Misinformation
Convenient cities become conspiracy targets
How did a vision to make cities more liveable become twisted into a totalitarian dystopia? Audio
Bonus episode: Ballot box
How the 2023 election campaign is being shaped by the surge in misinformation. Audio
Calls to slow growth of fake news
Greater regulation of social media is being called for, to slow the growth of fake news online.
With the election only a couple of months away, there are some New Zealand-specific solutions being… Audio
Undercurrent – An RNZ series on misinformation in Aotearoa
For most New Zealanders, political violence is something that happens in other countries. But now, in an a election year, it's a clear and present danger. Audio
Offshore outfit rating the reliability of our media
US-based NewsGuard is rating New Zealand's significant news sites for reliability - and even preparing ‘nutrition labels’ to warn users to treat them with caution. NewsGuard is also using human… Video, Audio
Posie the provocateur captures media's attention
The fly-in fly-out visit of provocateur Posie Parker was obviously a divisive issue - with people going to court to try to prevent it and then taking to the streets when that failed. Opponents drowned… Audio
Complaints about antivax lawyer unresolved after 18 months
People who have complained about the conduct of lawyer Sue Grey and the spread of Covid disinformation say months on they are still waiting for their concerns to be addressed, while Sue Grey continues… Video, Audio
'Funny Boy' Williams caught up in current affairs
The comedy current affairs of self-styled ‘volunteer journalist’ Guy Williams made real news recently when his now-notorious interview with Auckland mayoral hopeful Leo Molloy aired on TV. He’s also… Video, Audio
Candidates for council: How much do we know about them?
It's local election season - but how much do we really know about the candidates standing for council? Audio
Mediawatch: Mounting fake news prompts calls for action
Two government agencies have revealed mounting concern about the intensity and the impact of online misinformation - and prompted loud calls for government action. But behind the scenes the… Video, Audio
Measuring trust is tricky with suspicious minds
Last year the biggest annual survey of Kiwis’ trust in news found it was on the slide, though it wasn’t quite clear why. Since then there’s been plenty of anti-media sentiment at anti-government… Audio
Avoiding disinformation on law with explanations
When weird claims are made about bills and laws, where can you check the truth if you don’t have a degree in the arcana of legal drafting? Audio
The risks of reporting displays of discontent - and amplifying aggro
Tuesday’s Covid protest at Parliament was a spectacle that had to be covered, but reporters who did so were targeted by protesters - and not for the first time. Does coverage risk ramping up the… Audio
Experts denigrated by conspiricists - and radio hosts
A fresh analysis of Covid misinformation says it intensified after Delta arrived - and leading public figures and officials have “received specific targeting and abuse” online. But you don't have go… Audio
Science commentator Siouxsie Wiles
This week, Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles tells us about a new study that shows the risk of neurological complications is higher after catching COVID-19 than getting vaccinated and answers… Audio
Pressure piling up on tech titans - Australia leading the charge
Big tech platforms have failed to tackle the misinformation and toxicity they spread - and their dominance of the market for digital media revenue is becoming increasingly obvious. Australia's… Video, Audio
Siouxsie Wiles on Covid-19, women in science and being called a Satanist
Science communicator Siouxsie Wiles spoke about Covid-19, conspiracy theories and how being a goth teenager led her into microbiology, at the 2021 NZ International Science Festival. Audio
The campaign using humour to kill misinformation
The people behind the wildly successful porn campaign are back with an edgy series aimed at kids on fake news. Audio
Gut bug transfer, Covid's effects on the brain
Science commentator Siouxsie Wiles looks at new research that's found transplanting gut bugs from old to young mice can counteract age-related changes in the brain, another survey that's found how IQ… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch
Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. Colin Peacock talks to Karyn Hay about new data on the media and misinformation in New Zealand - and a new podcast airing anxiety about China's influence… Audio