The backers of the second official inquiry into the Covid response say it’s crucial for preparing us for the next pandemic - but the media mostly zeroed in on whether big-name politicians would show up. Also: TVNZ checking itself for bias, a fresh flurry of media French-ification; and do we need to brace for more ‘fiscal hole’ fury in Election 2026?
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website
In this episode:
1:22 The backers of the second Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response said it was crucial to learning lessons for the future, as well as allowing people to have a say. But the media mostly zeroed in on whether big-name politicians would show up at hearings that are still six weeks away.
17:03 Remember in the campaign for the last election - and the one before that - how the big political parties made big claims in the media about billion dollar-deep holes in each others’ policies? We might have to brace for more in 2026.
32:50 TVNZ says it’s planning to check itself for bias. But why - and why now?
37:21 A fresh flurry of French-ification in our media inspired by Les Bleus on tour.
Learn more:
Guests: Dan Brunskill, economics reporter for Interest.co.nz
If you have any thoughts for us - or ideas for us to follow up - get in touch. E-mail mediawatch@rnz.co.nz. You’ll also find us @MediawatchNZ on X.
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