Media
Covid quibbling, Iranian opinion, Peter Bassett update
Another Covid inquiry prompted plenty of pandemic pointscoring - but not so much on the plan for the next one. Also: who speaks for Iranians - and who is Peter Bassett? Audio
Podcast Critic: Sick to Death and The Birth Keepers
Afternoons Podcast Critic Jemima Huston joins Jesse to share what she's been listening to. Sick to Death by The Australian The Birth Keepers by The Guardian Audio
TV Critic: Why Riot Women has got reviewers raving!
TV Producer and Afternoons TV Critic Philippa Rennie joins Jesse to review the following: Riot Women (TVNZ+) Being Gordon Ramsay (Netflix) Audio
Culture 101: Gothic Horror, Arthouse Drama and Korean Noir
Michelle Langstone looks at three films making waves internationally, including The Bride, Maggie Gyllenhaal's punk inspired retelling of the Bride of Frankenstein story, South Korean director Park… Audio
Ron Charles: After job loss, do I still matter?
Ron Charles, a prominent American book critic, joins Jim to discuss job loss and his recent readings on the subject of self-worth. Audio
Fears of interference and influence in news
Two cases this week raised questions about influence on newsrooms from outside - and inside media companies - and sensitivities about the possibility of political interference.
War in the Middle East, political influence concerns at home
It's war in the Middle East again - stretching world news media already stressed by covering conflict. And the lack of clarity from leaders is not helping. Also controversies at two media companies… Audio
War in the Middle East, political influence concerns at home
It's war in the Middle East again - stretching world news media already stressed by covering conflict. And the lack of clarity from leaders is not helping. Also controversies at two media companies… Audio
War in the Middle East, political influence concerns at home
It's war in the Middle East again - stretching world news media already stressed by covering conflict. And the lack of clarity from leaders is not helping. Also controversies at two media companies… Audio
Frankenstein from the Bride's Perspective - Does it wor
Film critic Dominic Corry joins Jesse to review: The Bride! Tenor - My Name Is Pati Charli XCX movie The Moment Audio
Frankenstein from the Bride's Perspective - Does it work?
Film critic Dominic Corry joins Jesse to review: The Bride! Tenor - My Name Is Pati Charli XCX movie The Moment Audio
TVNZ sees sharp drop in half-year profit on back of revenue decline
Revenue fell 12 percent to $134 million, driven by a sharp fall in advertising income.
NZ should be a 'fast follower' not a leader on social media harm, committee lead says
A leading member of the government's inquiry into social media harm says it's important that New Zealand should look at what is working overseas when addressing social media harm. Audio
'Predetermined': ACT critical of inquiry into social media harm
The inquiry into the harm social media causes for young people recommended introducing age restrictions.
Broadcasting minister 'may have grunted' at TVNZ chair
Paul Goldsmith was quizzed about his widely scrutinised exchange with Andrew Barclay by Labour's Reuben Davidson in Question Time this afternoon.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 5 March 2026
The New Zealand government will operate flights to assist with Kiwis needing to get out of the Middle East; The bigger picture about what the war means and why its happening, Geoffrey Millar speaks to… Audio
Media independence is under the spotlight
Media independence is under the spotlight after revelations that the chair of the TVNZ board raised its own journalists' coverage of a law and order story with the broadcasting minister Paul… Audio
Govt accused of scaremongering over overstayer numbers
A Pasifika leader who lived through the Dawn Raids is accusing the government of scaremongering about overstayer numbers. Political reporter Anneke Smith reports. Audio
Politics update: Jo Moir speaks to Corin Dann
Broadcasting minister Paul Goldsmith has confirmed the board chair of TVNZ contacted him after the police minister expressed dissatisfaction with a 1News story about gang numbers. RNZ Political Editor… Audio
Midweek - Different pictures of war, TVNZ's interference fears
Coverage of war breaking out on Iran, influencers' soft power picture shattered, the local angles including a PM punished for fluffing his lines. Also - TVNZ's crime reporting fallout prompt claims of… Audio
