Summarised by Centrist
A little-known government programme intended to combat violent extremism has funded dozens of online initiatives. While the stated purpose is public safety, sceptics say the PCVE fund blurs the line between counter-terrorism and political influence. The concern is that public money may be used to support ideological narrative control online, especially if views outside the mainstream are labelled dangerous.
The Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Fund, run by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, has awarded grants to groups targeting what they describe as online disinformation, radicalisation, and identity-based harm.
Among the projects funded: bystander training to intervene in online “hate,” cyber safety programmes aimed at autistic youth, content to counter “mis/disinformation,” and digital storytelling workshops focused on minority groups. Some of these grants were as high as $50,000.
One project involved producing counter-narrative media content. Another offered online “bystander training” to equip citizens to intervene against what funders define as extremist speech. A third-funded religious leader is training to help “counter extremist messaging,” raising questions about state involvement in faith-based spaces.
Government officials have not confirmed whether any oversight mechanisms exist to ensure funded content remains politically neutral.
Supporters argue such initiatives are essential to counter online radicalisation and foreign influence. But critics warn that aligning political power with online content moderation risks undermining free speech and fostering what Matua Kahurangi described as “manufactured consent in democratic disguise.”
