A story about a little-known sports journalist losing a brand new job on a radio network that’s not even on air yet surged to the top of the ‘most-viewed’ lists on news websites this week. Why was producer Sam ‘Lashes’ Casey sacked for something he wrote for another media outlet?

Afghanistan's war dropping out of sight; a sexist sports spray sparks a startling sacking; does star power trump media power in sport?

Afghanistan's war dropping out of sight; a sexist sports spray sparks a startling sacking; does star power trump media power in sport?

In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Susana Leiataua about a sacking prompted by a sexist column, some illuminating commentary on proposed hate speech legislation, and some missing voices in  thhe media's coverage of a restaurant industry campaign.

In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Susana Leiataua about a sacking prompted by a sexist column, some illuminating commentary on proposed hate speech legislation, and some missing voices in  thhe media's coverage of a restaurant industry campaign.

A discussion document on proposed hate speech laws generated plenty of discussion in the media - and spurious claims that merely insulting people could be criminalised. Some senior journalists seized on ministers muddying the waters - but did they give the public a clear picture of what’s actually at stake

A discussion document on proposed hate speech laws generated plenty of discussion in the media - and spurious claims that merely insulting people could be criminalised. Some senior journalists seized on ministers muddying the waters - but did they give the public a clear picture of what’s actually at stake

The media has sometimes been guilty of sidelining, shrugging off, or silencing sexual assault and harassment victims. Stuff's Kirsty Johnston talked to Mediawatch about how to centre those victims in reporting.

The media has sometimes been guilty of sidelining, shrugging off, or silencing sexual assault and harassment victims. Stuff's Kirsty Johnston talked to Mediawatch about how to centre those victims in reporting.

Most of us waited out this week's winter storm indoors, with heaters set to high. Not so the nation's journalists, who instead sought out the most miserable places in the country, and stood in the middle of them.