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

On air:

Sundays at 9.10am on RNZ National

A grey and blue hypnotising illustration on the background with a large title saying "Mediawatch" and words "weekly since 2001" above the title.

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Midweek - Trump vs comedy & free speech, TVNZ & RNZ's trust, Black Ferns blowback

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
New episode
ThreeNews reports one of several false claims president Trump made at the UN.

News desert warning, pros & cons of property, Ferns falter, more Phillips fallout

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 . . .
Property Press

Midweek - Kirk's killing, rugby (over)reactions, more Phillips fallout

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.
The All Blacks and the Black Ferns share the 1News sport screen after their games against South Africa.

Fugitive family & public interest, Te Pāti Māori v MSM, AI news to save newsrooms?

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.
The Post front page the morning after Tom Phillips' death.

Midweek: Fugitive father saga ends, row over doco and access, left v right

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.
Police image of one of Tom Philipps' campsites.

Exaggerating Amazon, end of the ‘foreign ban,’ RNZ flags change in music and arts

Amazon investing billions and creating hundreds of jobs in tech here made breathless headlines earlier this week. But it turned out to be old news - and less than previously announced. How did that happen? Also: how the media handled the end of the ban on foreigners buying flash homes here - and more changes at RNZ.
PM Christopher Luxon at the Amazon Web Services launch in Auckland on Tuesday.

Midweek - Friday night lights-out, harsh spotlight, bolt from the boot

Reserve Bank chair's after-hours exit fails to blunt media interest, harsh spotlight on new political candidate, the farmer who survived a bolt from the boot, political reporter returns - and the return of The Mish.
A close-up picture of Chris Wilson's gumboot which was damaged by lightning with the farm in the background.

RNZ’s bid to stop the National slide, minding your Ps & Cs

The new plan to stop RNZ National losing listeners - and a harsh review of the network’s capability and culture. How’s RNZ’s boss handling this - and what listeners really want? Also - rude words that sparked complaints but didn't break the rules.
RNZ

Midweek: TVNZ starts charging, NZME loses cash, RNZ gains listeners

TVNZ launches its first paid-for product, NZME announces a $400k loss and the composition of its new editorial board - and RNZ's listenership snakes upward for the first time since 2022.
Lionel Messi and Argentina team-mates celebrate winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Image problems, clawing cash back from AI crawlers, gentle political whispers

One woman became the unwilling face of a political cause she strongly opposed because her image was for sale online - and one outlet faked photos of a whanau to 'protect its mana.' What are the ethics of stock images? Also - 'gentle whispers' of political succession, and can the media claw back cash from AI crawling their content online?
No caption

Midweek: RNZ's radio plan, conflict of interest complaint, ugly ad

RNZ's strategy to stop the loss of radio listeners sparks a strong reaction from pundits - and the listeners. Also - a political party proves a point using the official complaints process- and irritating ads for insurance.
RNZ's new plan to reverse the drift of listeners - and a blunt review from a former news boss - sparked plenty of media reaction this past week.

Statehood stoush, poll ’predictions,’ RNZ’s loss of listeners, do media deliver what Kiwis expect?

How the media handled controversy over recognising Palestine - two political opinion polls in a day. Also: RNZ prepping out a plan to stop the loss of listeners as a former news chief tells the top brass to make big changes and - do Kiwis believe the media deliver what they promise?
TVNZ's Simon Mercep pointing out how New Zealand is one of few countries yet to recognise a Palestinian state - or signaling an intention to do so.

Midweek: Assassinations in Gaza, poll chaos, ad backlash

A crew of Al Jazeera journalists are assassinated in Gaza, two political polls in a day fire up the media, and an ad from Hobson's Pledge prompts a backlash - and a debate about ethical use of photos.
A man holds a portrait of the late Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharif as he gathers for a vigil to commemorate all journalists killed in Gaza, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, on August 11, 2025. (Photo by Phil Nijhuis / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT / NETHERLANDS OUT / NETHERLANDS OUT

NCEA not achieved, Trump’s tariff ‘surprise,’ magazines on the block

The media graded NCEA as ‘not achieved’ after the government proposed dumping it this week. Headlines here called Trump’s 15 per cent tariff on our exports ‘a surprise.’ But was it? Also - the prospects for some of our most popular and enduring magazines, which are up for sale across the Tasman again.
TVNZ's Simon Dallow with a blunt assessment of NCEA after the government announced proposals to dump the system.

Midweek: Reality TV on the public purse, RNZ tweaks, Donnell goneburger, french lesson

Public purse picking up part of the bill for local reality TV, RNZ tweaks Morning Report, Hayden Donnell goneburger from Mediawatch, Colin taught a French lesson.
Contestants on Celebrity Treasure Island

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