News
Media pile pressure on MPs' misbehaviour and missteps
One MP’s past misbehaviour put pressure on National - then another claimed bullying was rife in Labour during what turned into an expectedly turbulent week in party politics for the media. But even…
Video, AudioMediawatch: Mounting fake news prompts calls for action
Two government agencies have revealed mounting concern about the intensity and the impact of online misinformation - and prompted loud calls for government action. But behind the scenes the…
Video, AudioGreens’ grass roots 'revolt' excites media
Parliament’s press pack and political pundits alike made a big deal of Greens’ grass roots dissent undermining James Shaw’s leadership after last week’s AGM. But only a few of the many reports and…
AudioMidweek Mediawatch - Climate context & Hawaiian holidays
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Bryan Crump about a big resignation at TVNZ, media outlets getting it right on climate coverage, news stories vanishing without…
AudioCriticism of mini-doco funding hits a dead end
Why did criticism of a modest sum spent on a single mini-documentary made two years ago suddenly spring up in the news in two national networks this week - and then disappear?
Video, AudioMedia go in boots ‘n all on ABs coach - and comms
An effort to shield the under-fire All Blacks coach from a media mauling last weekend fired up commentators already cranky about the high-handedness of rugby bosses. But given the intensity of some…
Audio'Double your money' property pitches still circulating
Property prices are sliding after decades of big returns for investors - and property stories and ads have been highly profitable for the media in that time too. Recent warnings the ‘one way bet' on…
AudioThe worst of times?
There‘s plenty of worrying news around at the moment - alongside crisis claims in the media about imminent economic recession and even collective national depression. Are the media helping us identify…
AudioHospo's acute recruitment hassles hit headlines again
Hospitality's acute shortage of workers made headlines again this week after one minister told operators to up their game on pay and conditions. While bosses told media they can’t find workers no…
AudioNew minister in charge at a pivotal media moment
Legislation to create a new public media entity entered Parliament this week. Mediawatch talks to the new broadcasting minister Willie Jackson about how that will work, the future of Māori media - and…
AudioTragic crash sparks muddled media reaction
In the wake of one of our deadliest car crashes, the media upset some by lingering on the aftermath. Pundits and radio hosts claimed costly advertising campaigns came at the cost of safer roads - but…
AudioPublic media: new name, new law, new minister, old questions
Draft legislation for a new public media entity was finally made public this week - and the new broadcasting minister also made his first appearance in that role in Parliament. But while MPs were…
Audio'Brexit bad boy' libel loss hailed as win for media
A self-styled 'bad boy of Brexit' who promised to make "mayhem and mischief" in politics here has lost a long-running libel case against a journalist who alleged he had ties to Russia. Media freedom…
Video, AudioWhistleblower law leaves media out of the loop
The Protected Disclosures Act was updated for the first time in 20 years recently with little fanfare or media attention. The government says it better protects whistleblowers who stick their necks…
AudioMidweek Mediawtch - Platty Jubes & mean Swedes
Midweek Mediawatch: Colin Peacock talks to Bryan Crump about a Christopher Luxon profile that fired up critics - and how the Internet turned on Sweden - while the UK got a glut of good global PR from…
AudioPhotojournalism fundraiser highlights history in images
When former Herald illustrations editor Rob Tucker put out a call for photos to auction for charity, photographers around the country responded with a stunning array of images which will be sold off…
AudioTwo decades of internet disruption
The Internet hasn’t just disrupted the media business in this millennium so far: it’s transformed it - and, in some cases, overwhelmed it. As he steps down after two decades at Internet NZ, Jordan…
AudioSlaves to the algorithm?
Big tech and social media bosses pledged to eradicate online extremism in Christchurch Call three years ago in Paris - and today they claim atrocities which echo the 15 March massacre don't go viral…
AudioPublic media's future funding made public - partly
After months of behind-closed-doors planning, Budget 2022 has at last put some fresh figures for the government's planned public media entity into the public domain. The increase in public funding is…
AudioOutgoing chief censor calls for media regulation re-jig
The Chief Censor’s Office used to worry about the odd boundary-pushing book, film or video game. These days it's extreme stuff published online that forms the bulk of the work. David Shanks leaves…
AudioTop TV cop show returns after racism review
A year ago, the country’s top cop show - Police Ten-7 - was under fire for racial stereotyping. The show's makers rejected that - and so did their partners in the Police. But broadcaster TVNZ ran a…
AudioMidweek Mediawatch: Rule it out? Cut it out!
Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. This week Colin Peacock talks to Karyn Hay about taxing the rich becoming a hot topic for political reporters - and one who says it's time to cut out 'rule it…
AudioMidweek Mediawatch - Gotcha vs Google it, mate
Midweek Mediawatch - Colin Peacock talks to Karyn Hay about an Aussie politician whose ‘Google it, mate’ riposte to a reporter’s ‘gotcha’ question struck a chord recently - and the otherwise invisible…
AudioMeasuring trust is tricky with suspicious minds
Last year the biggest annual survey of Kiwis’ trust in news found it was on the slide, though it wasn’t quite clear why. Since then there’s been plenty of anti-media sentiment at anti-government…
AudioPushback against the upswing of political nastiness
Online abuse of politicians is on the rise - especially for women, including the PM and local councilors. This week one was able to unmask her anonymous abuser and the media played a part. But this…
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