Colin Peacock
TVNZ news cuts and closures in limbo
TVNZ has been told it failed to fulfil obligations to its journalists when it decided to cut dozens of jobs and close news and current affairs shows. The future of journalists and top-rating…
Stuff announces staff for new 6pm news bulletin
The first details about the TV news bulletin that will replace Newshub at 6 from July have been revealed. The producer - Stuff - has hired several senior reporters and producers from Newshub and will…
Call for urgent action to save news
New Zealand news media face "extinction within a few years" without urgent changes to media companies, and the laws and agencies that govern them. That’s the stark warning of a new report… Video
Mediawatch for 5 May 2024
One opinion poll prompts intense political pushback; new report urges sweeping changes to media, law and funding - and fast; Wairoa Star closes after more than a century in print. Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - polls, papers and a post-match snafu
Midweek Mediawatch: Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about an MP taken to task about his knowledge of the arts - and a TV producer taking on a funding agency in court. Also: a new political poll… Audio
Competitive current affairs across the Tasman
While TV news and current affairs shows are becoming an endangered species here, they seem to be still going strong in Australia where broadcasters back the shows with big budgets. But intense…
Mediawatch for 28 April 2024
New media minister rolls in after PM's surprise reshuffle; TV news and current affairs on the way down here, but highly competitive across the Tasman. Audio
Media minister rolled as industry awaits plan
Melissa Lee has been replaced as Minister of Media and Communications after just seven months in the role in which she promised new policy to address the media’s acute problems. Paul Goldsmith now…
Stuff / Newshub deal: a lifeline or the last chance?
This week’s deal to outsource Newshub’s 6pm TV news to Stuff is a bold move for an company that’s never been a broadcaster. Both parties say it’s the way of the digital future, but it will provide a…
Coming up
Mediawatch for 21 April 2024
Stuff is taking over Newshub's 6pm TV news. A bold move for an outfit that's never been a broadcaster before. Will it work? Also: Mediawatch talks to two editors about the latest survey showing… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - Stuff's bold TV play
Midweek Mediawatch - Midweek Mediawatch - Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about Stuff leaping into uncharted waters by taking on Newshub at 6. Also: TVNZ going 'beyond broadcasting,' NZ Post and… Audio
Stuff to provide news bulletins to replace Newshub
Warner Bros. Discovery has done a deal with Stuff to provide news to replace Newshub. It will keep news on TV channel Three from July 6 and help Three retain some viewers. It also means important…
Mediawatch for 14 April 2024
End of TV news as we know it? TVNZ cuts back and Newshub closes down. Newshub's news boss responds; the minister plays for time; a former minister fights back Audio
End of the news as we know it?
This week our two biggest TV broadcasters confirmed plans to cut news programmes by midyear - and the jobs of a significant proportion of this country’s journalists. Many observers said this had been… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - little light at the end of the TV news tunnel
Midweek Mediawatch - Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about an historic day - not in a good way. The confirmation of the closure of Newshub and more cuts confirmed at TVNZ means more than 300… Audio
Newshub closure confirmed: 250 jobs lost
Newshub staff have been told the news operation is to close from the fifth of July with the loss of 250 jobs. Audio
Watchdog says ZB comments 'misleading and discriminatory'
Breaches of the broadcasting standard for discrimination and denigration are rare in news media - but hosts on just one network have now done it three times in the past four years.
Fair Go and daily news bulletins to close at TVNZ
TVNZ has confirmed Fair Go - on air for 47 years - and news shows Midday and Tonight will cease next month. The future of Sunday will be confirmed tomorrow. Meanwhile a decision on alternatives to a… Audio
People's trust in news has tumbled over the past year, survey shows
The latest annual survey of New Zealanders’ trust in news media has recorded another sharp drop. It also finds more people avoid the news- but more people say they’re still interested in it and…
Coming up
Mediawatch for 7 April 2024
We talk to an editor keeping an eye on where public money for public services ends up and the government’s new political action plan gets the media’s attention. Audio