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

On air:

Sundays at 9.10am on RNZ National

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Immigration issue amped up, ceiling for streaming, over-the-top umbrella

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?
New episode
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay announce a free trade agreement with India.

Midweek - terrorist's identity conundrum, private functions go very public & AI on ice

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.
US Adam Rippon performs during the Men Free Skating competition of the World Figure Skating Championships on March 25, 2010 at the Palavela ice-rink in Turin. AFP PHOTO / DAMIEN MEYER (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER / AFP)

Infrastructure anxiety hits headlines again, AI slop feeds fake news flood

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.
An AI-generated video claimed to show Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at Waitangi.

Midweek - WaPocalypse now, FLOTUS film flop, 'enshitification' outbursts, sweary hero

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'
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 5: The Washington Post Building at One Franklin Square Building on June 5, 2024 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Bad language on the air & AI in our newsrooms

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?
ILLUSTRATION - 22 October 2025, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schwerin: Several AI applications can be seen on a smartphone screen, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, Meta AI, Grok and DeepSeek. The apps are grouped in a folder labeled "AI". Artificial intelligence applications from various providers are increasingly shaping everyday digital life - from text and image generators to research and assistance functions.

Midweek - Epstein overdrive & icky encounters, more Mauao fallout, Luxon on camera, MediaWorks changes hands

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.
A photo illustration showing redacted documents, after the US Justice Department began releasing the long-awaited records from the investigation into the politically explosive case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Death, devastation and extreme weather test media, NBR copyright crusade confronts customers

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.
Bay of Plenty Times stark front page lists the names of six victims from Beachlands holiday park.

Midweek - Mauao tragedy under media lens, morning news shake-up, the art of the solo promo

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.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon travels by helicopter from Auckland to assess damage following the recent storm that struck New Zealand’s North Island. NZ Herald photograph by Corey Fleming

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