Media Ethics

Controversial comments on co-governance, confusing criticism of the media earned the NZ First’s leader a week’s-worth of headlines and airtime - as well as the unauthorised use of an old English punk…

Scrutiny of political parties' policies intensified this week - and so did the scrutiny of some candidates for seats in Parliament. When TVNZ reported some election candidates’ controversial past… Audio

An RNZ investigation this week revealed ministers and their staff are messaged by lobbyists using apps out of the public gaze - but discoverable under the OIA. In the UK, one minister’s messages… Audio

The communications failures following the downpour  - now under review - weren’t all Wayne Brown’s fault, but the mayor’s antagonistic and arm's-length management prolonged a media pile-on which… Audio

Journalists have long suffered the scorn of the public, rating as poorly as the politicians they report on – and used car sellers – when it comes to trustworthiness. But what New Zealand journalists… Audio

The climate talks in Glasgow are the big global story right now - but it doesn't always feel like it in our news. A climate change reporter tells Mediawatch every journalist should now be one too -… Audio

A group representing our major news media have agreed a set of principles for reporting terrorism and “national security events." It's a response to fears extremists could use the media for their own… Audio

A new analysis finds media coverage is more important than ever after Covid in shaping our perception of leaders’ success, trustworthiness  and transparency (or a perceived lack of them). But - as we… Audio

New research shows New Zealanders' trust in the news media slipping, even when it comes to the news they choose themselves. That's obviously a bad news story for our media - but what can they really… Video, Audio

A news report showing restrained 501-ers being herded onto a repatriation flight while being harassed by an Aussie TV reporter raised hackles here because an Australian minister called it “taking out… Audio

The National Party’s AGM delivered mixed messages last weekend as the president claimed the media lined up against the party at election time - while former PM John Key said the poor performance  at… Audio

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

The Broadcasting Standards Authority has sanctioned Sky TV for screening snippets of the gunman’s video of the Christchurch mosque attacks in March. But other broadcasters escaped censure here and in… Audio

A tragedy involving a Kiwi who died in Peru recently was reported sensitively. The tragic deaths of a Peruvian couple there was turned into morbid clickbait.   Audio

The Mail Online is one of the world’s most popular websites - partly because it recycles the online journalism of other outlets as clickbait. You’ll never believe what happened when New Zealand-based… Audio

Whether to report on false rumours about the PM’s partner created a quandary for the media. Could they report on slurs designed to do damage without playing into the hands of rumour-mongers? Audio

False claims can spread faster than ever in the media these days - far faster than the truth about them can be established. Journalists make things worse "behaving like young people online", says one… Video, Audio