Counterspin Media

Counterspin Media logo

Counterspin Media is a far-right,[1][2] anti-vaccine, and conspiracy theorist New Zealand online media platform that was founded in May 2021.[3][4]

Counterspin Media has opposed the New Zealand Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic including COVID-19 vaccination policies.[5][6] In early 2022, the group played a leading role in the 2022 Wellington protest. Newsroom journalist Marc Daalder has described Counterspin Media as "one of the largest platforms for conspiracy theories and far-right ideology in New Zealand", while Stuff journalist Charlie Mitchell has described it as New Zealand's equivalent of the US website InfoWars.[7][8]

In August 2022, Counterspin Media's founders, Kelvyn Alp and Hannah Alp, were arrested and charged by the New Zealand Police for allegedly distributing objectionable material, shortly after Alp was banned from Instagram for encouraging violence.[9][10] They were subsequently arraigned and brought to Christchurch Central Court,[11] during which supporters gathered outside and Alp and Spierer refused to appear in the dock.[12] They appeared at court again that December with no visible supporters outside.[1]

  1. ^ a b "No supporters show up for far-right Counterspin Media pair's latest court appearance". RNZ. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. ^ Kenny, Jake (6 December 2022). "Founders of far-right media platform Counterspin back in court". Stuff. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Counterspin Media Limited". New Zealand Companies Office. 4 May 2022. Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  4. ^ Gill, Sinead (25 August 2022). "Hosts of far-right media outlet Counterspin reportedly arrested and charged". The Press. Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  5. ^ Clark, Bryon (1 September 2021). "The radical right in gumboots". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  6. ^ Cooke, Henry (2 November 2021). "Covid-19 NZ: Jacinda Ardern press conference in Northland disrupted by anti-vax heckling". Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  7. ^ Daalder, Marc (12 February 2022). "'Splintered realities': How NZ convoy lost its way". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Charlie (12 February 2022). "Inside the disorienting, contradictory swirl of the convoy, as seen through its media mouthpiece". Stuff. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Conspiracy theory couple charged with distributing objectionable material". NZ Herald. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Far-right group Counterspin Media booted off Instagram after host called for violence". Newshub. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Angry scenes outside court as hosts of far-right media site appear". NZ Herald. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).