The Bill setting out the role and obligations of the new public media entity easily passed its first reading in Parliament this week. Members of the public can finally have their say on the plan formed behind-closed-doors when a Parliamentary committee scrutinises the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill over the next six months.

Parliament’s press pack and political pundits alike made a big deal of Greens’ grass roots dissent undermining James Shaw’s leadership after last week’s AGM. But only a few of the many reports and commentaries sounded out the people at the heart of the issue.

A media report this week suggested TVNZ allowing some personalities to promote products online could cause conflicts of interest - and pose a problem in future within the new media entity replacing the broadcaster.  But the strongest concern about that came from a surprising source.

Revolt among Greens' grass roots excites media; new public media legislation takes another step; conflict of interest claims; shock of the news - the art of short, sharp theme tunes.

What makes a good tune to go with the news today? Big, bold and bombastic? Subtle and smooth? Trad or mod? Mediawatch asks a journalist with world’s biggest collection of news theme music - and get his picks of the world's best and worst.

In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Bryan Crump about a big resignation at TVNZ, media outlets getting it right on climate coverage, news stories vanishing without trace, and Christopher Luxon's Hawaiian holiday timeline tangle.

Why did criticism of a modest sum spent on a single mini-documentary made two years ago suddenly spring up in the news in two national networks this week - and then disappear?

An effort to shield the under-fire All Blacks coach from a media mauling last weekend fired up commentators already cranky about the high-handedness of rugby bosses. But given the intensity of some media calls for heads to roll, Mediawatch asks a veteran sportswriter if the move made sense.

Media go in boots 'n' all on All Blacks coach - and comms; latest women's sports coverage stats reveal good and bad news ;criticism of mini-doco funding hits a dead end

In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about an outpouring of grief and opprobrium following the All Blacks' home series loss to Ireland, an uproar over a comedian's venture into political coverage, and a threat to free speech we hardly talk about.