieces featured quotes from protestors, many of whom were happy to be named. There were only a couple of stories that profiled protesters in any depth 72% of media coverage made no attempt to report the concerns, and many of those articles which did mention their concernsreportedthemalongsidecriticalcommentary”

Thereportconcludedthat“Thepublicwereneverinvited to draw their own conclusions but were fed a predetermined diet of anti-protest content.” How mindful areyouwhenwatchingthenews?

Enter, independent media You could argue the GB Thinker’s coverage of Parliament's protest was equally biased, focusing on the proud faces of locals who flew or sailedtoWellingtontostandupfortheirrights Atleastif you’d been open to both sides, you’d have a broader viewpointoftheeventsatParliament,whichprecededthe relinquishing of vaccine mandates, except for healthcare workers - (who could only return to work last monthJune2023withouthavingtobevaccinated.Thislate-stage relief on our stretched health sector seemed to fly under themainstreammediaradarcompletely.)

...continuedonPage2

The Thinker Quiz

1) Where is the new location of Julian Batchelor's Stop CoGovernance meeting this Friday at 2pm?

2) Following his controversial departure from Fox News, broadcaster Tucker Carlson gave his first exclusive interview to which independent podcaster?

3) NZ Loyal is the new political party launched by which independent media personality?

4) Dozens of locals filled out a Nelson City Council meeting last week to oppose a council directive handed down from former Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield shortly before he resigned. What was the directive?

5) New Zealand is the pilot project for reimagining the regulation of AI - who is driving the project?

continued from page 1 Malcolm X said “the media's the most powerful entity on earth They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” It is up to every individual to be mindful of the media they’re consuming and see that they’re getting a balanced diet. Because a diet out of balance in this case won’t mess with your body - but it will mess with your mind. It is also essential that your media consumption is balanced with non-media consumption! Above all, are you taking time out from media? Are you also making a point of listening to the birds, the trees, the waves? No matter what you’re open to being toldnature is tonic.

This issue is dedicated to the myriad independent media that are available to us to balance the TunnelVision, starting with the formidable new online radio station - Reality Check Radio. ~

I can recommend Rodney Hide's interview with Chris Woodney the hemp broker on RCR. Chris has an amazing story of how he came to utilise this versatile plant and how government regulations and big corporate interests saw his flourishing business collapse and why. His focus on helping people is evident stemming from his experience of death and being resuscitated. Following Chris' story in his next segment, Rodney Hide gave his reaction to a Christian maths teacher being struck off the teacher registry for refusing to go against his belief when a 14 year old girl demanded that she'd be addressed as a boy. Real Talk with Rodney Hide are interesting, interactive, informative and funny conversations on RCR. ~Marta

Independent media is taking to the big screen too Last week I traveled to Christchurch for the South Island premiere of We Came Here for Freedom, where Silenced opened - to a crowd of 600 Alistair Harding's film gives a chorus of big voices to last year's Parliamentary protestors, which complements the content in Silenced beautifully The totality of the film's content is from an insider's point of view of the protest - essential viewing for anyone who relied on mainstream media coverage during those 23 days Samantha Blanchard

Reality Check Radio, is my favourite channel. You can listen to it live or via the replays on the internet at www.realitycheck.radio

There are so many good things about it...

Covering issues the establishment won't, they challenge the voices the mainstream media don't, and they believe we can discern the truth for ourselves when given the full story. They broadcast 7 days a week on current events and interesting issues you won't hear anywhere else…politics, gardening, health, kiwi culture. Solely funded by its listeners - no government handouts

No ads and no news and no weather updates

Excellent presenters, Paul Brennan, Rodney Hide, Peter Williams and scores of others.

~Nicola Basham