Mediawatch

The big debates are done, but the election onslaught rolls on - even on YouTube in the sauna. Also: Stuff urged to scrap regional news cuts, TVNZ staff walk out - and sentimental soundtracks in the news.

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Law and order was under the radar this election, until candidates campaigning at gang events hit the headlines. Also: both big parties want to ban social media for U-16s. A tech expert in the ‘NZ of the North’ says he has a better way.

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Almost all-election almost all-the-time as voting nears. Also, the gang visit scandal, Parents Alliance examined - and more journalists' jobs on the line.

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Education became a hot topic as political parties pitched their election pledges at parents this week - and a new advocacy group pushed the issue in the media. Also: Australia pushes social media jeopardy back onto platforms & a sheep mascot scandal goes global.

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Election debates keep on coming, platforming the 'major' and 'minor' leaders. Could a costings unit cut back the scraps? Also: did Nights and Hayden Donnell's Kiwibank scoop give Jon Oliver the wrong idea about NZ radio? Do our culture wars rate, and is BS OK on air?

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A random election debate question about extreme wealth struck a chord this week. Also: a local reporter’s role in an award-winning Reuters investigation of illicit oil shipping, and a new RNZ series runs the rule over reality TV.

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The debates, the political panels, the interviews and ads and interactive innovations are all cranking up in intensity as general election voting looms.

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As the election campaign got underway officially, media seized on arguments about overhangs and vote-splitting dividing both sides. Also: RNZ’s next boss unveiled, and the light touch and depth of the late Phil Gifford.

In this episode:

1:06 Election campaigns kick off with a storm of slogans, swearing, disputed tax attacks & a TV poll complicating the picture.

10:12 Debates on left and right about engineering an overhang.

14:36 Who is the next boss at RNZ, Jason Winstanley?

19:50 RNZ board chair Brent Impey on the announcement - and his track record at top-rating Newstalk ZB.

32:02 Remembering Phil Gifford - and the ‘Loosehead Len’ legacy

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RNZ's named its next CEO as Jason Winstanley, a current Newstalk ZB stalwart. If you can't beat them, hire them? Also: official election launch parties kickstart a campaign already well under way - and Colin can't sew.

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Critics complained there was no smoking gun. Supporters said it shone a light on a sinister spiderweb. How did the media handle Dirty Work? Also: journalism jobs at risk in the regions, the plan to scrap the broadcasting watchdog, propaganda & pie prices

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What mark has Nicky Hager's 'Dirty Work' made 24 hours after a rock gig-like launch? Also - TVNZ doco spotlights Kiwi preppers, & Deputy PM buries his boycott of Morning Report

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The fugitive Tom Phillips was huge news when the hunt for him ended tragically a year ago - and again with this week’s official report. But can our media tell the full story even now? Also: a new media lab with a journalist-in-residence - and retail politics colliding with the politics of retail.

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The Phillips report the media have been waiting for. Also: CRL is go, media mascot v mascot, live election event tension & the hyrox horror

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The media seized on the politics of food this week, when the Greens floated state-owned supermarkets and 1News lifted the lid on emergency food grant refusals. Also: who pays when journalism dies? And does it really matter if it does?

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TVNZ takes Stuff exec for next news chief - next year, the legacy of a long-serving cartoonist, mascots make a marketing comeback, Sky TV offside again with fans again for live foul-up

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Odds from Polymarket are popping up in our news, even though it's illegal here. But are prediction markets a legit source of news anyway? Also: head-to-head clashes between politicians, and with presenters, are heating up, but not always generating light.

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In this episode:

1:10 Media picking apart political bickering over delayed fuel tax.

5:50 Greens double down on misleading claims about MPs houses.

8:02 Act pushed back on media criticism of policy to put ‘reside’ back in ‘residency’ rules.

11:35 ZB host takes on Wellington mayor on Tiaki Wai rollout.

17:05 Polymarket predictions popping up in our news, six months after it became illegal for NZers to use.

23:11 Newsroom.co..nz senior business reporter Andrew Bevin on how prediction markets work and whether their odds are legit news or not.

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Was the Capetown flyover a PR masterstroke or disaster? Also - netball's bounceback, animal ads & monkey media mascots and an election debate update.

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The two big political parties want to pull the plug on social media for teens. But will ‘fast-following’ Australia work? Also: TV broadcasters cite soccer in boosted financials - and Dolly’s death triggers sadness.

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Media amp up the 'Great Rugby Rivalry'. Also: RNZ ratings, NZME results, Whakaata Māori changes, Raw Politics returns.

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It’s a full time job these days working out who the audience is, what they want and if they might get it elsewhere. What does the the biggest survey yet of Kiwis' media habits tell them about us? Also: politicians twitch about media, big tech and tax.

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In this episode:

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00:48 Politicians twitch over taxing big tech - and why media policy’s rarely a priority for political parties with an eye on elections.

10:02: The Empire Strikes Back? The latest WATA? survey shows ‘old’ local media more popular with more Kiwis, while previously fast-rising online offshore offerings are in retreat.

17:30 NZ on Air chief exec Cameron Harland says 2026 WATA? shows Kiwi media habits maturing into a balance of free vs paid, local vs global platforms. How does that influence where NZOA spends $100m a year of our money on content?

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RNZ could shed 10 percent of staff in a year - as its digital audience hits new heights. Also - a round-up of political alt-media and old-media action, including Jackson v Garner

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A single Herald story sparked a political drama and a media frenzy could have toppled the PM, but didn't . . . again. Also: the big TV election debates have yet to be set yet this time. But one indie outlet is already getting heavy hitters together to talk policy.

In this episode:

1:23 The media didn’t make up the move against the PM this week - but the made a lot of it, any many picked the wrong victor

14:13 Election debates are usually hotly contested - but not yet this time, so far

24:00 Pat Brittenden on the Big Hairy News debates around the country, persuading politicians to take part - and indie media eating the MSM’s lunch

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PM still standing after repeat defeat of foes. Also: MediaWorks sold offshore, commentator heads for court over claims made online, are NZ media audiences maturing? And Tangy Fruits were lame.

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How did a single media inquiry stop a multi-million-dollar health programme for prisons? Also: political parties competing for media attention on their election policies; politicians talking s*** - literally; and an unexpected local story from ‘spycops’ revelations in the UK.

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Huge scoop derails FIFA plot, Commonwealth Games weighed up, Luxon's comms under scrutiny again, Kiri Allan's memoir

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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 in the media as parties jostled for attention this week

15:20 Social media on the election mix with 11 days to go

17:45 TikTok makes big claims about its economic impact here - but says less about the tax it pays.

Hear more on TikTok’s Economic Impact Report this week on The Detail

19:53 The MediaLab’s Antony Young on coverage of TikTok’s report and what the app is good for in business, and political electioneering

30:38 Does the ‘fun’flation-fueled cost of concerts really explain reports of people soiling themselves at big gigs?

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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.

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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?

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In this episode:

00:54 Coverage of Nash’s text going public - and other political dignity deficits

10:54 Midweek Mediawatch trail: golf vs football, sport obscures more war

13:30 Paul Henry quizzed on levelling up news media and big tech

16:49 Craig T Robertson on the global rise of podcasts - and start-ups upstaging big players.

22:45 Local podcaster Eugene Bingham on making a living from it and new service Long Story Short.

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World Cup v golf, Argentina v The World, US v Iran, Israel v Palestine- and a teary tribute to a Marton mainstay.

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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.

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In this episode:

1:19 Sam Neill’s death shocked the media, but his depth and range were duly honoured.

13:46 The stage-managed Paul Henry announcement prompted a full-on media frenzy, followed by scepticism about his commitment.

25:48 Hosking misses the mark on political poll.

27:47 Stuff rejigs Neighbourly to push back at platforms.

30:00 Stuff’s masthead chief Joanna Norris on the NeighbourlyNews.co.nz plan

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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In this episode:

00:56 TV shows ‘big two’ support on the slide while minor parties prosper.

03:10 Media pump up Opportunity’s chances

13:30 The Post and Sunday Star-Times rings the changes under new leadership

17:48 Outgoing editor Tracy Watkins on her ‘pivot’ from The Post to PR, and 40 years in journalism.

21:30 How new editor Matthew Hooton and printing in Christchurch will change The Post

29:46 Criticising crisis-hit Wellington, and championing it

32:00: Tracey Watkins on minor parties on the up - and Opportunity overkill

36:00 Midweek - Scots score soccer soft power, sports chants good and bad, revamps and relaunches

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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.

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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.

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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

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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?

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Who'll pay for a 'wholly unsuccessful' defamation case against TVNZ? Also: Metro rides again, more attribution angst & a ferry good eye witness

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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.

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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.

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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.

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In this episode:

1:05 How the government managed expectations of a sugar-free Budget 2026 via the media - while media zeroed in on treats and entitlements enjoyed by MPs.

10:36 Budget 2026 cut the budgets of public media, though Māori media funding was boosted to ward off a ‘fiscal cliff.’

13:21 TVNZ’s closing its award-winning news service for youth Re:News after nine successful years.

17:20 Former head of content Anna Harcourt on what Re:News achieved, what will be missed when it’s gone and how to get news to younger Kiwis.

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Awards in tense times between politics & media, RNZ's ratings, pondering papers' future, journalism by numbers - and the death of Dame Jools Topp.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Maiki Sherman's exits sparks a pile-on and a pile-up of opinions. Also: TVNZ's bold sports plays, frenzied football finales.

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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.

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Government moves to bin the BSA, Voyager awards bin sponsor, Jack Tame's empty chair & Wayne Brown says 'don't go there'

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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.

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TVNZ's political editor under scrutiny - as PM skips Breakfast. Also: Piers Morgan vs Russell Brand in pauses & York City vs Rochdale full noise.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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New Zealanders' trust in news is up after years of slumps

In this episode:

0:50The media took Cyclone Vaianu seriously, amplifying official warnings it could be life-threatening. When it wasn’t, many accused the media of over-reacting.

11:40Ourtrust in news has bounced back a bit in the latest annual survey, after several years of decline.

17:45Is it a trend or a blip? The report’s authors, the AUT’s Dr Merja Myllylahti and Dr Greg Treadwell with their take.

Guests: Dr Merja Myllylahti and Dr Greg Treadwell from the AUT’s centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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 website

In this episode:

1:01 Who’s winning the war that’s fouling up the flow of our fuel? Depends who you hear - and believe - in the media. . .

10:47 Three quarters of the $4 billion spent on ads here last year went online - and the vast bulk of the ended up offshore. What does this mean for our media and the onshore ad business?

29:54 Big spending blew a huge hole in the Chatham Islands council’s budget, prompting its high profile boss to quit his role and its expensively-renovated house. But there was no news outlet there to expose it until it was too late.

Guests: Alex Radford, chair of IMANZ and media agency D3; Jonathan Milne, editor of Newsroom Pro.

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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.

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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?

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In this episode:

00:50 How the media reacted to the prospect of fuel shortages and the possibility of heavy measures to manage them, and rekindling memories of carless days.

11:00 Newsroom Pro editor Jonathan Milne on reporting shortages without prompting panic - and the bigger picture of our oil dependence and the reality of energy supplies.

17:05 Damaging personal allegations about Labour leader Chris Hipkins spread widely in social media after a single post by his former partner, creating a dilemma for news media.

22:03 Media law expert Nicole Moreham on the legal limits on the right to tell your own story when it clashes with the privacy rights of others, defamation and the public interest.

Guests: Nicole Moreham, professor of law at Victoria University of Wellington; Jonathan Milne, editor of Newsroom Pro.

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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.

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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 website

In this episode:

0:47 One poor poll result that put pressure on the PM late last week was still pre-occupying the media this week. Was it really a story?

16:12 The editor of The Post and Sunday Star Times - Tracy Watkins - on who calls the shots and pays the bills in its polling partnership with pollster Freshwater Strategies and lobby group Infrastructure NZ.

23:28 Country Calendar has passed 60 unbroken years on air - and survived the cull of other factual and current affairs shows that also rated well. How come?

26:48 Producers Dan Henry and Katherine Edmond on why Netflix would never make Country Calendar, its style, its funding - and putting women behind and in front of the camera.

Guests: Tracy Watkins, Dan Henry and Katherine Edmond

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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’?

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'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 scorn

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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?

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Learn more: Mediawatch: Immigration amping up in election year | RNZ News

In this episode:

0:55 Immigration as a political wedge issue around the world

4:55 NZ First puts immigration on the agenda over its objections to an FTA with India - giving the media a headache with the prospect of more to come.

19:45 HBO leaves Sky TV to launch its own HBO Max subscription service here. Are we already over-subscribed?

22:56 Tech writer Peter Griffin on streaming hitting the ceiling worldwide - and what it might mean for Sky TV (without HBO)

Guests: Peter Griffin, BusinessDesk

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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.

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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.

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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'

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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?

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In this episode:

1:32 More people worldwide are getting news from social media platforms than news outlets’ own channels - and they’re watching much more on video.

6:08 Dr Craig T Robertson of the Reuters Institute on what that means for the future of news publishers.

20.58 Fresh stats on where Kiwis get their news - and what they trust.

22.30 Politicians zeroing in on media distrust, including NZ First’s new candidate who wants to ‘chop’ RNZ.

29:06 Outgoing editor of The Post Tracy Watkins on claims of political bias - and whether the media pursuit of ‘good stories’ also pumps up polarisation.

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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.

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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 website

Death, devastation and extreme weather test media | RNZ News

In this episode:

1:19 Reporting what went wrong and why after tragedies at Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay in the face of misleading social media - and claims it was ‘not yet the time’ to raise the role of climate change or politics.

17:34 Business news on TV to make a comeback - and paid political content painting a rosy economic picture.

21:05 Why NBR is confronting subscribers over-sharing content.

23:30 NBR co-editor Hamish McNichol on NBR’s copyright crusade, the appetite for business news and whether election year is just business as usual for the country’s longest-lasting business publication.

40:41 Surprise sacking of Razor Robertson sparks cutting rorts headlines

Guests: Hamish McNichol, co-editor of NBR

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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.

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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.

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1:11 Summer weather rage-bait

6:02 Wellywood premiere rekindles good times - before director warns it could be end times for blockbusters

10:18 Media drive debate about anti-productive summer break - all based on social media opinion.

13:31 Pre-Christmas economic stats gave a mixed picture of our economy this week, as pundits and pressure groups push policy and public opinion. And that Willis- Richardson right-wing rumble is off.

20:55 Maria Slade on her BusinessDesk investigation ‘Fall of the House of Du Val’

24:45 Financial state of the media in 2025

26:40 Judge dismisses Talleys case against TVNZ, which faced another defamation case this week backed by NZME’s billionaire director James Grenon.

Guests: Maria Slade, property editor at BusinessDesk

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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 the nose; worst live media event - and the Billy Connolly Trophy for breaking news about a single animal.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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0:50 How Ikea’s Auckland opening monopolised the media this week

11:00 Midweek Mediwatch - in case you misused it

12:37 A costly campaign to copy Australia’s imminent ban on social media for under-16 has picked up public support - and political backing from the PM and his party to change the law next year. A major media company and telco are also getting the message out.

20:23 Social media pioneer Rabble aka Evan-Henshaw Plath on why he’s campaigning against a law change to take teens of social media.

Guests: Evan Henshaw-Plath / Rabble

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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?

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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 Luxon faced a flurry of reports his own future as PM and party leader was in doubt. But they were high on rumour, chatter and opinion - and almost fact-free.

15:30: TVNZ aired a special show - ‘You, Me and the Economy’ - this week, zeroing in on the problems and possibilities in our economy.

17:48: Bernard Hickey, founder of independent outlet The Kākā on media coverage of our economy. and if the ‘burps and farts’ of party politics obscure important issues. Also: how subscriber-based public interest journalism can flip the script.

35:46: The report from UK’s Covid 19 inquiry has slammed the former government there for indecision and confusion, and delaying lockdowns that cost lives. One broadcaster seized on it to slam the government here, even though he changed his own position several times.

Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website

Guests: Bernard Hickey

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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?

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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 website

In this episode:

1:06 For a while the EV market boomed with incentives in place, though they came at a cost. Now the incentives have been dialled down - and so has demand. And a steady stream of stories about the fire hazards have spread like wildfire.

13:18: Dr Troy Bailsden on how to ‘pre-bunk’ alarmism about EV safety - and where to find facts on the real but remote risks of batteries.

19:51: Magazines devoted to longform journalism are struggling to stay in print. A year ago award-winning NZ Geographic urged subscribers to up their backing to keep it going. One year on publisher James Frankham on how that worked out - and what’s next.

Learn more: Mediawatch: Angst about EVs blows up in the headlines | RNZ News

Guests: Troy Baisden, James Frankham

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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.

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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 website

In this episode:

0:45: How the media responded to the shock news that the BBC’s boss and head of news quit after revelations of editorial failures - and President Trump threatening to sue for $1bn.

17:20: Ex-BBC Panorama editor-turned-mediawatcher Roger Bolton on the BBC’s response to its problems, the media hostility BBC faces from rivals and claims of political influences at play within the BBC.

32:02: Other big news this week: the shocking IPCA report that kept newsrooms and their lawyers busy; and Te Pāti Māori’s meltdown in the media.

Learn more: Mediawatch: BBC under pressure from outside - and within amid edit scandal | RNZ News

Guests: Roger Bolton

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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.

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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 NOTES

Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website

In this episode:

0:58The serious slide of New Zealanders’ trust in news, journalism - and the media general. The latest one asks Kiwis why they’ve lost trust and what might get it back.

7:29RNZ’s Tim Watkin on his new book ‘How to Rebuild Trust in Journalism.’ He sees the relationship like a marriage on the rocks - and the media are the cheating partner that needs come to terms with the fact the public just aren’t that into them any more.

30:29Melanie Bunce - the Kiwi director of the new Centre for Media and Democracy in London - says our high levels of news readership moderate the effect here, but warns that political actors are exploiting and amplifying distrust.

36:52Unexpected local angle on downfall of the ‘Duke of Yuck

Learn more:Saving the marriage of journalism and the people | RNZ News

Guests: Tim Watkin, Melanie Bunce

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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.

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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 website

In this episode:

00:45The media have been telling us for years any political party offering a CGT is DOA at the polls. How did they react this week to Labour saying they’ll do that next year?

8:00:New Zealand’s leaders have been talking up our country in Asia and in northern Europe this week, but this week we were cellar dwellers in a new ranking of develeped nations supporting media freedom around the world. New Zealander Melanie Bunce, director of the Centre for Journalism and Democracy in London, explains why.

21:03A big rejig of funding for Māori news and current affairs means less spent on the established TV news programmes and more on news from the regions and digital-first content, available via a new national news hub. Te Māngai Pāho’s The long-serving kaihautu Larry Parr explains the plan.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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 media.

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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?

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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?

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