RNZ: Mediawatch

The Herald's new streaming news show, RNZ National listeners tuning out, David Seymour's political past under the spotlight.

On Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Emile Donovan Nights this week on RNZ National - the Herald's new streaming news show, RNZ National listeners tuning out, and David Seymour's political past under the spotlight.

This Midweek Mediawatch also discusses developments in the bid to reshape the board of NZME, whose shareholders vote on that on June 3.

One of those nominated for a proposed editorial board at NZME, lawyer Philip Crump, sparked debate among journalists recently with 'Six Challenges Undermining Media Trust' on Substack .

That sparked a critical LinkedIn response from NBR journalist Tim Hunter, in which he highlighted Crump’s claim that descriptive words used by journalists can be “cheap shots.”

“Often these labels are abused and reveal the biases of the journalist deploying them rather than enlightening the reader. Over time, these cheap shots can erode the value of the masthead," Crump wrote on Substack.

He cited the example of “embattled” to describe a politician, but in this Midweek Mediawatch that was misinterpreted.

To correct the record, Philip Crump did not suggest that using the word "embattled" could erode trust or indicate bias on the part of a journalist. He said it could legitimately add colour and provide meaningful context.

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The media make a big deal of the Budget every year, even though the big money’s already been announced. But what was in it for the media this year? Also: vanguard vs the rearguard on AI in the media; political push-back on social media and more bad language - and the perils of cold-calling folks live on air.

Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website

The media make a drama out of Budget Day every year, even though the big plot twists have been revealed in advance and big bits of the backstory aren’t in the script. How did the critics rate this one? And what was in it for the media themselves?

There’s a vanguard in the media that wants to embrace the latest digital technology - and rearguard that resists it. Will the media ever see eye to eye on AI?

Also: political bids to push back social media, more bad behaviour in politics - and bad language in the wake of the ‘c-bomb’ affair.

In this episode:

Budget coverage

What was in the Budget for the media? And what got cut?

The BBC’s Laura Ellis on the media’s split over AI.

Learn more:

Mediawatch: How a Budget is covered | RNZ News

Guests:

Laura Ellis - BBC head of technology forecasting

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

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Coverage of the outcry sparked by the sudden change to legislation for pay equity claims - and how one rude word in one newspaper column derailed the debate. Also - AI at the BBC: how the world’s biggest broadcaster is using AI in news and programmes.

Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website

The sudden change to legislation for pay equity claims sparked a huge political outcry pumped up when one columnist used one very rude word in one newspaper column. How did the media sift the facts from all the political friction?

Also: this week the BBC’s top boss said social media platforms and disinformation endanger democracy – but the world’s biggest broadcaster could help reverse this.

Cutting-edge AI technology will be blended with BBC journalism for “a healthy core of fact-based news” that could benefit the world.

The BBC boss tasked with looking into the future of technology tell us how the BBC already puts AI into news and documentaries in ways you might not expect.

In this episode:

01:10 – Hayden Donnell on coverage of pay equity legislation sidetracked by the party political spin.
12:17 – Colin Peacock on the so-called c-bomb in the Sunday Star Times also derailing the debate.

20:00 – Laura Ellis tells us how the BBC is deploying AI for news and programmes.

Learn more:
Mediawatch: Political rows and newspaper column blur focus on pay equity | RNZ News Mediawatch: AI and the BBC | RNZ News
Guests:

Laura Ellis - BBC head of technology forecasting

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

An entire generation's grown up with little regulation of their digital world. But this week there was a sudden surge of political concern about social media for teens. Also: NZ Rugby’s in the red even though its income from TV's topped $100m. But netball’s got no broadcaster beyond this year for its top comp. Is it a warning for sports that need TV money to pay players?

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Media assumptions about election outcomes were upended in Canberra and Canada this week - and guessing the result of upcoming ones in Wellington and the Vatican suddenly seem risky. Is picking political winners now a fool’s game? Also: cranky calls for military service based on bad stats - and the latest on that bitter boardroom battle at NZME.

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Another year - another drop in trust in the news here, according to the biggest annual survey of it. But the slump seems to have stalled and some outlets have even gained trust this time round - though we’re still world leaders in ‘news avoidance.’ Mediawatch looks at all this - and talks to a Canadian confronting the same trends there.

New Zealanders’ trust in the news has been falling for years - five years in a row according to the most comprehensive annual survey of it carried out that's carried out here.

And we’ve also been leading the world in the proportion of people who say they actively avoid the news.

So no wonder our news outlets fear the worst when the AUT's Trust in news in Aotearoa New Zealand report comes out.

But the latest survey shows the slump trust in our news media has stalled - and local outlets are actually more trusted this year. How come?

Also Mediawatch talks to a longtime journalist striving to restore trust in local media in Canada with the help of fellow 'Ink-Stained Wretches. And they’re also coming to terms with the turmoil of Trump turning on former friends north of the border in a big way.

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Just two companies have carved up most of our grocery bills for years. The government says change is coming - but many in the media don't seem to believe it;s possible. Also - our media’s slumping share of ad income, and local papers' paper dispute.

Just two companies have carved up most of what we’ve spent on grocery shopping for years. Now the government says change is coming to the duopoly - but that was met with undue apathy by many in our media.
We look at the latest figures for advertising income, the lifeblood of the media industry. Overall revenue’s up by a almost a quarter of a billion dollars - good news in tight economic times.

But the bad news? The proportion going to our media is down while many more millions are going offshore to the tech titans that dominate the digital world. Where will this end up?

Also two local papers in a row over. . . paper.

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Are media confusing us with claims of green shoots in the economy at the same time as headlining more dire data? Also: the epic security fail at the top of the Trump regime that gave a journalist the easiest scoop he'll ever get - and the battle for control of NZME ramps up with a flurry of letters.

But first -- it’s not news that our economy;s been going backwards - and the numbers on that don’t lie.

But now some new numbers are on the way up - and that is news.

But other economic numbers in the news are still bad news.

We look at the the dire data and the claims of green shoots - and ask if the media might be mixing its messages - and confusing us all:

Mistakes happen. Everyone makes them. That’s why security protocols exist—
Security systems are only as effective as the people who use them.
But looping a senior journalist into top level chat about imminent military strikes?
easiest scoop ever

That didn't stop the MAGA-men playing a lame blame game with the media.
The bitter battle to control NZME - the company that publishes the Herald and owns NZTB - rolls on, mostly in exchanges of letters.

Also - how producers behind the scenes can keep their presenters on the mic on the straight and narrow.

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Rivals appeal to NZME shareholders as Stuff carves its chief's one share into a million. Also: MAGA-powered podcasters control the zone - and have we lost the appetite for school lunch scrutiny?

Rivals appeal to NZME shareholders as Stuff's chief turns one share into a million. Also: MAGA-powered podcasters control the zone, have we lost the appetite for school lunch scrutiny?

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Concern over a sudden change of editorial direction at NZME as a billionaire bids for control. Also: reporting Wellington’s water woes and a sudden rush of top-level resignations.

The publisher of the Herald and owner of Newstalk ZB has told its investors it’s going to set “a new tone” for New Zealand and “share stories of economic success and positive momentum.” NZME also plans to roll out AI to shape the Herald homepage.

All this will change what we see and read in the future. But NZME’s top brass now have another problem - a billionaire who’s backed alternative online outlets has bought a big chunk of the company and now James Grenon wants to control it.

Also this week: how the media handled a rash of resignations from top public jobs and Wellington’s water woes - no resignations yet but plenty of headlines.

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Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea promp big calls to bump up the budget for defence ASAP. Also - the super-heated headlines about factory-to-school lunches and we talk to the international outfit defending public broadcasters from de-funding.

Chinese warships appearing in what we like to think of as our ‘benign strategic environment’ sparked something of a media frenzy lately - culminating in commentators claiming our defence spending’s going to have to go up ASAP.

Right now the two main public media networks in the US face bids to de-fund them - even though their federal funding is tiny. They also face MAGA-driven inquiries into bias and how they stay in business.

Public broadcasters elsewhere in the world also face more political pressure on their funding and even their legitimacy these days. This week ask the boss of the outfit that represents them around the world: how do you defend against de-funding?

Also: school lunches have been in the headlines ever since the new cheaper factory-to-classroom ones appeared this year - or not, in some cases. And isolated cases of things going badly wrong have certainly been seized on by the media. Just teething troubles blown out of proportion because of politics? Or are our media rightly demanding more transparency? (more than on the cellophane lids of those boxes of burnt bolognese we’ve all seen in the news . . .)

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Surviving 2025 in the intertwined industries of media and advertising. Should our government follow Australia’s media policy - and beware of billionaires? Also: decoding Destiny and the tricky task of luring Aussie tourists.

Can the intertwined industries of media and advertising survive 2025 - and even thrive? That was the theme of a gathering in Auckland this week. One day later, the hosts of it confirmed 30 of its journalists jobs have gone.

Our government says - again - its waiting to see what Australia’s government does when it comes to media policy. Mediawatch asks an Australian media expert if that makes sense - and if should media in both places beware of the billionaires.

Also - this week our government unveiled a new slogan to tempt Aussie tourists across the Tasman. Everyone Must Go seems to have gone down well over there, if not here at a time when many Kiwis are going there for good. We look back at previous efforts to lure tourists across the Tasman.

But tricky timing here when record-number of Kiwis have decided they must go over there for good.

But some of the past efforts to attract Aussie visitors haven’t dated that well either:

AUDIO: 23 feb 2025 TRAIL 02 champagne

That;s later on in the programme

But first - what happened after Destiny Church supporters disrupted Pride events in Auckland last weekend:

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This week’s Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti harvested heaps of headlines, hours of airtime and piles of print and pixels - media copped plenty of criticism for the coverage. Also: a deep-dive podcast that needed deep pockets - and warnings of ‘news deserts’ here.

This week’s big Hīkoi harvested heaps of headlines, hours of airtime and piles of print and pixels - and media copped criticism for the coverage.

14 local papers in the north island are set to close by Christmas, prompting ex-editors and experts in media to warn that the ‘news deserts’ we’ve seen overseas could spring up here in the absence of local papers. And when local elections come round in a year some places may have nowhere to go for locals politicians to air local issues.

We ask a leading paper publisher about if local papers have a future - and what might help to sustain them.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/mediawatch/534657/plans-to-close-local-papers-spark-news-deserts-warning

We talk to Newsroom' Jonathan Milne, the brains behind deep-dive podcast Powderkeg which needed deep pockets to chase the story. How did they do it?

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Mediawatch talks to the boss of Australia’s public broadcaster the ABC - and the producer of a show putting mental health in the frame for the past 15 years.
Also: fallout from the murder trial that preoccupied the media for the past two months. * this programme discusses the issue of suicide and how it is covered by the media *

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How the epic broadcast to mark a new epoch in te ao Māori was made at Tūrangawaewae Marae, media focus on small stuff in big bucks plan for roads; 'Toast-gate' prompts a backlash and a u-turn on maternity ward snacks.

As one Māori monarch was farewelled and a new one appointed this week, it was all aired in the longest multimedia coverage of any event in this country’s history. Mediawatch looks at how this was done - and asks if the Kiingitanga’s relationship with digital-age media might change under new management.

Read all about it on rnz.co.nz here

As billions were rolled out for roads in a new national transport plan - which also rolls back the sums spent on other transport - some journalists questioned how this will work and who will bear the high costs, But other coverage followed the lead of the minister, highlighting stuff that hardly makes a dent in the billion dollar budget.

Read all about it on rnz.co.nz here

Also this week: how reported penny-pinchning cuts to post-birth snacks in maternity wards forced a backlash - and two minsters declared the move toast within hours.

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Colin Peacock talked to Emile Donovan about how the media handled the news that Joe Biden had thrown in the towel - and the final report from the Inquiry into Abuse in State Care. Also Colin also looked at a revealing local report about a local high school - and something he got wrong about his own primary school days.

(Sorry Mr Patchett . . . )

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Mediawatch looks at how our media reacted to the shocking news of the attempt on Donald Trump's life in Pennsylvania. And shortly before that news broke, Colin Peacock a look at the week's news and media live on Sunday Morning with Hayden Donnell - including how it panned out in the first week of Stuff's ThreeNews, a change for TVNZ's Re:News, a significant change in the government's stance on affordable housing - and horoscopes in the news.

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While our government ponders policy to help news media companies cope with their crumbling business models, millions of us get our news first from Facebook, Google and even TikTok. It's the same in Australia - and this week our friends at the ABC ask if public interest journalism can survive on these online networks - or without them. And if serious news outlets slip into obscurity, what would that mean for our public life?

This is an edition of Future Tense, a weekly show from the ABC's Radio National network. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts.

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How the media copped criticism for reporting allegations of personal data misused for political purposes - and the struggle to get meaningful responses from official sources. Also: the popularity of an ultra-long local podcast contradicts assumptions about short attention spans - and how one journalist's trip to his local cafe ended up as national news.

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Long-running bid to make big tech pay for news hits a snag - so what happens next?; stories based on stats sliced from surveys; shock horror over incomplete houses.

Mediawatch looks at how an effort to help the media make much-needed money hit a snag this week.

Also - stories based on surveys which didn't tell the full story.

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Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about Duncan Garner's new live morning show - and an old name for a new 6pm TV news show. Also - a couple of awkward moments at this year's national journalism awards and an awkward confrontation between a rugby coach and a reporter; an outlet devoted to the music of the dead - and who gets struck by lightning?

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A long-running plan to reform the oversight of our media has come to a sudden halt; how public toilets suddenly became political this week.

Mediawatch this week looks at how a long-running plan to reform the oversight of our media has come to a sudden stop - and what the consequences might be.

Also: why public toilets suddenly became political this week.

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Pre-budget teasers increase exposure - and scrutiny; Green MP under pressure over conduct; bid to backstop local news; Gaza coverage attract complaints - and prizes.

Mediawatch this week looks at how pre-Budget announcements from the government are coming thick and fast - and making plenty of headlines.

Also: a plan to save a local newspaper which might just help others stay alive - and an under-fire MP was pursued all the way to the Chatham Islands.

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One opinion poll prompts intense political pushback; new report urges sweeping changes to media, law and funding - and fast; Wairoa Star closes after more than a century in print.

One opinion poll prompts intense political pushback; new report urges sweeping changes to media, law and funding - and fast; Wairoa Star closes after more than a century in print.

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New media minister rolls in after PM's surprise reshuffle; TV news and current affairs on the way down here, but highly competitive across the Tasman.

Mediawatch this week looks at the sudden appointment of a new Minister of Media and Communications - and what went wrong for the outgoing one.

Also - while our TV broadcasters are cutting back their news to the bare minimum, news is still lucrative for Australian TV networks - and it's so competitive they often end up in court.

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Hayden Donnell talks to Emile Donovan about the departure of broadcasting minister Melissa Lee - and the arrival of the next one Paul Goldsmith. Also: a controversial TV interview with the Israeli ambassador - and some truly startling stuff in a Stuff illustration.

In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Emile Donovan about the departure of broadcasting minister Melissa Lee - and the arrival of the next one Paul Goldsmith. Also: a controversial TV interview with the Israeli ambassador - and some truly startling stuff in a Stuff illustration.

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Stuff is taking over Newshub's 6pm TV news. A bold move for an outfit that's never been a broadcaster before. Will it work? Also: Mediawatch talks to two editors about the latest survey showing another alarming slump in New Zealanders' trust in the news.

On Mediawatch this week: Stuff is taking over Newshub's 6pm TV news. It's a bold move for an outfit that's never been a broadcaster before. How will it work?

Also: Mediawatch talks to two editors about the latest evidence of another alarming slump in New Zealanders' trust in the news.

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Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about Stuff leaping into uncharted waters by taking on Newshub at 6. Also: TVNZ going 'beyond broadcasting,' NZ Post and NZME add to predictions of print's demise; recognition for a one-man band in Southland - and Colin's mistaken identity mix-up... again.

Midweek Mediawatch - Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Nights.

Midweek Mediawatch - Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about Stuff leaping into uncharted waters by taking on Newshub at 6. Also: TVNZ going 'beyond broadcasting,' NZ Post and NZME add to predictions of print's demise; recognition for a one-man band in Southland - and Colin's mistaken identity mix-up . . .again.

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

End of TV news as we know it? TVNZ cuts back and Newshub closes down. Newshub's news boss responds; the minister plays for time; a former minister fights back

This week Mediawatch rounds up a week of unprecedented cuts to TV news - and the likely loss of hundreds of journalists' jobs as TVNZ cuts back and Newshub closes down. Newshub's news boss responds; the minister plays for time; a former minister fights back

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Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about an historic day - not in a good way. The confirmation of the closure of Newshub and more cuts confirmed at TVNZ means more than 300 journalists' jobs will go by midyear - and TV news and current affairs will shrivel. Also: the latest report on trust in the news media reveals a further decline - and listeners' questions about what it all means.

Midweek Mediawatch - Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Nights.

Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about the confirmation of the closure of Newshub and more cuts confirmed at TVNZ. More than 300 journalists' jobs will go by midyear and TV news and current affairs will shrivel. Will another media company fill the Newshub void?

Also: the latest report on trust in the news media reveals a further decline - and listeners' questions about what it all means.

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

TVNZ has confirmed Fair Go - on air for 47 years - and news shows Midday and Tonight will cease next month. The future of Sunday will be confirmed tomorrow. Meanwhile a decision on alternatives to a proposal to close Newshub in June is expected tomorrow from its owner Warner Brothers Discovery.

TVNZ has confirmed Fair Go - on air for 47 years - and news shows Midday and Tonight will cease next month. The future of Sunday will be confirmed tomorrow. Meanwhile a decision on alternatives to a proposal to close Newshub in June is expected tomorrow from its owner Warner Brothers Discovery.

After meeting with staff today, TVNZ also said in a statement it is proposing "a new team to be established as part of its News and Current Affairs function, with a specific focus on long-form consumer and current affairs for TVNZ's digital platforms."

If confirmed, TVNZ said this would be "an opportunity to continue reporting under the Fair Go brand and viewers would still be able to share their consumer concerns by writing to the Fair Go inbox.

On Facebook, Fair Go staff told followers: "We've looked at a problem - and with TVNZ - we think we've found a solution."

"While how you see our stories could change, it's important Fair Go still be there to fight for New Zealanders, so keep writing in and we'll update you when we can," the Facebook post said.

After TVNZ announced in March 68 jobs and several programmes could be axed, O'Donnell said there were "no sacred cows."

"The restructure is expected to be complete by early next month," the statement said, leaving the door open to further cuts in other areas of TVNZ production.

TVNZ's online youth-focused arm Re:News was also told its staffing was likely to be cut in half. Its staff meets with TVNZ staff this afternoon.

Sunday's staff meet management tomorrow and a final meeting to brief all TVNZ staff is expected mid-afternoon tomorrow.

Last month TVNZ news reported the Fair Go team was bidding to keep the 47-year-old show on the screen.

Staff at Newshub are expecting an to be told at 11am tomorrow if the service will close in June with the possible loss of up to 300 jobs.

It has been reported that other media companies are interested in acquiring Newshub and continuing a scaled-down news service but no details of any negotitaions have been confirmed.

Michael Wood, who has led negotiations for the journalists' union E tū, told RNZ today it would be " a challenging day at TVNZ."

TVNZ told Mediawatch last Friday TVNZ's news teams have all provided feedback on the proposals relating to their area. …

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We talk to an editor keeping an eye on where public money for public services ends up and the government's new political action plan gets the media's attention.

This week Mediawatch talks to an editor keeping an eye on where public money for public services ends up. Also: how the Government's new political action plan got the media's attention this week - and how the long-standing problem of rebuilding schools suddenly hit the headlines.

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