RNZ: Mediawatch

Fairfax Media’s investigative series The Valley is New Zealand's most ambitious multimedia journalism project yet. It combines TV documentary, interactive content and even virtual reality - and for the first time all this was funded from the public purse. What did it reveal?    

A “throwaway line” on TV has put pressure on TVNZ for its choice of opinionated presenter Mike Hosking to host its live pre-election election leaders’ debates.

Multimedia effort to cut through the fog of war in Afghanistan; Mike makes a mess with the Maori Party; F-bombs, lipstick on pigs and the PM's pimples

$18 cabbages? An extra $75 for wine? Eye-watering claims about the crippling costs of charging for water floated free in the media this past week - even in the rural press which should have known better.

New research from the broadcasting regulator has found that many New Zealanders willingly share stuff on social media,but they reckon broadcasters should get permission to use it. Is that realistic now that so much is shared so widely by so many online?

New Zealand's main awards for business journalism have been scrapped after most media withdrew because the sponsor vetoed an entry critical of a client. But the sponsor still refuses to address the issue.

Floating flaky facts on water; how the news media mine social media for stories; a silent sponsor's PR fail.

The blame for Metiria Turei's downfall is being spread in many directions - including hers. But some are pointing the finger at the media and their appetite for winners, losers and scalps.

While one political party leader was cast into the depths last week, the popularity of another one hit new heights. Mediawatch looks at the coverage of Labour’s new leader and asks two news bosses if it's gone over the top.

Inquests aplenty after Green leader goes; Jacindamania hits new heights; Mike in the middle of debates.

Mediawatch asks TVNZ's news boss why he's picked a person guaranteed to raise questions about balance and bias as the moderator for important election debates.

New last-minute leaders for Labour have changed the story of the upcoming election for the media. But did they make a drama out of those opinion polls which forced the issue in the first place?  

The Ardern ascent set the news agenda this past week, even if it was in part due to unwanted questions about babies. How long will the honeymoon last and how long will “new car smell” linger?  

Canadian author and activist Naomi Klein has called for time limits on professional pundits appearing heavily in the media. As the usual suspects take up ever more airtime ahead of our election, is it an idea whose time has come here?

An abusive, career-ending tirade unleashed by Donald Trump’s former communications director recently was certainly newsworthy. But the media struggled to report the full fury of his outburst while also keeping it clean for the audience.