RNZ: Mediawatch

The Wintec Press Club was one of few forums for free and frank discussions between journalists and newsmakers. When Wintec pulled the plug recently it looked like the end of the of the story, but a new club has arisen in Hamilton with satirist Steve Braunias at the helm.

Rugby World Cup coverage goes online; the man bankrolling the big journalism awards, Hamilton is the country's press club hub.

The Rugby World Cup in Japan next year will be screened here by TVNZ and telco Spark. For the first time, fans who want every game live will have to pay to watch it online. Is it a significant moment for the way we watch our sport?

Taika Waititi has spoken out about racism in New Zealand previously without controversy. So have other entertainers. Why did our media suddenly seize on another recent passing comment of his - four days after it was first published?

Fed up with years of cuts administered by its owners, The Denver Post’s staff told them to get lost this week - in the pages of their own paper. A former Denver Post editor tells Mediawatch why - and what happened next.

While the media celebrated our medalists on the Gold Coast this past fortnight, they also milked the misery of some of those who failed to fire. 

Taika's blurt makes media mad as f***; milking the misery of our athletes who failed to fire; The Denver Post turns on its owners; talk radio fact-checking.

Labour's ten-year plan for transport had a lot in it for the media to explain, but coverage focused on political claims and counter-claims about tax, and complaints about pain at the pump over the price of petrol.

The fallout from Carol Hirschfeld's RNZ resignation and continuing pressure on the broadcasting minister Clare Curran were closely covered by the media again this week. Where are we now in the saga The Listener called 'Curran events'  - and what will be in the next episode?

TVNZ gave away the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and Sky TV was the only game in town again four years later. Mediawatch asks why TVNZ has decided to go for gold with the Games again this year and if it's a sign of things to come for other live sports - including the Rugby World Cup.

Transport plan sparks road rage of the front page - and on air; TVNZ gets back in the Games; the latest episode of 'Curran affairs'

Aussies cheating at cricket against South Africa half a world away had nothing to do with us. But it seemed like nothing else was in the news after the scandalous story first broke.

One morning meeting late last year led to a key RNZ executive suddenly quitting this week - and intense pressure on the broadcasting minister to do the same. Mediawatch looks at how that happened and asks RNZ’s boss what this means for the big-budget boost the broadcaster hopes to secure.

Aussie cricket cheating fires up our media; turbulence at the top of RNZ - and the Beehive; tricky questions for visiting VIPS.

The effects of Carol Hirschfeld’s resignation from RNZ over an off-the-books meeting with the broadcasting minister go beyond the broadcaster itself. It comes as the minister was putting in place a system to fund broadcasting at arms’ length from politicians, says Mediawatch.