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 as well as those who work in media.

Presented and produced by Colin Peacock and Hayden Donnell

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Midweek Mediawatch - Sport commentary; hot mics; Kiingi tangi

Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about the art of live sports commentary, coverage of Kiingi Tuheitia’s tangi; and how a 'hot mic' made headlines at the Pacific Islands Leaders’ forum again.
New episode
NZ Warriors image promoting last weekend's farewell NRL match at 'Shaun Johnson Stadium.'

Holding to account, holding the line on media freedom

Mediawatch for 25 August 2024: Holding ministers to account - but also amplifying their spending statements without scrutiny; two editors in Asia holding the line on media freedom; update on advocacy ad angst.

Guns in the gun, Raygun & TV guys' new jobs

Midweek Mediawatch: Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about a lid-lifting Sunday paper scoop about gun crime - and a minister in the spotlight over gun law reform. Also - Australian media go rogue on Raygun, and more Newshub TV talent scooped up by Stuff.
An Alfa carbine rifle.

The good & bad of AI in news, advert aggravation

Mediawatch looks at how the news media are using artificial intelligence these days. What is AI technology good for? What is it bad at? And do media need to be ready for the fake AI content that's undermining news? Also: further fallout from a controversial advert run by The New Zealand Herald.

Herald denies Hobson's Pledge

Midweek Mediawatch: Hayden Donnell talks to Emile Donovan about the Herald backing away from running another ad from Hobson's Pledge, a question going begging in the coverage of the government's benefit sanctions announcement - and a cynical PR move by the All Blacks.
Wednesday's Herald with the front page ad for Hobson's Pledge.

Mediawatch for 11 August 2024

Mediawatch looks back at the media in the middle of political rows about race relations - and why Maori journalists want an apology over a controversial advocacy ad in the Herald. Also: how social media amplified anger over the riots in the UK - and boxing at the Olympics.

AI, the IOC & an AGM

Midweek Mediawatch: Colin Peacock talks to Todd Zaner about reactions to the revelation the Herald used AI to write editorials - and what was revealed by coverage of the National Party's AGM last weekend. Also: some standout Olympic media moments and unexpected acapella jingles.
Winner Noah Lyles (L) of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Jamaica's Kishane Thompson (2R), US' Fred Kerley (R) in the Paris Olympics men 100m final.

Mediawatch for 4 August 2024

Mediawatch looks at a controversy over the use of AI artificial intellgince the New Zealand Herald - and asks if readers should be told when AI technology creates news content. Also: how the media jumped the gun over our lack of medals at the Olympics - and an unconvincing complaint about the All Blacks spurning our media.

Punching below our weight

Midweek Mediawatch: Hayden Donnell talks to Emile Donovan about the Herald using AI for an editorial - and he delves into the disappointment over our lacklustre Olympic medal count so far. Also - peeling back layers of health bureaucracy and a very personal challenge to a reality TV show.
This picture shows the Olympic Rings on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

Mediawatch for 28 July 2024

Mediawatch looks at how the media reacted to the Abuse in State Care report - and the role the media played in bringing the issue to light.
Arezou Zalipour

Biden's bolt blindsides media

Midweek Mediawatch: 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.
ThreeNews host Sam Hayes highlighting the conservative 'Project 2025' manifesto.

Mediawatch for 21 July 2024

Mediawatch looks at what our media made of the government's new emissions plan - and how best to cover global climate change without pumping up people's despair. Mediawatch also talks to an RNZ reporter who got a rare opportunity to find out what's going on Nauru, where journalists have been kept at arm's length for years.

Breakfast gets cooked

Midweek Mediawatch: Hayden Donnell talks to Emile Donovan about TVNZ Breakfast getting dragged into the Trump shooting debate, some NZME criticism from NZME, TVNZ's exclusive interview with isolated Green MP Darleen Tana - and Hayden apologises for mixing up his memes.
Breakfast host Chris Chang lines up a shot on a Trump doll in January 2023.

Mediawatch for 14 July 2024

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.
Episode image

False gods of sport

Midweek Mediawatch: Colin Peacock talked to Emile Donovan Stuff making a solid start with ThreeNews on TV; the British media making a meal of their landslide election and local democracy reporting's financial reprieve. Also: the unhealthy obsession with the world's most famous footballer - and Emile gives Mediawatch the (remixed) gift of music.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after he failed scoring a penalty during a round of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024.

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