Mediawatch
Mediawatch examines media coverage in detail, offering insights for those interested in news and media professionals. It provides a critical look at how news is reported and the issues surrounding journalism.
Episodes
Midweek - Top voxpops & eye-witnesses, TVNZ's costly claim, Metro rides again, more attribution angst
Who'll pay for a 'wholly unsuccessful' defamation case against TVNZ? Also: Metro rides again, more attribution angst & a ferry good eye witnessGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Crime coverage gains recognition - and respect, 500-up for Southland stalwart
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
Midweek - anti-nuke angst, gagging, rich list resistance, youth news fails
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
Managing the sugar-free Budget message, TVNZ youth service dies young
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 websiteIn this episode:1:05 How the government managed expectations of a sugar-free Budget 2026 via the media - while media zeroed in
Midweek - Awards and honours, future of papers, journalism by numbers, Dame Jools
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
Public servants cut deep, RNZ boss flags exit, AI for programmes & podcasts
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
Midweek - mayors mouth off, end of the golden weather page
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 getting personal, live sport habits, cockroach radio, MMP maths
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
Midweek - Sherman pile-on and pile-up, TVNZ's big sport play, football frenzies
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
Putting down the broadcast watchdog, deputy PM lashes RNZ & TVNZ
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
Midweek - BSA binned, Voyager sinned, Tame's empty chair & Brown's beefs
Government moves to bin the BSA, Voyager awards bin sponsor, Jack Tame's empty chair & Wayne Brown says 'don't go there' Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
India FTA & butter chicken blurts, TVNZ’s political pressure, stadium rocks rugby
Our FTA with India’s a big deal, but how did our media deal with blurts from opponents - as well as our changing place in a fast-changing world? Also: TVNZ under political pressure - and a new stadium spark rugby joy while the Warriors spark worry. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - Political tension at TVNZ, PM skips Breakfast, the power of noise & silence
TVNZ's political editor under scrutiny - as PM skips Breakfast. Also: Piers Morgan vs Russell Brand in pauses & York City vs Rochdale full noise.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
PM calls time on ‘soap opera’, Microsoft urges NZ to embrace AI, dodgy weather on TV
Reports National MPs might roll their leader sparked a frenzy that prompted the PM's ‘put-up-or-shut-up’ vote. When he won, he told media to shut up too. Fair enough? Also: Microsoft’s main man’s urged NZ to embrace AI while an expert warns our media have a lot to lose - and dodgy weather on TV.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - vote of confidence, TVNZ+ upgrade, dogs on screen
Who's happy after the PM's 'put up or shut up' showdown? Also: TVNZ tweaks its on-demand offering, sheepdogs on screen, one dodgy weather show and one dodgy song. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
News trust up after years of slumps, storm before the calm
Trust in the news is up again after years of decline, the latest annual survey says. But it als says trust in social media is up and more of us tune out the news more often. What’s going on? Also: Vaianu wasn’t as deadly as the media warned. Did they get it wrong?Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteNew Zealanders' trust in news is up after years of slumpsIn this episo
Midweek - Breakfast battles, trust up, Welly woe, piggybacking on others' content
Over-egged media battle at breakfast-time, piggy-backing on others’ content, chronicling the capital's crisis, a surprise bump in trust in our news.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Reporting Trump’s outrageous outbursts, Petrolhead & motoring media adapt to fuel fears
Some say he's unhinged. Others reckon outrageous utterances are part of his media management. How should media handle the stuff Trump says? Also: public figures cutting loose in long podcasts - and is it the best or worst of times for a publication called Petrolhead? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - Trump outburst outrage, Aussie soldier's fall from grace, Phillips doco revelations
Outrageous outbursts from Trump - again. Also: revealing details of the documentary about the Police pursuit of Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips, and a huge fall from grace for a former soldier who took on the Aussie media - and Emile's sweary save. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - BSA extends reach, a bad week for Big Tech, breakfast with Tova and an easter chocolate ban.
The BSA has decided it has jurisdiction over digital outlets like The Platform - hosted by former-RNZer Sean Plunket - sparking heated debate. US Courts find Instagram and YouTube caused harm to children, what does that mean? And a look at Tova O'Brien's Breakfast debut.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Who’s winning the war, where the ad money goes, Chathams spending scandal
The bulk of the big money advertisers spent in our media goes offshore to big online operators. What’s the future for the ad industry here? Also: mixed messages about when the war will end in Iran, and startling spending in the Chathams that hit the headlines too late.Read more about Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:01 Who’s winning the war that’s fouling up the flow of our fuel? Dep
Midweek - media v Hegseth, TVNZ defamation win, SNL from USA to UK. peas piffle
The media chalk up a win in the Pentagon - maybe. Also: TVNZ's comprehensive court win over co-governance campaigner, some bold journalism from newspapers in the South Island, SNL in the UK, Emile's sweary surprise save. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Reporting shortages & petrol panic, privacy v the right to speak out
Reporting shortages without prompting petrol panic. Also: a social media post about the Labour Party leader ended up as headline news - in spite of denials and no-one knowing what’s really true. Does the right to tell a story override others’ right to privacy - or the public interest?
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:50 How the media reacted to the p
Midweek - political leader obsession, Trump v BBC, athletics aesthetic reboot, feijoas are bad
Why are so many stories zeroed in on political party leaders? Also: Trump's wild claims about the BBC, Post and Press online makeover, TVNZ's aesthetic athletics reboot, feijoas must go.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The polls that pressure politics, Country Calendar’s Coro Street-level staying power
The media piled on after one poor poll result, piling more pressure on the PM. Who calls the shots as third parties get in in the act with news media? Also: is Country Calendar current affairs, documentary or reality TV? Or all of the above? And what explains its Coro-level loyalty and longevity?Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:0:47 One poor poll result
Covid quibbling, Iranian opinion and history, ‘Peter Bassett’ update
Another Covid inquiry prompted plenty of pandemic pointscoring - but not so much on the plan for the next one. Also: who speaks for Iranians - and who is Peter Bassett? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
War in the Middle East, political criticism & influence concerns at home, PM still PM
It’s war in the Middle East again, stretching media already stressed by conflict - and nonsense from leaders is not helping. Also: questions about newsrooms’ vulnerability to influence from outside and their inside media companies; poll prompts a flurry over the PM, Country Calendar at 60. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - War breaks out in Iran; PM fluffs his lines; TVNZ's interference fears
Coverage of war breaking out on Iran, influencers' soft power picture shattered, the local angles including a PM punished for fluffing his lines. Also - TVNZ's crime reporting fallout prompt claims of editorial interference.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Govt moves on rough sleepers, reporting Wellington woes, mystery blogger
The government’s moved on rough sleepers and beggars downtown - by giving the police power to move them out of town. How did the media handle that this week? Also: reporting Wellington's bad news; political ad rebuke - and who’s ‘Peter Bassett’? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - Andrew image explodes, goalie's grief goes global, The Press looks back, PM's soc-med scorn,
'That' image of Andrew becomes one of world’s most-reproduced images ever - and a local goalie's grief went global too. Also - The Press looks back on 15 years after the quake; the PM's social content copping extreme scornGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Immigration issue amped up, ceiling for streaming, over-the-top umbrella
Anti-immigration political parties have been boosted in many countries. Now NZ First forcing the issue onto the news agenda. Also: is streaming eating itself? And why did one friendly umbrella gesture end up heavily analysed in our media? Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteLearn more: Mediawatch: Immigration amping up in election year | RNZ NewsIn this episode:0:55 Immigr
Midweek - terrorist's identity conundrum, private functions go very public & AI on ice
Judgments media made reporting the recent court hearing featuring mass-murderer Brenton Tarrant. Also: how two private functions at one private club ended up being very public - and AI accusations on ice at the Winter Olympics.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Infrastructure anxiety hits headlines again, AI slop feeds fake news flood
Solid and liquid sewage is streaming into the sea in the capital, as the government says we need to import gas to ease energy shortages. Flaky infrastructure is an election year issue again - but are the media seeing the big picture as well as the political one? Also: the battle to stop AI ripping off real New Zealand news and flooding Facebook. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - WaPocalypse now, FLOTUS film flop, 'enshitification' outbursts, sweary hero
Turmoil at one of the great names of US media - The Washington Post. Also: the FLOTUS film flop, the sweary hero of our Winter Olympics, an outburst of 'enshitification' Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Bad language on the air & AI in our newsrooms
Surveys say we don't yet trust AI in our news, but a new report shows our newsrooms are all using it - even if they’re not telling us. Another report says we’re more bothered by bad language on air than we have been in the past. But what kind of stuff really offends us? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - Epstein overdrive & icky encounters, more Mauao fallout, Luxon on camera, MediaWorks changes hands
Epstein Files hog headlines worldwide as local angles emerge here. Also: more commentary on the tragedy at Mount Maunganui, the PM copping unfair criticism for his visits to the disaster zones, NZ radio stations under new Aussie ownership - and roadcone nonsense. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Death, devastation and extreme weather test media, NBR copyright crusade confronts customers
The deadly disaster in the north was sparked by weather which was extreme - but no longer unexpected. Media mapped out how it happened and lapses in the response, but copped criticism reporting the role of politics and climate change. Also: NBR's copyright crusade, business news in 2026 - and great sporting headlines. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteDeath, devastation
Midweek - Mauao tragedy under media lens, morning news shake-up, the art of the solo promo
How media reported the Mauao disaster and devastation elsewhere - and political counter-claims at a time of tragedy. Also morning news shake-up ahead, netball's media and money problems, and the art of the solo promo. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Economic forecasts, weather forecasts, summer break clickbait, TVNZ courtroom dramas & a Wellywood vibecheck
How should media handle the mixed messages on the economy as politicians and pressure groups push policy and public opinion? Also: The fall of The House of Du Val, TVNZ’s courtroom dramas, unsettling summer weather forecasts, a clickbait debate about summer breaks & a vibecheck for Wellywood.
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website1:11 Summer weather rage-bait6:02 Wellywood
Midweek - the good, bad and weird of 2025
Colin Peacock and Emile Donovan hand out Mediawatch’s not-very-prestigious and not-at-all coveted annual awards - such as best leading of the media by the nose; worst live media event, and the Billy Connolly Trophy for breaking news about a single animal.
Colin Peacock and Emile Donovan hand out Mediawatch’s not-very-prestigious and not-at-all coveted annual awards - best leading of the media by
'Mother of all debates’ & right v left polarisation of news
The finance minister's pushed back at PR campaign that made news even before it began. The impact of online advocacy on our politics and news was also aired at two conferences this week. A visiting veteran from the US talks about ‘left v right’ and polarisation of trust in the news. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek: PMs hog the screen - but not ours, Coster at length, WBD-what a big deal
Presidents and Prime Ministers happily hogged the screen in TV specials this week - but not our PM. Ex-top cop Andrew Coster broke his silence at length - and big deals are being done in overseas media.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The political push for a social media ban, flatpack fever infects media
Australia’s banning social media for teens, and there’s a slick media campaign for the same here. The PM’s onside, but will the government follow? And why is a social media pioneer resisting this? Also: the media’s fever for foreign flatpack furnishings.Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website0:50 How Ikea’s Auckland opening monopolised the media this week11:00 Midweek Mediwat
Midweek - Luxon rolls on but Dallow's done, intimate image exposure, RNZ boost, premature Xmas
PM pushes back the rumours of a rolling, but Dallow leaves TVNZ. Also: the ethics of intimate image exposure, RNZ's numbers boost - and when is it too soon to wrap up 2025?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Coup claims, Kiwisaver rev-up & do our media get the economy?
The government pledged to ‘build the future’ with its first election policy this week - and TVNZ aired a special about our economic problems. Do our media give us the big picture on our economy? Also: fact-free stories about rolling the PM - and Covid-19 hindsight flip-flops. In this episode: 1:12: Even as he launched his first election policy this week, pitched to ‘build our future,’ Christopher
Midweek - Field family funeral, newspaper bounceback, highway chickens
The Field family's funeral livestreamed, newspaper readership rebound, Press shines a light on who owns Christchurch, but Stuff slips up on the story of a jobless man. Also: why did the chickens cross the road in Tāmaki?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
EV angst, NZ Geo confronts financial fragility
EVs were booming, but incentives have been stripped back and recent reports of fires have fueled safety fears. Has media coverage amped up the danger? Also: a year ago a NZ Geographic revealed its own flaky finances to persuade supporters to step up. How did that work out? Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:06 For a while the EV market boomed with incent
Midweek - more Trump v BBC, Tararua tavern tensions, Emile's Irish slapdown
Trump vs BBC escalates, Irish and Scottish footballers - and Ronaldo - make epic media moments, Emile's Irish podcast slapdown. Also - Tararua tavern tension, Mercep rocks out at Metallica for 1News.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
BBC under pressure from outside - and within
One edit in one episode ended up at the epicentre of major crisis for the world’s biggest public broadcaster. Trump might take the BBC to the cleaners over it while media rivals crank up the damage to its reputation. But is the BBC’s real impartiality problem internal?
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:0:45: How the media responded to the shock news tha
Midweek - Shocker coppers, BBC bloodbath, Te Pāti Māori meltdown
Two top BBC bosses quit in wake of Trump editing scandal, Police top brass blasted by damning IPCA report, Te Pāti Māori meltdown prompts more media criticism.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Saving the marriage between journalism and the people, Duke of Yuck
Surveys say our trust in the news is slipping seriously, but the latest one asks Kiwis why and what might get it back, and an RNZ editor’s new book zeroes in on how to repair the relationship. Also: the downfall of the ‘Duke of Yuck’ yields unexpected local angle. SHOW NOTESRead more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:0:58 The serious slide of New Zealanders’ trust
Midweek - Police v Stuff, Dame Noeline's media blitz, NBR bails up its own customers
Police back away from taking Stuff to court - but issue a warning. Also: Dame Noeline Taurua blows the Silver Ferns saga open again with a media blitz on Monday, and NBR goes legal on its own subscribers.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
OTT on CGT, punching below our weight on media freedom, big rejig in Māori news
Labour bit the bullet on capital gains tax this week, but the political point-scoring was a zero-sum game. Also: a big rejig of Māori news & current affairs funding - and while our leaders have been on the world stage, we’ve been accused of punching below our weight on global media freedom. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:45 The media have been telli
Midweek - severe storms test media, netball keeps media at bay, AI gives voice to the dead
Severe storms bring the best out of media - but climate change mentions raise hackles. Also: netball's top-brass keep exasperated media out of their internal business - while the Silver Ferns do the business on the court, and RNZ's new podcast 'Nark' uses AI to give voice to the dead. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Hearts and minds battle on ‘mega-strike,’ Talley's v TVNZ in court
Lawyers went toe-to-toe in court for weeks over a series of TVNZ news scoops about health and safety - and the broadcaster’s own newsgathering. What can we learn from this high-stakes defamation case? Also - the government fired up a confrontational PR campaign to tell the public this week’s ‘mega-strike’ was about politics, not pay. Did the media get the memo? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for
Midweek - loud calls to call off the broadcasting watchdog, sorry - but not sorry
One complaint to the BSA has the PM claiming 'overreach' and his minister pledging reform - while politicians and lobby groups call for the watchdog to be put down. Paula Penfold ponders personal impact of reputation-ruining scoops.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Pāti-political rift plays out in media, what counts as broadcasting and who decides?
The broadcasting watchdog has told alternative online outlet The Platform it can consider complaints about it - just like TV and radio. Part of the problem is out-of-date media laws. Mediawatch asks the media minister and his opposition counterpart: what counts as broadcasting these days? And how should it be accountable? Also: how Te Pāti Māori’s tensions played out very differently in different
Midweek - Gaza ceasefire, Platform v watchdog, Metro moves, self-selected polls
Media coverage of the Gaza ceasefire, Platform's Plunket pushes back on broadcast watchdog, Metro magazine 'restructures' its full-time staff - and should self-selected polls be allowed in news? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Netball’s PR nightmare, online harm examined again
Netball’s a national sport - and it's natural the media want to know if something’s going wrong at the top. But have media made the game’s current coaching drama worse- at the worst possible time? Also - what to do about online harm was aired in a Parliamentary inquiry this week. But was the purpose of this to prevent regulation that could make it safer?
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more d
Midweek - Winston's window stoush, Māori news funding, RNZ ins-and-outs, Graham Bell
Row over Gaza protest targeting foreign minister's house gets political - and an actress is cut from an ad. Also: RNZ picks new audio chief as two stalwarts depart, Police Ten-7 star Graham Bell, quake clarification for Emile. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Seismic shift on quake-prone properties; ‘Not now’ on Palestinian statehood, current affairs catch-up
The rules are changing for earthquake-prone buildings - and many in the media are praising the savings. But the devil is in the details. Also: how the media responded to our position on Palestinian statehood - and a year and a half after huge cuts to TV current affairs, what’s left - and what next? SHOW NOTESRead more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:07 Owners,
Midweek - Watchdog rules on coverage of teen tragedy, Black Fern feedback & US golf goofs
The Media Council rules RNZ lacked balance reporting the tragic tale of a transgender teen. Also - RNZ cuts arts and culture programming on air, more blowback on Black Ferns coverage claims and US golf fans shame themselves on TVGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Short-term focus on long-term problems; Trump vs media; tackling taboo topics without grievance
Bad news about the economy piling up - and piling pressure on the politicians in charge of it. But are the media shining light in the right places? Also - Trump vs Kimmel and free speech, two stalwarts of TV current affairs promising to tackle taboo topics to increase the peace, not polarisation. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:04 A long look at how b
Midweek - Trump vs comedy & free speech, TVNZ & RNZ's trust, Black Ferns blowback
Trump's aggression puts media on the back foot; good news for RNZ on public trust - and for TVNZ after a spot check for bias; blowback for the Black Ferns after lack of coverage claims; local current affairs and drama back on TV
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
News desert warning, pros & cons of property, Ferns falter, more Phillips fallout
Hardly a news bulletin or newspaper goes by without stuff about houses and property.
But what kind of coverage is it? And what effect does it have? Also - a former editor warns news deserts are creeping up on us, the Ferns falter - and media doing the right thing for the Phillips family. Social media? Not so much . . .
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek - Kirk's killing, rugby (over)reactions, more Phillips fallout
Charlie Kirk's killing prompts strong reactions - even at this distance; 'historic' beating for All Blacks - and more muted coverage of winning Black Ferns; more media fallout from the sad Marokopa saga. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Fugitive family & public interest, Te Pāti Māori v MSM, AI news to save newsrooms?
After fugitive father Tom Phillips' violent death, media made judgements about the public interest, the interests of the children - and what interested the public. Also: Te Pāti Māori seems to be disengaging from non-Maori media - and an ex-RNZer pioneering automated news to boost newsrooms.
SHOW NOTESRead more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:0:00: After the hun
Midweek: Fugitive father saga ends, row over doco and access, left v right
Media go big on the epic - but tragic - tale of fugitive father Tom Phillips; angst over over exclusive access for doco makers- and a columnist's criticism of Mediawatch. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Exaggerating Amazon, end of the ‘foreign ban,’ RNZ flags change in music and arts
Amazon investing billions and creating hundreds of jobs in tech here made breathless headlines earlier this week. But it turned out to be old news - and less than previously announced. How did that happen? Also: how the media handled the end of the ban on foreigners buying flash homes here - and more changes at RNZ.Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:50
Midweek - Friday night lights-out, harsh spotlight, bolt from the boot
Reserve Bank chair's after-hours exit fails to blunt media interest, harsh spotlight on new political candidate, the farmer who survived a bolt from the boot, political reporter returns - and the return of The Mish. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
RNZ’s bid to stop the National slide, minding your Ps & Cs
The new plan to stop RNZ National losing listeners - and a harsh review of the network’s capability and culture. How’s RNZ’s boss handling this - and what listeners really want? Also - rude words that sparked complaints but didn't break the rules.Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:48 RNZ National’s been losing listeners for years, and now they have a ne
Midweek: TVNZ starts charging, NZME loses cash, RNZ gains listeners
TVNZ launches its first paid-for product, NZME announces a $400k loss and the composition of its new editorial board - and RNZ's listenership snakes upward for the first time since 2022.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Image problems, clawing cash back from AI crawlers, gentle political whispers
One woman became the unwilling face of a political cause she strongly opposed because her image was for sale online - and one outlet faked photos of a whanau to 'protect its mana.' What are the ethics of stock images? Also - 'gentle whispers' of political succession, and can the media claw back cash from AI crawling their content online?
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ webs
Midweek: RNZ's radio plan, conflict of interest complaint, ugly ad
RNZ's strategy to stop the loss of radio listeners sparks a strong reaction from pundits - and the listeners. Also - a political party proves a point using the official complaints process- and irritating ads for insurance.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Statehood stoush, poll ’predictions,’ RNZ’s loss of listeners, do media deliver what Kiwis expect?
How the media handled controversy over recognising Palestine - two political opinion polls in a day. Also: RNZ prepping out a plan to stop the loss of listeners as a former news chief tells the top brass to make big changes and - do Kiwis believe the media deliver what they promise?Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:16 The intense debate in the media thi
Midweek: Assassinations in Gaza, poll chaos, ad backlash
A crew of Al Jazeera journalists are assassinated in Gaza, two political polls in a day fire up the media, and an ad from Hobson's Pledge prompts a backlash - and a debate about ethical use of photos. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
NCEA not achieved, Trump’s tariff ‘surprise,’ magazines on the block
The media graded NCEA as ‘not achieved’ after the government proposed dumping it this week. Headlines here called Trump’s 15 per cent tariff on our exports ‘a surprise.’ But was it? Also - the prospects for some of our most popular and enduring magazines, which are up for sale across the Tasman again. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek: Reality TV on the public purse, RNZ tweaks, Donnell goneburger, french lesson
Public purse picking up part of the bill for local reality TV, RNZ tweaks Morning Report, Hayden Donnell goneburger from Mediawatch, Colin taught a French lesson.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
FBI-NZ; paywave politics, media's Gaza dilemma, MEX folds after 160 years
The headline-making secret visit of the FBI's top guy, the politics of paywave, and starvation in Gaza hitting home for news outlets. Also: the Marlborough Express folded this week after 160 years in print. What is lost when local news goes online-only? And is it a sign of things to come for others? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Midweek: Starvation in Gaza, announcements of announcements, polling on a whim
Pressure goes on The Platform over a tweet from its founder, the government gets the media to cover an announcement of an announcement, and a polling company chief puts out a question on a whim - with interesting results.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
