Mediawatch

The backers of the second official inquiry into the Covid response say it’s crucial for preparing us for the next pandemic - but the media mostly zeroed in on whether big-name politicians would show up. Also: TVNZ checking itself for bias, a fresh flurry of media French-ification; and do we need to brace for more ‘fiscal hole’ fury in Election 2026? Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on th...

The closure of more local newspapers, further fallout for the BBC and the ABC over editorial handling of Gaza, senior RNZ exec resigns - and peacock persecution. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mediawatch looks at a sudden slew of stuff on screen about life at the coal face in health, hospitals and hospices. Is the up close and personal approach also political? Speaking of political . . . bosses at two big broadcasters have ended up in the gun this week over other peoples’ opinions about Israel and Gaza - and political leaders line up the media for more criticism. Go to this episode on r...

A new podcast questions the 'lone wolf' narrative around the Christchurch terror attack, Newsroom asks some hard questions about the state housing sell-off, Stuff's TradeMe deal gets finalised - ZB's Hosking clashes with education minister on 'Māorification' Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It was hard for media all around the world to work out what happened in the Middle East. But claims that WW3 and global recession might be upon us here were rolled back within a day. Also: Chat GPT’s been accused of lying, making stuff up and gaslighting a UK journalist and Google’s AI seems to be telling us what we want to hear. Is AI human after all? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more deta...

The media’s difficulties sorting out the truth in the Middle East escalation,entrepreneur cites negative coverage selling her dating business, David Seymour taking on the media - again - and fundraising. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Debate’s raging over private and public provision of surgery - and sick leave surged to the top of the agenda all of a sudden, sparked by an unlikely source. Also: media minister grilled in Parliament's Scrutiny Week - and property piffle on TV Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website Debate’s been raging over whether private or public providers should be the key to cutting wa...

RNZ challenged over a troubling tale of a transgender teenager who died alone from anorexia, ZB's Ryan Bridge's performs a hot-take talk radio turnaround on the economy, Emile's voluntary redundancy hotline Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Some local election hopefuls are already pitching policies publicly. Are media checking them out before putting them in the news? Also: an Aussie once in charge of our papers talks about where the media is heading - and a play about authoritarian over-reach in 1950s America echoes what’s happening now. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Coverage of the aggro in LA; media feel the heat from advocacy ads, why David Seymour snubs Morning Report, the controversy created by dangerous combat-type cash prize contests Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The same day Stuff twinned up with Trade Me, its big rival NZME overhauled its board and ushered in a self-described 'agitator' from overseas. But both are banking on profitable property platforms at the heart their business. Good thing for media that need money - or a plague on both their houses? Also - the backlash against the backlash against dangerous games. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for...

Stuff/Trade me marriage, NZME settles board stoush. Also - teething troubles at the Herald’s new show, the pivot to video - and the power of the edit in politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The state of climate change reporting in a changed political climate - and a time when the media have their own existential emergency. Also - how the Run It Straight went from social media phenomenon to national news media controversy. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Herald's new streaming news show, RNZ National listeners tuning out, David Seymour's political past under the spotlight. On Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Emile Donovan Nights this week on RNZ National - the Herald's new streaming news show, RNZ National listeners tuning out, and David Seymour's political past under the spotlight. This Midweek Mediawatch also discusses develo...

The media make a big deal of the Budget every year, even though the big money’s already been announced. But what was in it for the media this year? Also: vanguard vs the rearguard on AI in the media; political push-back on social media and more bad language - and the perils of cold-calling folks live on air. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website The media make a drama out o...

After days being berated for deploying the c-word, Andrea Vance was named political journalist of the year. Meanwhile Stuff took on Stuff, and Winston Peters' pre-Budget announcement went off the rails at a railway station Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Coverage of the outcry sparked by the sudden change to legislation for pay equity claims - and how one rude word in one newspaper column derailed the debate. Also - AI at the BBC: how the world’s biggest broadcaster is using AI in news and programmes. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website The sudden change to legislation for pay equity claims sparked a huge political outcry...

Midweek - Sunday Star Times C-bomb dropped on ministers rocks the House, and the issue that sparked it - gender pay equity. Also - the government's move to ban social media for under-16s got big backing this week - and the possible truce in the NZME boardroom battle. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

An entire generation's grown up with little regulation of their digital world. But this week there was a sudden surge of political concern about social media for teens. Also: NZ Rugby’s in the red even though its income from TV's topped $100m. But netball’s got no broadcaster beyond this year for its top comp. Is it a warning for sports that need TV money to pay players? Go to this episode on rnz....

A new compromise candidate emerges to lead NZME - along with some undisclosed outsourcing. Also: 1News scoop about Erica Stanford's emails draws fire from talk radio, a politics podcast podcast's sudden self-destruction - and NZ climbs media freedom ladder by default. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Media assumptions about election outcomes were upended in Canberra and Canada this week - and guessing the result of upcoming ones in Wellington and the Vatican suddenly seem risky. Is picking political winners now a fool’s game? Also: cranky calls for military service based on bad stats - and the latest on that bitter boardroom battle at NZME. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A controversial documentary series by TVNZ’s John Campbell - which didn’t quite kick off like it was meant to. Also: 'Peoples Pope' farewelled, US media's annual White House party fall flat. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The health sector throws up stories of serious crisis almost daily, but journalists find hard data hard to get. Also: media freedom worries increasing around the world - and Winston Peters' 'threat' to RNZ. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Pope Francis's death prompts breaking news weirdness, Winston Peters butts heads with RNZ, identical Aussie twins go viral with synchronised eye-witness account, a Wellington councilor's on-the-record outburst - and a housing headline excluding renters Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Jailed journalist Peter Greste tells Mediawatch about the worst times in his life up on the big screen in 'The Correspondent.' Also - the country’s main Christian broadcaster Rhema is bucking the trend of media contraction - even though its target market's shrinking and appealing to a broad church is tough in these polarised times. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details