Odds from Polymarket are popping up in our news, even though it's illegal here. But are prediction markets a legit source of news anyway? Also: head-to-head clashes between politicians, and with presenters, are heating up, but not always generating light.

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In this episode:

1:10 Media picking apart political bickering over delayed fuel tax.

5:50 Greens double down on misleading claims about MPs houses.

8:02 Act pushed back on media criticism of policy to put ‘reside’ back in ‘residency’ rules.

11:35 ZB host takes on Wellington mayor on Tiaki Wai rollout.

17:05 Polymarket predictions popping up in our news, six months after it became illegal for NZers to use.

23:11 Newsroom.co..nz senior business reporter Andrew Bevin on how prediction markets work and whether their odds are legit news or not.

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Was the Capetown flyover a PR masterstroke or disaster? Also - netball's bounceback, animal ads & monkey media mascots and an election debate update.

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The two big political parties want to pull the plug on social media for teens. But will ‘fast-following’ Australia work? Also: TV broadcasters cite soccer in boosted financials - and Dolly’s death triggers sadness.

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Media amp up the 'Great Rugby Rivalry'. Also: RNZ ratings, NZME results, Whakaata Māori changes, Raw Politics returns.

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It’s a full time job these days working out who the audience is, what they want and if they might get it elsewhere. What does the the biggest survey yet of Kiwis' media habits tell them about us? Also: politicians twitch about media, big tech and tax.

Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website

In this episode:

Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts

00:48 Politicians twitch over taxing big tech - and why media policy’s rarely a priority for political parties with an eye on elections.

10:02: The Empire Strikes Back? The latest WATA? survey shows ‘old’ local media more popular with more Kiwis, while previously fast-rising online offshore offerings are in retreat.

17:30 NZ on Air chief exec Cameron Harland says 2026 WATA? shows Kiwi media habits maturing into a balance of free vs paid, local vs global platforms. How does that influence where NZOA spends $100m a year of our money on content?

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RNZ could shed 10 percent of staff in a year - as its digital audience hits new heights. Also - a round-up of political alt-media and old-media action, including Jackson v Garner

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A single Herald story sparked a political drama and a media frenzy could have toppled the PM, but didn't . . . again. Also: the big TV election debates have yet to be set yet this time. But one indie outlet is already getting heavy hitters together to talk policy.

In this episode:

1:23 The media didn’t make up the move against the PM this week - but the made a lot of it, any many picked the wrong victor

14:13 Election debates are usually hotly contested - but not yet this time, so far

24:00 Pat Brittenden on the Big Hairy News debates around the country, persuading politicians to take part - and indie media eating the MSM’s lunch

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PM still standing after repeat defeat of foes. Also: MediaWorks sold offshore, commentator heads for court over claims made online, are NZ media audiences maturing? And Tangy Fruits were lame.

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How did a single media inquiry stop a multi-million-dollar health programme for prisons? Also: political parties competing for media attention on their election policies; politicians talking s*** - literally; and an unexpected local story from ‘spycops’ revelations in the UK.

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Huge scoop derails FIFA plot, Commonwealth Games weighed up, Luxon's comms under scrutiny again, Kiri Allan's memoir

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Sunday’s no longer a day of rest in politics, as parties pump out policies to set the media agenda. Also: TikTok’s economic impact claims - and what the app is good for in business and politics; reports of diapers on the dancefloor.

Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website

In this episode:

00:55 Policies on parental leave, Pharmac funding and AI data centres were all mixed up in the media as parties jostled for attention this week

15:20 Social media on the election mix with 11 days to go

17:45 TikTok makes big claims about its economic impact here - but says less about the tax it pays.

Hear more on TikTok’s Economic Impact Report this week on The Detail

19:53 The MediaLab’s Antony Young on coverage of TikTok’s report and what the app is good for in business, and political electioneering

30:38 Does the ‘fun’flation-fueled cost of concerts really explain reports of people soiling themselves at big gigs?

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Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details