A year ago, a trial of armed police teams was scrapped with opponents adopting the slogan ‘Arms Down.’ One year on, some in the media are now amplifying calls for arming all officers after the death of PC Matthew Hunt and an increase in officers being confronted by guns.

Kiwi strike Tokyo gold - and give media plenty of colour; ramping up angst over arming police; 'hussey' is OK says BSA (in context)

Kiwi strike Tokyo gold - and give media plenty of colour; ramping up angst over arming police; 'hussey' is OK says BSA (in context)

On this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about an error-strewn academic report, a prominent radio host's abrupt departure, some less-than-sympathetic accounts of people stranded overseas by Covid 19, claims that climate change was missing from reports of the recent floods - and a call to close down 'open letters' by columnists trying to make a point.

On this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about an error-strewn academic report, a prominent radio host's abrupt departure, some less-than-sympathetic accounts of people stranded overseas by Covid 19, claims that climate change was missing from reports of the recent floods - and a call to close down 'open letters' by columnists trying to make a point.

At the biggest national protest for years last week, farmers made it clear they're unhappy with the government and they feel unloved by the country - and the media. The media coverage also revealed a rural / urban divide itself.

At the biggest national protest for years last week, farmers made it clear they're unhappy with the government and they feel unloved by the country - and the media. The media coverage also revealed a rural / urban divide itself.

A group representing our major news media have agreed a set of principles for reporting terrorism and “national security events." It's a response to fears extremists could use the media for their own ends and that disclosures during an emergency could put lives in danger - especially when information is unverified. But does giving ground on this mean the media surrender their right to publish in the public interest?

A group representing our major news media have agreed a set of principles for reporting terrorism and “national security events." It's a response to fears extremists could use the media for their own ends and that disclosures during an emergency could put lives in danger - especially when information is unverified. But does giving ground on this mean the media surrender their right to publish in the public interest?

The data is clear: economists' forecasts are often wrong. Given their track record, shouldn't these prognostications come with more caveats and disclaimers when they're broadcast by the media?