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

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Facing the pressure & bucking the trend in 2024

Mediawatch looks at how the media fared against the forces they faced in 2024 - and how one part of the media seems to be bucking the trend of decline. Also: Hayden Donnell's media Christmas wish.
New episode
Local magazines from local publishers appear to be booming in Christchurch and Canterbury.

Midweek - The Mediawatch Awards for 2024

Mediawatch’s not-very-prestigious and not-at-all coveted annual media awards - including biggest flip-flop; best and worst jingle and nickname; state-of-media analysis of the year, the awrd for pushing musical boundaries - and the Billy Connolly Trophy for a single animal making national news.
The perils of AI and PR - a made-up image to illustrate a made-up story to publicise a bedmaker's survey about the effects of too little sleep.

Media under the sinking lid in 2024

Mediawatch talks to two media bosses who’ve had the media’s economic headwinds blowing their hair back in 2024. What’s the state of the media now - and how might the state intervene in 2025? Also: how the government stepped in on two other businesses with big problems - racing and the ferries.
Sign that reads 'Sorry, We are closed' hanging in a shop front in Central Auckland during Lockdown Level 3.

Midweek: Kiwi Clasico; BoJo v KiHi; RIP Nicholas Boyack; Stuff split?

Media hype local football fever; Kim Hill vs BoJo; RIP Hutt Valley stalwart Nicholas Boyack; could Stuff split itself up?
Auckland FC fans.

If you can’t beat social media, join it. Or ban it?

Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s was cheered on by many media - including some of ours. But it's also highlighted their own dependency on big tech. Meanwhile one TV broadcaster that went all-in on TikTok has found a huge new audience. But what are the risks?
The Herald on Sunday reports on the dark side of social media for teens in story citing Australia's ban on it for under-16s.

Midweek: Luxon appears at last

PM's long-awaited appearance on Q+A, Atlas explored, Wellington ginger group's political contacts come to light, RNZ brought to book & Newshub's stuff survives on Stuff
Prime minister Chris Luxon is interviewed by Jack Tame on TVNZ's Q&A.

Two towns’ news under pressure, copyrights and wrongs

The tale of two towns which face losing their local news. Also: a bid to change the law so parody and satire doesn’t run the risk of breaking it - and clear up who owns digital media.
Westport News reports its own struggle to retain crucial advertising from the local council.

Midweek: Tiriti talk, TJ’s haka, funding for factual stuff in 2025

Treaty Principles Bill and TJ Perenara’s controversial haka stir debate; the latest public funding for current affairs and journalism and Three's local stuff for 2025.
TJ Perenara, centre, leads the All Blacks haka ahead of their rugby test against Italy in Turin. November 2024.

Hīkoi hōhā, news deserts fears, deep-dive deep-pocket podcast

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.
The Herald's front page the day Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrived in Wellington.

Midweek: Hīkoi bias claims, Herald v Bain privacy, mag strife

Accusations of bias and a lack of impartiatality in coverage of Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti. Also the Herald v David Bain, Facebook scam surge and problems for local magazines.
The hikoi against the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill reaches Parliament.

Reporter's ban from Crown apology; local papers on the block

Why was an award-winning journalist dedicated to reporting abuse in state care briefly banned from the official apology for that this week? Also - NZME plans to close 14 local North Island papers, possibly leaving some towns without coverage.
Signs from protestors sit outside Parliament during the apology for abuse in state care

Midweek: Hikoi hits the road, news cuts, foreign football flashpoint

Hikoi hits the road; Seymour vs TVNZ; TV news cuts latest and how sketchy reports of a foreign football flashpoint sparked a diplomatic incident.
A supporter waves a Palestinian flag in front of Police officers from Mobile Unit (ME) during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the sideline of the UEFA Europa League football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, in Amsterdam on 7 November 2024.

Trump triumph and the media message, Australia & Malaysia rein in social media

“It’s their media world now. We just live in it” - what news media are taking away from the Trump triumph; Media message from Trump’s triumph, how Australia and Malaysia are making social media accountable for the content they carry
The ABC's 4 Corners show investigates the impact of social media in the week the Australian government announced new restrictions.

Midweek: He's back

The epic media coverage of an epic US election that's put Trump back in charge. Also - more grim news from TVNZ; and warnings from Crux and NZ Geographic.
New York Times needle tells it like it is.

Stuff boss joins ginger group, NZ Geographic’s bold survival strategy

Could the boss of the country’s biggest news publisher joining a local ginger group alongside political figures compromise her own company's coverage in the capital? Also: award-winning NZ Geographic adopts maximum transparency to secure its survival
Wellington's daily The Post breaks the news a group of local grandees - including the paper's owner - has formed to get the capital 'back on track.'

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