Mediawatch

Sunday’s no longer a day of rest in politics, as parties pump out policies to set the media agenda. Also: TikTok’s economic impact claims - and what the app is good for in business and politics; reports of diapers on the dancefloor. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website In this episode: 00:55 Policies on parental leave, Pharmac funding and AI data centres were all mixed up...

What might new cuts at Stuff mean? Also - political candidates and a 'prominent sportsperson' suffer the spotlight, fun-flation & the unfortunate consequences at live gigs. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

One sexist text to a podcasting politico had National gnashing their teeth, but it wasn’t the only political dignity deficit in the news this week. Also: are podcasts popular enough for people to pay enough for the makers to make a living here? Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website In this episode: 00:54 Coverage of Nash’s text going public - and other political dignity def...

World Cup v golf, Argentina v The World, US v Iran, Israel v Palestine- and a teary tribute to a Marton mainstay. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

ACT’s unveiling of Paul Henry triggered a media frenzy - and claims the shock jock might shirk the work it takes to make it in politics. Also: how Sam Neill’s shock death stopped the news & Stuff’s new digital bid to hook local news readers. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website In this episode: 1:19 Sam Neill’s death shocked the media, but his depth and range were duly hon...

Sam Neill's shock death jolted our media - but they admirably honoured his depth and range. Paul Henry and Count Binface candidacies captivates media, court news in podcast form. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The biggest survey of news habits says more people now pick social media platforms than actual news media for news. And more of us are watching news on them rather than reading it. Also: claims that point-scoring, headline-hungry politicians undermine trust in news. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Who pays the big bill for a 'wholly unsuccessful' defamation case? Also: Facebook whistleblower still gagged and NRL, NPC, FIFA on TV - but will Kiwis warm to AI rugby fans? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The government wants more listeners, more efficiency and greater public trust from RNZ’s new chair and board. How will he respond, and what will change? Also: Opportunity’s backlash, and political tax tussles on social media. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Latest lid-lifting Gloriavale doco draws criticism - and viewers worldwide. Also: new Post leader upgrades its leaders, World Cup losers & winners, Mediawatch's alarming update. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The media seized on the prospect of a new political party as ‘queenmaker’ - mostly off the back of one poll. Also: the outgoing editor of The Post Tracy Watkins on big changes under new leadership and in her 40+ years in journalism. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website In this episode: 00:56 TV shows ‘big two’ support on the slide while minor parties prosper. 03:10 Media p...

A huge few days of sport preoccupied the media - including singing Scots' masterclass of social media soft power. Also, revamps and relaunches at RNZ, Herald and Stuff, a new news-ish podcast from The Spinoff - and an alarming moment on Mediawatch. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Politicians are already pumping out counter-claims about the costs of each other’s election-year policies, frustrating citizens and the media. Is there a better way? Also: media minister under scrutiny at Parliament - and reviving Metro at a tough time for publishing. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The All Whites are punching above their media weight at the World Cup. Also: the hoo-hah sparked by The Post picking Matthew Hooton as editor, more RNZ changes flagged, Supernanny's sweary backing for social media ban Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

TVNZ's screening the FIFA World Cup and UFC, but for the first time Kiwis will have to pay them to see it all. Also: HBO becomes the latest streamer seeking subscribers here - and will our homegrown TV platform Freeview stay 100% free? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Who'll pay for a 'wholly unsuccessful' defamation case against TVNZ? Also: Metro rides again, more attribution angst & a ferry good eye witness Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Crime coverage was heavily criticised in the past as too tabloid. Now it's getting greater respect and recognition. Mediawatch asks RNZ’s award-winning crime correspondent Sam Sherwood what’s changed. Also: 500-up for a dogged solo Southland newshound. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

How one freelancer prompted a 'freeloader' claim that propelled our anti-nuke policy into the news. Also: two efforts to gag the media, NBR puts up 'rich list' resistance, NZ's dismal youth news history. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

How media managed the message of a 'sugar-free' Budget, and highlighted entitlements for MPs. Also what the Budget might mean for our media, and why an award-winning youth service closed down for good this week. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website In this episode: 1:05 How the government managed expectations of a sugar-free Budget 2026 via the media - while media zeroed i...

Awards in tense times between politics & media, RNZ's ratings, pondering papers' future, journalism by numbers - and the death of Dame Jools Topp. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Media-weigh up cuts to public service and claims AI can fill the gap. Also: RNZ's long-serving boss flags his exit amid political calls for change, AI for programme-makers and podcasters. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Two mayors mouth off and get a little loose in long-form chats - and a former one blasts the media in a Waitangi Tribunal inquiry. Also: Stuff papers dump the weather page- and some talkback callers aren't happy. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Politicians vs media: the worst it’s ever been, and getting worse? Or just more of the butting heads between the powerful and the press we’ve always had? Also: live sport’s not just a TV and radio game these days, radio is a cockroach (and cheap) and an MMP maths fail. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Maiki Sherman's exits sparks a pile-on and a pile-up of opinions. Also: TVNZ's bold sports plays, frenzied football finales. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The government wants to scrap the BSA and fill the accountability void with self-regulation. Would that work? Would standards suffer? Will it happen at all? Also: ministers must not interfere in public broadcasters, but the Deputy PM has sounded off about RNZ, TVNZ and its outgoing political editor. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details