MediaWorks has replaced former politician John Banks as a talkback host and apologised for his comments condemning "stone age" Maori culture and warning "these people will be coming through your bathroom window." But there was plenty more in his programme to offend listeners and alarm advertisers.

It was the worst of times for the media industry but in spite of that, many people produced the work of their lives to give us crucial news-you-could-use in a crisis - as well as sorely needed entertainment. But some also put out mixed messages that countered the collective effort to crush Covid - and the internal dramas of others made the headlines too. Mediawatch sifts through 2020 - a year like no other in the media.

It was the worst of times for the media industry but in spite of that, many people produced the work of their lives to give us crucial news-you-could-use in a crisis - as well as sorely needed entertainment. But some also put out mixed messages that countered the collective effort to crush Covid - and the internal dramas of others made the headlines too. Mediawatch sifts through 2020 - a year like no other in the media.

US news media took a beating from Covid-19 in 2020. Kiwi journalist and entrepreneur Hamish McKenzie runs a publishing platform-Substack - that boomed in 2020, giving journalists important audiences and income. But that success has also given him editorial conundrums to confront.

US news media took a beating from Covid-19 in 2020. Kiwi journalist and entrepreneur Hamish McKenzie runs a publishing platform-Substack - that boomed in 2020, giving journalists important audiences and income. But that success has also given him editorial conundrums to confront.

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately.This week Colin Peacock talks to Karyn Hay about a disputed and deleted (for now) documentary, a foreign-owned beer brand co-opting a patriotic protest for peace; an underwhelming memo for the minister of media - and overwrought reviews of an overwhelming year.

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately.This week Colin Peacock talks to Karyn Hay about a disputed and deleted (for now) documentary, a foreign-owned beer brand co-opting a patriotic protest for peace; an underwhelming memo for the minister of media - and overwrought reviews of an overwhelming year.

Mediawatch looks at how our media companies weathered the storm of Covid-19 in 2020 - and how we've ended up with more independent and locally-owned outlets than we’ve had for years. The chief executive of Stuff Sinead Boucher bought the company for one dollar earlier this year. What will she do with the company in 2021?

Mediawatch looks at how our media companies weathered the storm of Covid-19 in 2020 - and how we've ended up with more independent and locally-owned outlets than we’ve had for years. The chief executive of Stuff Sinead Boucher bought the company for one dollar earlier this year. What will she do with the company in 2021?

As the housing crisis continues to spiral out of control, Hayden Donnell calls for a moratorium on stories about young first home buyers.