Mediawatch

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

Does TV doco Polk live up to the hype - or live down to the claims of tabloid clickbait? Also - further feedback on 'trust in news', new unofficial register lifts the lid on lobbying a little. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Another year - another drop in trust in the news here, according to the biggest annual survey of it. But the slump seems to have stalled and some outlets have even gained trust this time round - though we’re still world leaders in ‘news avoidance.’ Mediawatch looks at all this - and talks to a Canadian confronting the same trends there. New Zealanders’ trust in the news has been falling for years...

An outdoor ad company buys the country's largest radio network, NZME launches a positive news campaign - and Hayden launches an unauthorised theme tune. Also -Green MP Benjamin Doyle speaks out about a toxic online campaign against them that garnered widespread media coverage - and dire fake news about wolves. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Just two companies have carved up most of our grocery bills for years. The government says change is coming - but many in the media don't seem to believe it;s possible. Also - our media’s slumping share of ad income, and local papers' paper dispute. Just two companies have carved up most of what we’ve spent on grocery shopping for years. Now the government says change is coming to the duopoly - bu...

Green MP's social media spark controversy - and claims the media ran shy of the story. Also: NZME's bitter battle for control rumbles on, and the broadcasting watchdog sanctions Stuff for a ThreeNews scoop that fell short on fairness, balance and accuracy. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Are media confusing us with claims of green shoots in the economy at the same time as headlining more dire data? Also: the epic security fail at the top of the Trump regime that gave a journalist the easiest scoop he'll ever get - and the battle for control of NZME ramps up with a flurry of letters. But first -- it’s not news that our economy;s been going backwards - and the numbers on that don’t...

Billionaire Jim Grenon's letter-writing spree as he tries to take control of NZME's board & a click-driven incentive scheme at the company. Also - more journalists are killed in Gaza & an Oscar-winning filmmaker assaulted; Stuff quietly drops a disclosure commitment from its AI policy. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Kiwi lifting the lid on Facebook's been gagged before she could talk to RNZ. Why? And what did she say before Meta called its lawyers? Also: news publishers' ownership in play & lifestyle journalism's being squeezed by our cash-strapped media, but RNZ’s boosting it and the country’s oldest magazine is shifting its focus. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details