Mediawatch Fugitive family & public interest, Te Pāti Māori v MSM, AI news to save newsrooms?
Sep 13, 2025
In a thought-provoking discussion, guest Peter Fowler, a former RNZ journalist and founder of Voxpop, dives into the media's ethical dilemmas following the violent death of fugitive Tom Phillips. He shares insights on the complex balance between public interest and family privacy. The conversation also touches on Te Pāti Māori's emerging tensions with mainstream media, reflecting on their growing disengagement. Lastly, Fowler discusses the promising role of AI in journalism, suggesting it could revitalize struggling newsrooms while navigating challenges of accuracy and bias.
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Long-Term Reporting Built Context
- Reporters tracked the Phillips family story over years and accumulated deep context about the children's situation.
- Tony Wall and Patrick Gower described the family's weariness with media intrusion and the complexity behind simple public narratives.
Public Interest Versus Child Privacy
- Media had to balance public interest with children's privacy and ongoing police investigations.
- Emergency injunctions and editorial decisions quickly limited what outlets could publish despite widespread public appetite for details.
Leaked Police Audio Sparked Legal Threats
- Stuff published leaked police radio audio and drew police ire for risking investigations and staff distress.
- Police said the publication was "grossly irresponsible" and could breach law, prompting talk of legal action.