Mediawatch

There's never a shortage of opinions on the media but Mediawatch looks at it all in detail for those keen to know more about the news - as well as those who work in media.

Hosted and produced by Colin Peacock and Hayden Donnell

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All episodes:

Midweek: surreal Pope coverage, spiky RNZ interview, identical eye-witnesses

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
New episode
Pres. Trump acknowledges the death of Pope Francis with the First Lady and the Easter Bunny.

Jailed journo’s life on screen, Christian broadcaster beats the slump

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.
The Correspondent, starring Richard Roxborough as the jailed journalist Peter Greste.

Midweek: Polk folk, Facebook whistleblower faces US Senate, lobbying lid-lifting

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.
A big call from Three, the broadcasters of the three-part doco series 'Polk'

Trust in news slump stalls, Canada pushes back

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.
The Otago Daily Times proudly proclaims its leading status in the AUT's annual Trust in News in Aoteroa New Zealand.

Midweek: MediaWorks bought up, Herald goes positive, Green MP speaks out, fake wolf news

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.
The Herald has put its positive news campaign 'On The Up' on the front page this week.

Duopoly apathy, ad income slump, local paper paper row

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.
Nicola Willis' plan to get grocery prices down on the front page of the Herald.

Midweek: Green in the gun, NZME update, Stuff falls foul of BSA

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.
Green MP Benjamin Doyle's social media posts lead the 6pm news last Monday.

Green shoots and dire data, NZME angst, easiest scoop ever

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.
Liam Dann asks the question in the Herald on Sunday last weekend.

Midweek: NZME board battle goes postal

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.
The Weekend Herald reports the power play prompted by a billionaire investor.

Lid-lifting Kiwi gagged over Facebook, NZME/Stuff in play, The Listener & lifestyle journalism

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.
Sarah Wynn-Williams talks to the News Agents podcast in the UK, before Meta took legal action to prevent her speaking about her lid-lifting book about Facebook.

Ownership angst, lunch fatigue, Bongino bombast & Newsom niceness

Rivals appeal to NZME shareholders as Stuff carves its chief's one share into a million. Also: MAGA-powered podcasters control the zone - and have we lost the appetite for school lunch scrutiny?
The Post reporting in NZME's chair speaking out against a bid to oust the current board of the company.

Media question PM’s position, integrity initiative dovetails with media

The PM’s got plenty on his plate right now - including media hinting his time is up in the top job. Is that true - or fair? Also: a new move to use the media to improve integrity in public life and push back at vested interests. Sounds good, but are things really that bad?
One of many articles in the media lately giving the PM communications advice.

Midweek: Poll angst, NZME upheaval

A new poll piles pressure on the PM and his party, the billionaire bidding to unseat NZME's board hits back at claims about his intentions, a Paddington clarification
Christopher Luxon participates in a cooking demonstration at Fonterra's headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City.

NZME’s billionaire power play; a rash of resignations, Welly water woe

Concern over a sudden change of editorial direction at NZME as a billionaire bids for control. Also: reporting Wellington’s water woes and a sudden rush of top-level resignations.
The Weekend Herald reports the power play prompted by a billionaire investor.

Midweek: Ever-present Pres, billionaire buy-ins, NZ life 50 years apart

Midweek: The ever-present US President makes the most of set-piece media events. Also -billionaires seeking stakes in our media & rights to air rugby - and TV shows about life in NZ fifty years apart.
Vice President JD Vance speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Oval Office on February 28, 2025.

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