Developed by the Online Safety Exchange, Counter Currents, is a four-episode podcast series that explores the dynamics of online extremism and radicalisation as well as the solutions available to counter it. It includes expert commentary from: Paul Ash of the Christchurch Call, former Cheif Censor David Shanks, the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security Services Brendon Horsley, Dr Erin Saltman and Naureen Fink from the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, and Dr. Angus Lindsay from the Department of Internal Affairs.
The series begins by looking at the March 2019 Christchurch Masjidain attack. It examines the online dissemination of the terrorist’s livestream and manifesto, the failures that allowed harmful content to proliferate and the subsequent global response in Episode 1 “Unprecendented”. Episode 2, “Mobilised” explores how extremists leverage technology to recruit, radicalize, and promote violence, as well as the current responses to these challenges. In Episode 3, “Balancing Act” we explore how to preserve essential freedoms whilst combating extremism online. Episode 4 “Except by Chance” concludes the series with a look at the early warning signs of radicalisation online and actionable steps listeners can take.
- Paul Ash, CEO, Christchurch Call Foundation
- Naureen Chowdhury Fink, Executive Director, Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism
- Brendon Horsley, Inspector General of Intelligence and Security Services (New Zealand)
- Dr. Angus Lindsay, Senior Operational Policy Analyst, Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand
- Dr. Erin Saltman, Director of Memberships and Partnerships, Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism
- David Shanks, Chief Censor of New Zealand 2017-2022
