Stories by Hayden Donnell
Audio and features
Midweek Mediawatch - political scoop hauls skeleton out of the cupboard
In this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about the media copping flak for how they handled MP Sam Uffindell's past misdeeds, a pair of great documentaries on student life -… Audio
Mediawatch: A government in the gun over accidental generosity
The government came under fire over some misdirected cost of living payments this week, but the more enduring story might be who didn't get paid, rather than who did. Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: A nation in mourning
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about an outpouring of grief and opprobrium following the All Blacks' home series loss to Ireland, an uproar over a… Audio
Sick and tired of the sickness
Covid has now killed around 1700 people in New Zealand, but much of our news reporting and commentary has focused on how we're learning to live with the virus. Why is there such a mismatch between… Audio
Radio Australia? RNZ's musical outsourcing under fire
The bombastic tunes broadcasters use for news become so familiar we barely notice them - until they change. RNZ is being criticised by local musicians and their industry bodies over its decision to… Audio
Roe v Wade ruling triggers intense media reaction
Some said the US Supreme Court’s controversial ruling on abortion was none of our business, because we don’t have the same legal or political set-up, let alone its religious cleavages and cultural… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: A sudden dose of empathy
In this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Bryan Crump about the lessons ZB's Kate Hawkesby learned from a bad bout of Covid - and National leader Christopher Luxon squirming under the… Audio
Media grapples with misinformation in Fair Pay fight
Workers and employers took up predictable positions over legislation to usher in Fair Pay Agreements now being scrutinised in Parliament. A concerted campaign to have them declared illegitimate has… Audio
The Dominion Post gets real on climate action
Despite scientists issuing dire warnings about us being us on a path toward an unliveable world, climate action is often met with shock and concern in the media. This week The Dominion Post decided to… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: TVNZ reports a scandal at TVNZ
In this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Bryan Crump about how TVNZ reporters are covering the sudden resignation of star host Kamahl Santamaria after just one month - and a… Audio
Motoring money makes moral conundrum for media
New car sales have never been higher with more being spent on slick ads and sponsorships to make vehicles visible via the media. But for our media that much-needed money jars with commitments to cover… Audio
Ram raid reports distort true youth crime picture
Anyone reading the headlines on ram raids in recent weeks could be forgiven for thinking youth crime has hit crisis levels. But data shows that's not the case, and some say the media could do better… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: Elon's Twitter takeover
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about a murderers' row of interviews for National leader Christopher Luxon and the free speech implications of Elon… Audio
Missing voices in media marking the switch to Orange
The easing of restrictions on pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants after the Covid traffic light went 'Orange' this week was celebrated by media urging us to 'put on our dancing shoes'. Owners and… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: A new angle on housing
Midweek Mediawatch: Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about alternative approaches to stories about our housing and transport problems - and news media getting a green light to try and get Facebook… Audio
Mismatch in coverage of climate science and climate solutions
The media has for the most part accepted climate change is a crisis, and time is running out to implement fixes. But climate solutions, particularly when it comes to transport and housing, are still… Audio
Media deliver a wave of weekend PR for the unvaccinated
The unvaccinated received a wave of press over the weekend which they used to campaign for the return of their freedoms. Other groups made vulnerable by Covid were lower down the media's pecking…
Coming up
Opening up not all it's cracked up to be for business
Even after the government announced it was relaxing Covid restrictions on Wednesday, business leaders responded with a familiar call for more freedom. But looser restrictions haven't shored up their… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: An anti-vax PR blitz?
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about a good start for Tova O'Brien and a not-so-good one for Duncan Garner on new talk station Today FM - and the… Audio
A soothing scroll through Today FM's opinion section
Today FM is set to take on Newstalk ZB in a battle for talk radio supremacy. But in contrast to its controversy-courting crosstown rival, its website is demonstrating a surprisingly tranquil approach… Audio
Government confirms new media body to replace RNZ, TVNZ
The government has confirmed it is creating a new public media entity incorporating RNZ and TVNZ. But it has not revealed details of its funding - or the charter which will govern its operations.
Coming up
Newsroom accused of publicising anti-vax PR pitch
A few days before the occupation of Parliament dissolved in a wave of fire and violence, Newsroom published soft-focus vision of it in a report called 'A visit to Freedom Village'. It's now being… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: A shaky take on booster benefits
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about Mike Hosking's regrets about being boosted, NZME's financial comeback from Covid - and emotional scenes as… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: divining the polls a shaky science
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about commentators reading the tea leaves over the latest political poll, Sean Plunket's new online talkback station… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: Tova O'Brien barred from starting Today on time
In this week's Midweek Mediawatch Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about the employment dispute keeping Tova O'Brien off the air and creating bad blood between broadcasters. Also - non-commercial RNZ… Audio