FACT Aotearoa isn’t surprised by the disappearance of the Voices For Freedom-backed radio station Reality Check Radio, sometimes referred to as “Rabbit Hole Radio”. In spite of their attempts to portray their audience as substantial, Voices For Freedom now say “we need funding to continue”. A recent advertising campaign notwithstanding, they have pulled not only their station, but their entire archive from the web, presumably from lack of funds.
Perhaps they realised that their decision to openly employ, feature and promote people associated with a more radical right-wing agenda than they had previously admitted to was a strategic error. By removing the archive as well as live links, they may be hoping their audience will forget the attempts to radicalise them, and return to the fold.
It could be a stunt, setting things up for a triumphant “back by popular demand”. If it is, it’s cynical. Rather than growing their audience they’re going to exploit it: “You are under attack. RCR are your only protection. But we’re broke, so give us your money”
Reality Check Radio’s page pleading for donations offers a laundry list of contemporary conspiracy theories. Removing the archive is not about reviewing the conspiratorial world-view. A sombre video claims they are all that is standing between your “normal life” and dark forces. Voices For Freedom remains comfortable with their transformation from anti-vaxxers and critics of public health measures into full-blown conspiracy theory advocates. But the jump to presenters and guests with known connections to the alt-right is an all-too-clear confirmation of what many of us have pointed out. This is not just an advocacy group, it’s a pipeline to the radical right.
Through Reality Check Radio, Voices For Freedom have been desperately trying to persuade a country recovering from a cyclone, with increasingly extreme climate variations, and tragic events like the Australian wildfires, that a changing climate is a myth. Their climate denial reached the level of absurdity when they asked listeners to fear plans to make it easier to walk to schools, doctors and supermarkets in urban areas because it was, supposedly, all part of a sinister globalist plot.
Some of their supporters still remain loyal in spite of the dire predictions failing to materialise. Vaccine mandates and passes no longer apply. The vaccinated didn’t suddely all die off. Neither the WHO nor the IMF have taken over. Our borders have reopened. There is still food for sale.
Reality Check Radio promoted the tactic of “pink pilling”, telling its audience to hide their true beliefs and instead take a slow, gradual approach to radicalising others. But they didn’t follow their own advice. They probably are low in funds as they are, after all, not popular. It could be that in removing their archive they may also be trying to put the mask back on, to smooth off the jagged radical-right corners of their pink pill, hoping people will forget the reality of what Reality Check Radio station really is. This is unlikely to work.
We know the transition away from conspiracy groups can be hard and we hope our followers can support friends and family members who make this journey.
