Broadcasting Policy
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
Can news media innovate to survive?
The future of news on TV is still in the balance after news of planned cuts at TVNZ and the complete closure of Newshub. The government’s working on a policy but the PM has warned that media companies…
Coming up
TV news meltdown: what will government do?
The future of TV news and current affairs is in the balance at our two biggest TV broadcasters - both desperate to cut costs as their revenue falls. The government says it’s now preparing policy to… Video
Coming up
What are the political parties' plans for media?
The media have been a political football this year - and now some politicians are complaining the media are against them in this election. But hundreds of millions of dollars of public money is spent… 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
New minister in charge at a pivotal media moment
Legislation to create a new public media entity entered Parliament this week. Mediawatch talks to the new broadcasting minister Willie Jackson about how that will work, the future of Māori media - and… Audio
Experts appointed to oversee new public media plan
The Government has appointed eight people to oversee a business case for a new public media entity to replace state owned TVNZ and RNZ. The minister of broadcasting and media Kris Faafoi says he plans…
Coming up
Broadcast bosses quizzed about bias - but not the big picture
The bosses of state-owned RNZ and TVNZ fronted up to MPs for their annual review at Parliament this week. The government’s proposal to replace both of them by 2023 is the big issue for both of them -… Audio
Election 2020: Media policy slips down the queue
Vote-chasing political parties push policies on big ticket issues like tax, health and education in the run-up to an election, and plans for broadcasting and media are often left to the last minute -… Audio
Is the Covid crisis over for commercial media?
Six months ago, commercial media companies pleaded for government help and pundits warned their days could be numbered. Most cut costs, jobs and pay to stay afloat. But this week, two of New Zealand's… Audio
MPs on the way out strike back at media
Politicians’ conduct has sparked stacks of media condemnation lately amid a surge of scandals and sudden resignations. But two MPs quitting politics this past week took a swipe at the media on the way… Video, Audio
A model for RNZ’s new youth service?
RNZ’s planned new music-based outlet to hook younger people has been met with scepticism - even scorn - during the current controversy over RNZ Concert. RNZ bosses and pundits have singled out… Audio
TVNZ chief faces future dilemma
Kevin Kenrick leads the broadcaster that pulls in the biggest audiences in the country and the most money from advertising. But TVNZ - like state-owned RNZ - will be folded into a new public media… Audio
Minister lifts the lid on public media plan - a little
The government's been criticised for making ts long-awaited plan for public broadcasting behind closed doors. This week the broadcasting minister Kris Faafoi lifted the lid a little, but the new… Audio
TVNZ's local content play
As the government ponders its policy for the media, state-owned TVNZ has got a green light to put millions of dollars into ”betting big on local content”. This week it unveiled its programmes for… Audio
TV sell-off prompts political response
MediaWorks' move to cut off its TV arm has swung the spotlight onto the government's plans for broadcasting. Politicians sent out distinctly mixed messages this past week ranging from staged… Audio
MediaWorks TV on the block - what next?
Broadcasting company MediaWorks intends to sell off its television operations, putting TV channels Three, ThreeLife, the joint-venture Bravo and news service Newshub in limbo - and hundreds of jobs… Audio
Sudden comedy cuts no laughing matter for MediaWorks
Broadcaster MediaWorks is cutting key local TV comedies. Mediawatch says it’s a further sign of the company’s deepening problems and wider troubles in free-to-air television. And it is also a headache… Audio
Broken Estate: an expat expert surveys our media
Melanie Bunce cut her teeth in journalism at the Otago Daily Times. Now she teaches and researches it at one of the UK’s most prestigious journalism schools and tracks the trends that shape the… Audio
Media company calls out its rival and the government
Struggling news media companies have been lobbying the government behind the scenes for some time. On Thursday broadcaster MediaWorks put it all out in the open, telling the minister responsible its… Audio