Jacinda Adern in America
New Zealand PM Demands Censorship of Americans and Repeal of Second Amendment
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called on Big Tech companies to censor Americans and has urged the Biden administration to repeal the Second Amendment.
During an address to Harvard University graduates, Arden took advantage of the Uvalde mass shooting and called for the government to ban “military-style semi-automatics and assault rifles” and impose online censorship.
“We knew we needed significant gun reform, and so that is what we did,” Ardern boasted. “But we also knew that if we wanted genuine solutions to the issue of violent extremism online, it would take government, civil society and the tech companies themselves to change the landscape.”
Infowars.com reports: Arden then called on social media platforms to develop “responsible algorithms” to censor “disinformation” and “make choices and decisions for us” about what information we see online.
“The time has come for social media companies and other online providers to recognize their power and to act on it,” Ardern said.
“That means upholding their own basic terms of service. That means recognizing the role they play in constantly curating and shaping the online environments that we’re in. That algorithmic processes make choices and decisions for us.”
“At best that means that the user experience is personalized, but at worst it means the user experience can be radicalized,” Ardern continued. “Let’s start with transparency in how algorithmic processes work and the outcomes they deliver. But let’s finish with a shared approach to responsible algorithms, because the time has come.”
“When facts are turned into fiction, and fiction turned into fact, you stop debating ideas and you start debating conspiracy,” she added.
Ardern then ridiculed “keyboard warriors” who disseminate information or content she doesn’t like.
“In my mind, when I read something especially horrific on my feed, I imagine it’s written by a lone person, unacquainted with personal hygiene practices, dressed in a poorly fitted superhero costume – one that is baggy in all the wrong places,” she said.
“Keyboard warrior or not though, it’s still something that has been written by a human, and it’s something that has been read by one too,” she added.
Watch Ardern’s full speech:
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PM Jacinda Ardern in US: MFAT head tests positive for Covid-19 ahead of White House meeting
The Prime Minister is gearing up for a massive week in the United States – capping off her jam-packed programme with the most-coveted of invitations – the White House visit.
Second member of Ardern’s US delegation tests positive for Covid-19
A second member of the Prime Minister’s delegation in the United States has tested positive for Covid-19.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with Trade Minister Damien O’Connor, left, in New York at the start of a US trade mission. Photo: Pool / Christian Carroll
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade chief executive and secretary Chris Seed had already reported as positive.
The Prime Minister’s chief press secretary Andrew Campbell had symptoms and remained in San Francisco when the delegation left. He has since been confirmed as positive for Covid-19 too.
The rest of the delegation, including Jacinda Ardern, are en route to Washington DC where she is due to meet with President Joe Biden on Wednesday morning.
None have symptoms and all returned negative Covid-19 tests before boarding the flight.
The Embassy in Washington DC is in contact with the White House and there have been no changes to the planned meeting with Biden at this stage.
