Ex-New Zealand Premier Jacinda takes on new role to fight terrorism, extremist content online

ANKARA (AA) – Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been appointed special envoy for the Christchurch Call to fight against extremism and terrorist content online.

While announcing his government’s decision, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement that the newly created position will represent New Zealand’s continued commitment to pushing for greater online protection from terrorist and violent extremist content.

“The Christchurch Call is a foreign policy priority for the Government and Jacinda Ardern is uniquely placed to keep pushing forward with the goal of eliminating violent extremist content online,” Hipkins said.

The special envoy will begin her duties on April 17 and will report directly to the prime minister.

“Terrorist and violent extremist content online is a global issue, but for many in New Zealand, it is also very personal. The March 15 terror attacks on Christchurch masjidain were a defining moment for our country and Jacinda Ardern’s leadership and the Christchurch Call is part of our response to those attacks,” said the prime minister.

Hipkins was referring to the March 15, 2019, terrorist attack, in which Brenton Tarrant, an Australian white supremacist, killed 51 people and injured 40 more at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in the city of Christchurch.

“Jacinda Ardern’s commitment to stopping violent extremist content like we saw that day is key to why she should carry on this work. Her relationships with leaders and technology companies and her drive for change will help increase the pace and ambition of the work we are doing through the Christchurch Call,” he said.

The Christchurch Call is an unprecedented global initiative involving governments, the tech sector, and civil society to eradicate terrorist and violent extremist content from the internet. It has delivered new online safety tools and systems, with the support of many of those who run the platforms where this content is shared.

“Work is also underway in new areas, like the way algorithms affect radicalization and how the implications of fast-rising tech such as AI and augmented reality can be exploited by terrorists and violent extremists,” Hipkins said.​​​​​​​