Regional reporting cut back for NZME's new national focus; sports news that was too late - and too early; the controversy over cancer treatment funding missing from the Budget,can we trust surveys of our media which say we don't trust them? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Hayden Donnell talks to Emile Donovan about the government's latest reason for not funding 13 cancer drugs, a mammoth loss expected at TVNZ, AI faking the news and even our contemporary history -and a slight directed at the Ōtaki Today.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Long-running bid to make big tech pay for news hits a snag - so what happens next?; stories based on stats sliced from surveys; shock horror over incomplete houses.Mediawatch looks at how an effort to help the media make much-needed money hit a snag this week. Also - stories based on surveys which didn't tell the full story. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about Duncan Garner's new live morning show - and an old name for a new 6pm TV news show. Also - a couple of awkward moments at this year's national journalism awards and an awkward confrontation between a rugby coach and a reporter; an outlet devoted to the music of the dead - and who gets struck by lightning?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand's big awards for journalists were given out this week at a time when many are losing their jobs. Also - Mediawatch talks to an editor who has secured the future of two important medical magazines in tight times - and looks at coverage of the A-League scandal that's posed some awkward questions with reputations at stake. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Hayden Donnell and Emile Donovan apologise poetically to a small Tararua seaside settlement inadvertently insulted by RNZ online. Also: Stuff launches crime podcasts you pay for - while another new podcast hit a hitch this week; ScarJo's lawyers 1, Chat GPT nil. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A long-running plan to reform the oversight of our media has come to a sudden halt; how public toilets suddenly became political this week.Mediawatch this week looks at how a long-running plan to reform the oversight of our media has come to a sudden stop - and what the consequences might be. Also: why public toilets suddenly became political this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about Fair Go and Sunday coming to a sad but dignified end this week at TVNZ, as the broadcaster itself copped criticism for its handling of the redundancies and closures. Also: a complaint against a newspaper's controversial coverage of roading and new offerings from RNZ. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Pre-budget teasers increase exposure - and scrutiny; Green MP under pressure over conduct; bid to backstop local news; Gaza coverage attract complaints - and prizes.Mediawatch this week looks at how pre-Budget announcements from the government are coming thick and fast - and making plenty of headlines. Also: a plan to save a local newspaper which might just help others stay alive - and an under-fire MP was pursued all the way to the Chatham Islands. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Hayden Donnell talks to Emile Donovan about new hires for the upcoming Stuff-Newshub 6pm bulletin. Also - TVNZ and the journalists' union face off over job cuts while the outgoing boss of TV channel Three took a swipe at its state-owned rival; and a fringe online radio station's set to return after raising money from its listeners. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details