Radio New Zealand's boss issued an apology for airing what he called "pro-Kremlin garbage.".
After it was discovered that several online reports about the conflict in Ukraine had been changed to favor Russia, a journalist was placed on leave.
Since Friday, when staff members were notified, about 250 stories have already undergone forensic analysis, according to chief executive Paul Thompson.
A total of sixteen stories have been edited, and thousands more will be reviewed.
It really is disappointing. My heart is broken. That hurts. It's shocking, he said, speaking on RNZ's Nine to Noon program. "We need to determine exactly what happened. ".
The organization's editing procedures would be subject to an external review, according to Mr. Thompson.
The journalist in question asserts that she has been editing news agency material for years before it was posted on the RNZ website.
According to a statement on state-owned RNZ, the 16 stories had been corrected and published with editor's notes after problems were found with them.
Mr. Thompson has apologized to the Ukrainian community, readers, listeners, and staff.
This pro-Kremlin nonsense has ended up in our stories, which is so disappointing, Mr. Thompson said to Nine to Noon. "This is unacceptable. ".
While Ukraine and the rest of the international community do not recognize Russia's occupation of Ukraine's southern peninsula, the edited articles made claims about Russia's illegitimate annexation of Crimea following a referendum.
A resolution outlining the referendum's legitimacy has been adopted by the UN.
Helen Clark, a former leader of New Zealand, stated in a tweet that she expected more from the public broadcaster.
It is "extraordinary" she wrote, "that there is so little editorial oversight at Radio New Zealand, that someone employed by/contracted to them was able to rewrite online content to reflect pro-Russia stance without senior staff noticing.".
One of New Zealand's most frequently visited news websites is RNZ's.
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