Broadcasting
Today FM turned off - and erased
Why did MediaWorks kill a network launched with heavy hype only a year ago - which was also the source of news for half the country's commercial stations? The major media company also scrubbed the… Audio
Henare Kingi: Iconic Maori broadcaster
Henare Kingi (Ngapuhi) spent 25 years as an announcer at Wellington's Te Upoko o Te Ika, the first Maori radio station, from its founding days in the early 1980s. Over those decades, he became a… Audio
Another top-tier departure rocks MediaWorks
MediaWorks’ news boss Dallas Gurney has resigned, soon after the sudden departure of the chief executive who appointed him. It leaves a leadership void at the broadcaster at a tricky time and it casts…
Coming up
Big bills for aborted media merger - but what next?
The broadcasting and media minister spoke about the collapse of the public media merger for the first time this week when a Parliamentary committee asked about the sums spent on it. He gave little… Audio
Signal to noise - is AM radio really under threat?
Old-fashioned AM radio was an information lifeline for many during Cyclone Gabrielle when other sources wilted without power. Now a little-known arrangement that puts proceedings of Parliament on the… Audio
Political pressure on media merger pumped up
Legislation for a new public media entity due by March has been reviewed and is due to be debated in Parliament soon. But pundits and opposition politicians alike are urging the government - now under… Audio
Public media legislation takes another step
The Bill setting out the role and obligations of the new public media entity easily passed its first reading in Parliament this week. Members of the public can finally have their say on the plan… Audio
Mediawatch for 10 July 2022
The worst of times?; Hospo can't find workers - but neither can the media; RNZ changes the tunes for news. Audio
Mediawatch for 3 July 2022
Abortion angst in America triggers media reaction here; Willie Jackson: new minister in charge at pivotal media moment. Audio
'Minor' reshuffle sparks major media reaction
“Just a minor reshuffle” the PM said on Monday - angering political reporters and pundits always on the alert for ministerial downfalls. But it was definitely a major for broadcasting, where a… Audio
Two decades of internet disruption
The Internet hasn’t just disrupted the media business in this millennium so far: it’s transformed it - and, in some cases, overwhelmed it. As he steps down after two decades at Internet NZ, Jordan… Audio
More unanswered questions about public media plan
The government’s planned new Public Media Entity - backed with $109m a year in last week's Budget - was debated in a virtual meeting this week. But beyond expanded public funding for three years… Audio
Re-Platformed: radio outcasts make their own outlet
Sean Plunket has launched a new news outlet for himself - and other broadcasters edged out of talk radio in recent years. The Platform proudly proclaims it's editorially and financially free from any… Audio
Tracey Martin on the RNZ-TVNZ merger
Last month the Government confirmed it will create a new public media entity through the merger of RNZ and TVNZ. Former MP Tracey Martin will chair the nine-member Establishment Board to lead the work… Audio
Mediawatch for 10 April 2022
Planes, trains and automobiles vs. climate change; measuring media trust gets tricky with sus pickups minds; pundit's claim of compromised coverage undermined. Audio
Today FM's Gurney: Dallas cowboy - or talk radio saviour?
Before its launch, the boss of new talk station Today FM promised a new approach eschewing anger and antagonism just for the sake of engagement. The first fortnight's been a mix of some of that - as… Audio
RNZ + TVNZ = new PME in 2023
The government has confirmed it is creating a new public media entity next year to incorporate RNZ and TVNZ. It says the goal is public media 'fit for the future' - but it will be partly funded by ads… Audio
Coming up
Broadcasting ‘flying blind’ on public media plan
What could be the biggest shake-up of public broadcasting for 30 years reportedly got a green light from Cabinet ministers last month. But the public’s still waiting for the government to announce… Audio
Publicly-funded boost for Māori media
For years Māori journalism leaders warned a lack of training, investment and opportunities meant Māori people and perspectives were mostly missing in our media. But more effort and money than ever… Audio
James Cridland: what does the future hold for radio?
All this week RNZ has been celebrating 100 years of broadcasting in New Zealand, the first broadcast having been made on the 17th of November 1921 by Professor Robert Jack from Otago University's… Audio