"A Critical Analysis of Voices for Freedom's Royal Commission Appearance" - 12 July 2025
Deconstructing the Misinformation Machine
Kia ora whānau (hello family).
The Māori Green Lantern here, exposing the toxic fog of misinformation, white supremacy, and colonialism that continues to harm our communities. Today we tear apart the dangerous propaganda machine masquerading as "freedom" advocates.
Unmasking the Voices for Freedom Misinformation Network
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned recently heard from Voices for Freedom (VFF), a group that has systematically spread dangerous misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and public health measures1. Led by Claire Deeks, a failed Advance NZ party candidate, alongside Alia Bland and Libby Jonson2, VFF represents the worst kind of privileged white activism that endangers the most vulnerable in our communities.
What we witnessed in their Royal Commission appearance was not honest inquiry but a carefully orchestrated performance designed to legitimise years of harmful misinformation. The group claimed to represent "100,000 members" while promoting conspiracy theories that directly contradicted established science and endangered Māori and Pacific communities who faced the highest risks from COVID-19.
The Advertising Standards Authority Confirms VFF's Misinformation
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has repeatedly upheld complaints against VFF's materials, finding them "misleading and socially irresponsible"3. The ASA upheld 101 complaints about VFF advertisements, finding they spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and masks4.
VFF distributed millions of misleading flyers across New Zealand5, including materials that falsely suggested the ASA endorsed their claims6. This deliberate deception demonstrates the group's willingness to manipulate regulatory processes to legitimise their propaganda.
The False Claims About Vaccine Effectiveness and Transmission
During their Royal Commission appearance, VFF representatives repeatedly claimed COVID-19 vaccines were ineffective at preventing transmission. However, extensive real-world data contradicts these assertions. Multiple studies demonstrate that COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce transmission7, with fully vaccinated individuals transmitting COVID-19 to contacts at substantially lower rates than unvaccinated individuals8.
Real-world effectiveness studies show COVID-19 vaccines achieved 89.1% effectiveness against infection, 97.2% against hospitalisation, and 99.0% against death9. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine demonstrated 95% efficacy against COVID-19 in clinical trials10, with 100% efficacy in adolescents11.
Endangering Māori Communities Through Misinformation
VFF's misinformation campaign directly threatened Māori whānau who faced disproportionate risks from COVID-1912. While Māori eventually reached 90% first-dose vaccination rates13, this was achieved despite VFF's efforts to undermine public health messaging.
Initial vaccination rates for Māori were concerningly low, with only 8.9% fully vaccinated in August 202112. The misinformation spread by groups like VFF contributed to this vaccine hesitancy, potentially costing lives in communities already facing health inequities.
The Dr Peter McCullough Connection: Amplifying Debunked Claims
VFF repeatedly referenced Dr Peter McCullough, a Texas cardiologist whose medical certifications were threatened over spreading COVID-19 vaccine misinformation14. McCullough has made false claims about COVID-19 vaccine deaths that have been repeatedly debunked by fact-checkers15.
The American Board of Internal Medicine found McCullough provided "false or inaccurate medical information to the public"14, including claims that tens of thousands died from COVID-19 vaccines, which were not supported by reliable data16.
Reality Check Radio: The Propaganda Platform
VFF operates Reality Check Radio (RCR), an internet radio station that promotes anti-vaccine content, climate change denial, and far-right messaging17. RCR has hosted extremist figures including Austrian far-right activist Martin Sellner, who received donations from the Christchurch mosque shooter17.
The Advertising Standards Authority ruled against RCR advertisements containing unsubstantiated claims about COVID-19 vaccines17. Despite claiming to provide "balanced" information, RCR's mission statement explicitly targets "woke dogma" and promotes "traditional kiwi values"18 – coded language for white supremacist ideology.
The Real-World Evidence of Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness
Contrary to VFF's fear-mongering, comprehensive real-world safety monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines involving over 16 million vaccinated individuals found only rare adverse events19. Analysis of nearly one million adverse event reports in Europe confirmed the overall safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines20.
Global data shows over 7 million deaths from COVID-1921, while New Zealand recorded 4,716 COVID-attributed deaths as of July 202522. The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that vaccines saved millions of lives worldwide.
The Neoliberal Framework: Individual "Freedom" Over Collective Responsibility
VFF's messaging exemplifies neoliberal ideology that prioritises individual "choice" over collective wellbeing and social responsibility. Their rhetoric about "medical freedom" masks a fundamental rejection of te ao Māori values like whakatōhea (collective responsibility) and manaakitanga (caring for others).
This individualistic framework directly contradicts Māori worldviews that recognise our interconnectedness and responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. VFF's "freedom" is the freedom to endanger others, particularly those who cannot protect themselves.
Exposing the Financial Networks
Despite claiming grassroots support, VFF's financial backing remains opaque23. RCR raised almost $500,000 in donations despite having only 3,500 paying subscribers24, suggesting significant financial support from wealthy donors.
This pattern matches international misinformation networks where well-funded groups masquerade as grassroots movements while promoting corporate and far-right agendas25.
The Royal Commission's Responsibility
The Royal Commission's decision to platform VFF without adequate scrutiny represents a failure of democratic institutions to protect public health. By treating misinformation as legitimate "alternative viewpoints," the Commission legitimised dangerous propaganda that has real-world consequences for vulnerable communities.
The Commission should have rigorously fact-checked VFF's claims before providing them a platform. Their failure to do so demonstrates how institutional racism allows privileged white voices to spread misinformation while Māori and Pacific perspectives on health equity are marginalised.
Defending Truth Against the Misinformation Machine
VFF's Royal Commission appearance was not a good-faith contribution to public health discourse but a calculated attempt to legitimise years of dangerous misinformation. Their claims about vaccine ineffectiveness, safety concerns, and government overreach have been repeatedly debunked by scientific evidence and regulatory authorities.
As tangata whenua and allies committed to protecting our communities, we must continue exposing these misinformation networks and the privileged white voices that profit from undermining public health. The evidence is clear: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and groups like VFF have actively endangered lives through their propaganda campaigns.
We cannot allow the normalisation of misinformation in our democratic institutions. The Royal Commission must be held accountable for platforming dangerous conspiracy theories without adequate scrutiny, and we must continue fighting for evidence-based policy that protects all our whānau.
Readers who find value in my mahi exposing misinformation and white supremacy are welcome to consider a donation/koha to support this kaupapa: HTDM: 03-1546-0415173-000. I understand these are tough economic times for whānau, so please only contribute if you have capacity and wish to do so.
Aroha nui, stay vigilant whānau.
Ivor Jones The Māori Green Lantern