• Seismic shift on quake-prone properties; ‘Not now’ on Palestinian statehood, current affairs catch-up
    Oct 4 2025

    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 NOTES

    Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website

    In this episode:

    1:07 Owners, councils and the government all celebrated the savings from new rules on earthquake-prone buildings this week - along with many in the media.

    16:09 How the media responded to the announcement at the UN of our position on Palestinian statehood - long after it was actually decided.

    25:05 It’s been a year and a half since huge cuts were made to TV current affairs on local TV. Miriama Kamo and Mark Crysell of TVNZ’s now-defunct Sunday show about what happened after that, what’s left - and what’s next.

    Learn more:

    Guests: Mark Crysell, Miriama Kamo

    If you have any thoughts for us - or ideas for us to follow up - get in touch. E-mail mediawatch@rnz.co.nz. You’ll also find us @MediawatchNZ on X.

    Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

    Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Midweek - Watchdog rules on coverage of teen tragedy, Black Fern feedback & US golf goofs
    Oct 1 2025

    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 TV

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Show more Show less
    22 mins
  • Short-term focus on long-term problems; Trump vs media; tackling taboo topics without grievance
    Sep 27 2025

    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 website

    In this episode:

    1:04 A long look at how bad news about the economy has been piling up and piling pressure on the politicians in charge - even as things might actually be on the up and the long-term problems are being overlooked.

    15:36 Trump and MAGA and FCC v Kimmel and the media and free speech.

    19:10 Two stalwarts of TVNZ current affairs - Miriama Kamo and Mark Crysell are back with new online show - The Elephant - promising to tackle taboo topics but without grievance that’s often found online.

    Learn more: Mediawatch: Long-term problems, short-term coverage | RNZ News

    Guests: Mark Crysell, Miriama Kamo

    If you have any thoughts for us - or ideas for us to follow up - get in touch. E-mail mediawatch@rnz.co.nz. You’ll also find us @MediawatchNZ on X.

    Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

    Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts


    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • Midweek - Trump vs comedy & free speech, TVNZ & RNZ's trust, Black Ferns blowback
    Sep 24 2025

    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

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • News desert warning, pros & cons of property, Ferns falter, more Phillips fallout
    Sep 20 2025

    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

    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • Midweek - Kirk's killing, rugby (over)reactions, more Phillips fallout
    Sep 17 2025

    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

    Show more Show less
    17 mins
  • Fugitive family & public interest, Te Pāti Māori v MSM, AI news to save newsrooms?
    Sep 13 2025

    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 NOTES

    Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website

    In this episode:

    0:00: After the hunt for Tom Phillips came to a violent and deadly end this week, the media had to make quick judgments about what was in the public interest, the interests of the children and the public appetite for details.

    0:00 Te Pāti Māori won the Tamaki Makarau by-election with a candidate who made a name for herself as a TV journalist, but has distanced itself from non-Māori media during and after the campaign. It's also criticised the conduct of unnamed reporters - and made claims of other bad behaviour, but failed to back it up.

    0:00 AI doesn’t have a great reputation yet for getting it right, but ex-RNZer Peter Fowler who’s pioneering automated news powered by AI reckons it can be a force for good - or even survival in smaller New Zealand newsrooms.

    Learn more:

    Guests: Peter Fowler

    If you have any thoughts for us - or ideas for us to follow up - get in touch. E-mail mediawatch@rnz.co.nz. You’ll also find us @MediawatchNZ on X.

    Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

    Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts


    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • Midweek: Fugitive father saga ends, row over doco and access, left v right
    Sep 10 2025

    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

    Show more Show less
    15 mins