Editorial Reviews

In 2023 the Independent External Review Panel recommended that RNZ regularly assess aspects of its output against its editorial policy through the use of targeted pro-active reviews. 

RNZ accepted this recommendation and committed to completing at least one assessment every year.  

As well as using the assessments to help with editorial training for our kaimahi and sharing them with RNZ’s Editorial Standards Committee and interested groups, the findings will be published. 

This step is being taken because it is important that the public understands the steps we take as a public media organisation to ensure our work is always underpinned by fairness, accuracy, independence, respect, decency and diversity.  

The Israel/Palestine Issues Assessment -  released March 2025 

The assessment involved an examination of RNZ coverage, on-air and online, of news involving Israel and Palestinian authorities and groups to determine whether RNZ’s coverage: 

• Meets broadcasting standards 

• Meets RNZ editorial standards 

• Represents best practice for reporting which even those with strong opinions can accept as accurate and balanced.  

We also asked for the assessment to consider whether there was a benefit in re-stating or developing editorial policies and preferred words and terms related to this to improve RNZ coverage and its acceptability to all audiences.  

Why did RNZ commission this assessment? 

RNZ recognises that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is a contested issue with strong opposing views and due to the complex nature of the conflict and the level of feedback RNZ receives, it warranted an independent assessment.  

What did it find?  

You can read the full assessment here

It is important to note the review found that overall complaints to RNZ over the period since the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on October 7 2023 and the subsequent Israel military actions in Gaza and other areas and the decisions of the Media Council and Broadcasting Standards Authority give no reason for concern that RNZ is acting outside its own policy, the Media Council Principles or the standards administered by the Broadcasting Standards Authority. 

Nevertheless, the assessment makes a series of recommendations that the author says may reduce complaints and reduce concerns among listeners and readers about RNZ’s upholding of standards and its reputation for accuracy, balance and fairness. 

You can read the recommendations and whether or not RNZ accepted, partially accepted or rejected the recommendation and actions as a result here.