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.
Latest episodes
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39 min
Gang angst and law & order red meat, ban social media or fix it?
Law and order was under the radar this election, until candidates campaigning at gang events hit the headlines. Also: both big parties want to ban social media for U-16s. A tech ex…
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23 min
Midweek - election debate deluge, gang scandal get legs, jobs on the line
Almost all-election almost all-the-time as voting nears. Also, the gang visit scandal, Parents Alliance examined - and more journalists' jobs on the line.Go to this episode on rnz.…
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37 min
Pitching for parents, education in the election, mascot mess
Education became a hot topic as political parties pitched their election pledges at parents this week - and a new advocacy group pushed the issue in the media. Also: Australia push…
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22 min
Midweek - debates & stalemates, culture war comparison, bring back KiwiBuck, BS ok?
Election debates keep on coming, platforming the 'major' and 'minor' leaders. Could a costings unit cut back the scraps? Also: did Nights and Hayden Donnell's Kiwibank scoop give J…
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47 min
Who wants to be a billionaire, reality TV check, award-wining oil scoop
A random election debate question about extreme wealth struck a chord this week. Also: a local reporter’s role in an award-winning Reuters investigation of illicit oil shipping, an…
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26 min
Midweek - the campaign content pile-up picks up pace
The debates, the political panels, the interviews and ads and interactive innovations are all cranking up in intensity as general election voting looms. Go to this episode on rnz.c…
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39 min
Overhangs hang over election, RNZ’s next chief, Phil Gifford
As the election campaign got underway officially, media seized on arguments about overhangs and vote-splitting dividing both sides. Also: RNZ’s next boss unveiled, and the light to…
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20 min
Midweek - New RNZ chief, election 2026 is launched . . . officially
RNZ's named its next CEO as Jason Winstanley, a current Newstalk ZB stalwart. If you can't beat them, hire them? Also: official election launch parties kickstart a campaign already…
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38 min
Hager headlines, putting down the watchdog, regional news cuts, propaganda & pie prices
Critics complained there was no smoking gun. Supporters said it shone a light on a sinister spiderweb. How did the media handle Dirty Work? Also: journalism jobs at risk in the reg…
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26 min
Midweek - Hagerpalooza, preppers' delight, Seymour on Report
What mark has Nicky Hager's 'Dirty Work' made 24 hours after a rock gig-like launch? Also - TVNZ doco spotlights Kiwi preppers, & Deputy PM buries his boycott of Morning Report Go…
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37 min
Phillips report & the full story, retail politics
The fugitive Tom Phillips was huge news when the hunt for him ended tragically a year ago - and again with this week’s official report. But can our media tell the full story even n…
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24 min
Midweek - Phillips report, CRL mania, election event angst, mascot wars
The Phillips report the media have been waiting for. Also: CRL is go, media mascot v mascot, live election event tension & the hyrox horrorGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more…
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35 min
Political food fights, pondering the passing of journalism
The media seized on the politics of food this week, when the Greens floated state-owned supermarkets and 1News lifted the lid on emergency food grant refusals. Also: who pays when…
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24 min
Midweek - TVNZ's next news chief, cartoons & mascots, Sky sorry again
TVNZ takes Stuff exec for next news chief - next year, the legacy of a long-serving cartoonist, mascots make a marketing comeback, Sky TV offside again with fans again for live fou…
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37 min
Political head-to-heads hot up, are prediction markets legit news?
Odds from Polymarket are popping up in our news, even though it's illegal here. But are prediction markets a legit source of news anyway? Also: head-to-head clashes between politic…
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22 min
Midweek - plane crazy, animal ads & monkey mascots, debate update
Was the Capetown flyover a PR masterstroke or disaster? Also - netball's bounceback, animal ads & monkey media mascots and an election debate update. Go to this episode on rnz.co.n…
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34 min
Parties pull plug on social media for teens, sports boosts broadcasters, Dolly dies
The two big political parties want to pull the plug on social media for teens. But will ‘fast-following’ Australia work? Also: TV broadcasters cite soccer in boosted financials - a…
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21 min
Midweek - rugby hype & outage outrage, ratings & results, Whakaata Māori
Media amp up the 'Great Rugby Rivalry'. Also: RNZ ratings, NZME results, Whakaata Māori changes, Raw Politics returns. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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37 min
Political twitch on taxing big tech, Kiwis' media maturing?
It’s a full time job these days working out who the audience is, what they want and if they might get it elsewhere. What does the the biggest survey yet of Kiwis' media habits tell…
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25 min
Midweek - RNZ shrinks as web stats soar, alt-media . . . & old-media?
RNZ could shed 10 percent of staff in a year - as its digital audience hits new heights. Also - a round-up of political alt-media and old-media action, including Jackson v GarnerGo…