

Mediawatch
RNZ
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 26min
Midweek - BSA extends reach, a bad week for Big Tech, breakfast with Tova and an easter chocolate ban.
The BSA has decided it has jurisdiction over digital outlets like The Platform - hosted by former-RNZer Sean Plunket - sparking heated debate. US Courts find Instagram and YouTube caused harm to children, what does that mean? And a look at Tova O'Brien's Breakfast debut.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

4 snips
Mar 28, 2026 • 40min
Who’s winning the war, where the ad money goes, Chathams spending scandal
Alex Radford, chair of IMANZ and co-founder of D3, explains how offshore digital platforms are reshaping ad spend and local media economics. He discusses automation, the need for local agencies, and better measurement methods. The conversation also highlights the consequences for onshore jobs and why preserving local media matters.

Mar 25, 2026 • 20min
Midweek - media v Hegseth, TVNZ defamation win, SNL from USA to UK. peas piffle
The media chalk up a win in the Pentagon - maybe. Also: TVNZ's comprehensive court win over co-governance campaigner, some bold journalism from newspapers in the South Island, SNL in the UK, Emile's sweary surprise save. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mar 21, 2026 • 39min
Reporting shortages & petrol panic, privacy v the right to speak out
Reporting shortages without prompting petrol panic. Also: a social media post about the Labour Party leader ended up as headline news - in spite of denials and no-one knowing what’s really true. Does the right to tell a story override others’ right to privacy - or the public interest?
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:50 How the media reacted to the prospect of fuel shortages and the possibility of heavy measures to manage them, and rekindling memories of carless days.11:00 Newsroom Pro editor Jonathan Milne on reporting shortages without prompting panic - and the bigger picture of our oil dependence and the reality of energy supplies.17:05 Damaging personal allegations about Labour leader Chris Hipkins spread widely in social media after a single post by his former partner, creating a dilemma for news media.22:03 Media law expert Nicole Moreham on the legal limits on the right to tell your own story when it clashes with the privacy rights of others, defamation and the public interest.Guests: Nicole Moreham, professor of law at Victoria University of Wellington; Jonathan Milne, editor of Newsroom Pro.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/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mar 18, 2026 • 24min
Midweek - political leader obsession, Trump v BBC, athletics aesthetic reboot, feijoas are bad
Why are so many stories zeroed in on political party leaders? Also: Trump's wild claims about the BBC, Post and Press online makeover, TVNZ's aesthetic athletics reboot, feijoas must go.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mar 14, 2026 • 38min
The polls that pressure politics, Country Calendar’s Coro Street-level staying power
Catherine Edmond, longtime Country Calendar producer who helped shape its observational documentary style and champion women on and off camera. Tracy Watkins, experienced political editor with deep knowledge of polling partnerships and editorial decisions. They discuss a media frenzy sparked by one poll and who funds and shapes poll coverage. They also explore why Country Calendar endures, its format, funding and loyal rural following.

Mar 11, 2026 • 19min
Covid quibbling, Iranian opinion and history, ‘Peter Bassett’ update
Another Covid inquiry prompted plenty of pandemic pointscoring - but not so much on the plan for the next one. Also: who speaks for Iranians - and who is Peter Bassett? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mar 7, 2026 • 43min
War in the Middle East, political criticism & influence concerns at home, PM still PM
It’s war in the Middle East again, stretching media already stressed by conflict - and nonsense from leaders is not helping. Also: questions about newsrooms’ vulnerability to influence from outside and their inside media companies; poll prompts a flurry over the PM, Country Calendar at 60. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mar 4, 2026 • 20min
Midweek - War breaks out in Iran; PM fluffs his lines; TVNZ's interference fears
Coverage of war breaking out on Iran, influencers' soft power picture shattered, the local angles including a PM punished for fluffing his lines. Also - TVNZ's crime reporting fallout prompt claims of editorial interference.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Feb 28, 2026 • 34min
Govt moves on rough sleepers, reporting Wellington woes, mystery blogger
The government’s moved on rough sleepers and beggars downtown - by giving the police power to move them out of town. How did the media handle that this week? Also: reporting Wellington's bad news; political ad rebuke - and who’s ‘Peter Bassett’? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details


