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Mediawatch
There's never a shortage of opinions on the media - but Mediawatch looks at it all in detail twice a week, accompanied by to-the-point interviews and analysis. Mediawatch is a must-listen each week for those keen to know more about the news - and each edition must also stand up to the scrutiny of those who work in our media.
Sundays at 9:05am and 10:12pm
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Latest audio
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Midweek - Andrew image explodes, goalie's grief goes global
'That' image of Andrew is one of world's most-reproduced images ever - while a local goalie's grief went global this weekend. Also - The Press looks back on 15 years after the quake; the PM's social… Read more Audio
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NZ First amps up immigration, streaming hits the ceiling
22 Feb 2026Anti-immigration political parties have been boosted in many countries. Now NZ First forcing the issue onto the news agenda. Also: is streaming eating itself? And why did one friendly umbrella gesture… Read more Audio
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Midweek - terrorist's identity, private functions go public
18 Feb 2026Judgments media made reporting the recent court hearing featuring mass-murderer Brenton Tarrant. Also: how two private functions at one private club ended up being very public - and AI accusations on… Read more Audio
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Infrastructure anxiety, AI feeds fake news flood
15 Feb 2026Solid and liquid sewage is streaming into the sea in the capital, as the government says we need to import gas to ease energy shortages. Flaky infrastructure is an election year issue again - but are… Read more Audio
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Infrastructure anxiety, AI feeds fake news flood
15 Feb 2026Solid and liquid sewage is streaming into the sea in the capital, as the government says we need to import gas to ease energy shortages. Flaky infrastructure is an election year issue again - but are… Read more Audio
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Midweek - WaPocalypse now, FLOTUS film flop
11 Feb 2026Turmoil at one of the great names of US media - The Washington Post. Also: the FLOTUS film flop, the sweary hero of our Winter Olympics, an outburst of 'enshitification' Audio
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Bad language on the air & AI in our newsrooms
8 Feb 2026Surveys say we don't yet trust AI in our news, but a new report shows our newsrooms are all using it - even if they're not telling us. Another report says we're more bothered by bad language on air… Read more Audio
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Midweek - Epstein overdrive, Mauao fallout, Luxon on camera
4 Feb 2026Epstein Files hog headlines worldwide as local angles emerge here. Also: more commentary on the tragedy at Mount Maunganui, the PM copping unfair criticism for his visits to the disaster zones, NZ… Read more Audio
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Death and extreme weather test media, NBR copyright crusade
1 Feb 2026The death and devastation in the north was sparked by weather which was extreme - but no longer unexpected. While media mapped out how it happened and lapses in the response, they copped criticism… Read more Audio
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Death and extreme weather test media, NBR copyright crusade
The death and devastation in the north was sparked by weather which was extreme - but no longer unexpected. While media mapped out how it happened and lapses in the response, they copped criticism… Read more Audio
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Midweek - Mauao tragedy, morning news shake-up, solo promos
28 Jan 2026How media reported the Mauao disaster and devatation elsewhere - and political counter-claims at a time of tragedy. Also morning news shake-up ahead, netball's media problems, and the art of the solo… Read more Audio
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Economic forecasts, weather forecasts, summer break clickbait
21 Dec 2025How should media handle the mixed messages on the economy as politicians and pressure groups push policy and public opinion? Also: The fall of The House of Du Val, TVNZ's courtroom dramas, unsettling… Read more Audio
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Mediawatch
Sundays at 9:05am and 10:12pm
Follow this podcast.
- Email mediawatch@radionz.co.nz
- Follow @MediawatchNZ on Twitter
On air since 2001 and as a podcast since 2007, Mediawatch looks critically at big stories and issues in the news right now - and what’s going on behind the scenes across the media.
Mediawatch examines the output of reporters, producers and editors - as well as the input of PR and the ad industry. It also questions the executives, policy-makers, politicians, regulators and tech companies which influence our media today.
Colin Peacock, Producer and presenter of Mediawatch
Colin studied journalism at the University of Canterbury then headed overseas to freelance back in the 1990s before pitching up at BBC News for eight years. He worked for BBC World TV and news and sport network 5 Live before ending up as a producer at the World Service. After a stint at World Update, a co-production with Public Radio International in the US, he returned to New Zealand and came to RNZ in 2003. He’s been producing and presenting Mediawatch since 2007.
Hayden Donnell, Mediawatch producer
Hayden Donnell has been a writer, reporter and editor for news outlets including the New Zealand Herald, TVNZ, RNZ and Newshub. In recent years he’s also worked for The Spinoff, where his story on the making of Kim Dotcom’s much-maligned album Good Times won a Voyager award for best entertainment feature. He also presented the web series Get It To Te Papa, which follows his quest to get underappreciated artefacts into our national museum. He joined the Mediawatch team at the beginning of 2020.
