Stories by Colin Peacock
Audio and features
Mayor under pressure after rumour-based reports
Wellington’s mayor is under pressure after acknowledging an alcohol problem. Her admission was prompted by media questions about drunken ‘antics’ based in part on a reported recording which no media… Audio
Watchdog warns media laws need urgent upgrade
The chief of the country’s most powerful media watchdog says we need new laws now to hold media to account in future. The outgoing government had a plan for one single body to oversee rules for all… Video, Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - Are we there yet? No . . .
Midweek Mediawatch - Mediawatch’s weekly catch-up with Nights. Colin Peacock talks to Mark Leishman about the ongoing process of forming a new government testing the patience of political reporters -… Audio
Media campaign of the century?
As we wait for a new government, one election did deliver a clear-cut result this week - Forest and Bird's Bird of the Century poll. The winner had considerable offshore input thanks to a celebrity… Audio
Are the Irish twice as rich as us?
Mediawatch - A business lobby group is urging New Zealand to emulate Ireland, which has a GDP twice as big as ours - but is the GDP picture warped? Audio
Three bananas and a coalition cauliflower
The news media see themselves as the eyes and ears of the public - but so far political leaders have mostly turned a deaf ear to their questions about forming the new government. How are they handling… Audio
Keeping it confidential to properly protect sources
Protecting people who offer the media important information is a fundamental obligation for journalists. Chris Cooke quit TVNZ after it didn't keep a promise to Erin Leighton, whose off-the-record… Audio
Rugby in recovery as a media spectacle
Anger about rules and referees ruining rugby matches ran for days in the media after last weekend's Rugby World Cup final. Players, pundits and even current national coaches have said the game is… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - screwing the scrum
Midweek Mediawatch - Colin Peacock talks to Mark Leishman about the media’s mounting problems covering the crisis in Gaza and Israel; TVNZ under pressure over compromised confidentiality; the PM… Audio
Media in the middle of Gaza claims and counterclaims
Major media organisations all over the world are copping criticism for the way they’re reporting what’s happening in Gaza and Israel. Mediawatch asks BBC news boss Jonathan Munro how they’re handling… Video, Audio
Take me to your leader
Our new political leaders got off on the wrong foot this week with the political press pack by keeping them at arm's length over their negotiations to from the new government. Was this a genuine media… Video, Audio
What are the political parties' plans for media?
The media have been a political football this year - and now some politicians are complaining the media are against them in this election. But hundreds of millions of dollars of public money is spent… Audio
TVNZ tightens its belt citing ad revenue slump
TVNZ is planning significant cuts to content production, programmes and operational spending in response to commercial clients’ reduced spending on advertising. Future projects are under review and…
Coming up
Stuff keeps Open AI at arm's length
New Zealand's biggest publisher of news this week joined big global names in blocking Open AI from using its content to power generative artificial intelligence tool Chat GPT. Stuff says it is being… Audio
AI coming ready or not for our news and music
Business is booming in artificial intelligence technology and new applications appear in the news almost daily. At an AUT symposium this week, experts said it’s already being deployed in creative… Video, Audio
Advocacy angst as campaign begins - officially
The Herald copped criticism for publishing a front-page attack ad targeting the National Party leader this week - but it was far from the first time ads like it have appeared in print. Meanwhile… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - Spain's football boss (& mum) v the world
Midweek Mediawatch - Colin Peacock talks to Mark Leishman about the strange saga sparked by the sexist behaviour of Spain’s football chief at the Women’s World Cup final. Also - broadcasters' election… Audio
Brought to you by . . . 'partners'
It’s meant to be clear what’s advertising and what isn't, but 'sponsored content' and 'native advertising' blurred that line a long time ago. Now some outlets form ‘partnerships’ with clients to get… Audio
Our World Cup runneth over - and out. What next?
The Women's World Cup 2023 attracted record crowds in the stands and on TV - both here and in Australia. It also delivered drama and off-pitch stories that livened up standard sports coverage. But… Video, Audio
Putting right what went wrong with RNZ's online news
A review of RNZ's online news has called for greater oversight and enforcement of standards after a crisis sparked by a single staffer making 'inappropriate' edits to international news online… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - RNZ review, Cup crackers, Palmy peeved
In this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Colin Peacock talks to Mark Leishman about what a review of the ‘inappropriate editing’ of online news at RNZ has revealed. Also - the FIFA Women’s World Cup… Audio
Review of RNZ's ‘inappropriate editing’ calls for change
An independent review of editorial processes at RNZ has called for greater oversight and enforcement of standards after a single staffer made 'inappropriate' edits to international news stories…
Coming up
Allan’s resignation sparks another at RNZ
A board member at RNZ appointed less than a month ago quit this week after making public comments on Kiri Allan’s downfall and criticising media coverage of it. RNZ had asked Jason Ake to stop and the… Audio
Minister’s downfall triggers premature election speculation
The media could scarcely ignore the startling story of a minister of justice under arrest, but the circumstances of that and her sudden resignation raised many other issues. Many in the media seized… Audio
Political parties roll out crime control policy
After it emerged that Matu Reid was on home detention for family violence offences, the media rapidly raised questions about home detention, the discounting of prison sentences and gun control… Audio