Lucinda Baulch became an MIQ martyr and a cause celebre for Covid sceptics when she refused a Covid test and was held for a second stint in MIQ. The media reported her reasons for refusal in detail and made her stance appear almost rational - but not her fringe beliefs and anti-lockdown activism which were easy to find on the internet.

Last week Facebook turned off Australian users’ access to news over a looming law change to make them pay to distribute it. This week news is back in their feeds after a face-off with the government there. Australia’s been praised for taking Zuckerberg on - but would news media be better off in the long run without Facebook?

Last week Facebook turned off Australian users’ access to news over a looming law change to make them pay to distribute it. This week news is back in their feeds after a face-off with the government there. Australia’s been praised for taking Zuckerberg on - but would news media be better off in the long run without Facebook?

When Simon Bridges called the Speaker "a twat" in Parliament, media pondered whether this unparliamentary insult was fit to print  - and broadcast. They all decided it was - with one surprising exception. Meanwhile, much worse could be heard during the cricket . . .

Covid cases spark Saturday night scramble for media; MIQ martyr raises red flags10 years after - marking a major milestone in Christchurch; Facebook re-friends Australia after face-off over news; insult for Speaker raises decency dilemma.

When Simon Bridges called the Speaker "a twat" in Parliament, media pondered whether this unparliamentary insult was fit to print  - and broadcast. They all decided it was - with one surprising exception. Meanwhile, much worse could be heard during the cricket . . .

Covid cases spark Saturday night scramble for media; MIQ martyr raises red flags10 years after - marking a major milestone in Christchurch; Facebook re-friends Australia after face-off over news; insult for Speaker raises decency dilemma.

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. This week Colin talks to Karyn Hay about a Covid campaigner getting the oxygen of publicity. Also: 'Novax' Djokovic being a sore winner, a mindblowing radio resource and new apps from Māori TV.

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. This week Colin talks to Karyn Hay about a Covid campaigner getting the oxygen of publicity. Also: 'Novax' Djokovic being a sore winner, a mindblowing radio resource and new apps from Māori TV.

How did the media break last Sunday’s sudden news of a change to Covid-19 alert levels? And how did they cover the response, the science behind it and the decision to shift back down again - just as the arrival of the first vaccine doses fired up sceptics and social media - and kicked off a public campaign to get the facts out.