This week, the police canned its controversial Armed Response Teams after plenty of critical coverage in the media - much of it drawing parallels with George Floyd’s killing in the US and the conduct of heavily-armed cops there. But did we get a full picture of how and why our police bear arms in the first place?

This week's move down to Level One was heralded by the media here and overseas as a major achievement - and the welcome return of more freedom in our daily lives, including sport with fans in  the stands. But some talk radio hosts painted a picture of crippling fear which often at odds with their own opinions in the past. ​

This week's move down to Level One was heralded by the media here and overseas as a major achievement - and the welcome return of more freedom in our daily lives, including sport with fans in  the stands. But some talk radio hosts painted a picture of crippling fear which often at odds with their own opinions in the past. ​

A dispute is brewing between the popular Facebook page 'Shit Towns of New Zealand' and The Rock over the station's weekly segment 'Poo Towns of NZ'.

A dispute is brewing between the popular Facebook page 'Shit Towns of New Zealand' and The Rock over the station's weekly segment 'Poo Towns of NZ'.

'Arms Down' call wins the day; controversial proposal for Maori news 'one stop shop' returns; freedom or fear - mixed messages on Level One; Shit Towns v Poo Towns showdown.

'Arms Down' call wins the day; controversial proposal for Maori news 'one stop shop' returns; freedom or fear - mixed messages on Level One; Shit Towns v Poo Towns showdown.

A long-awaited and overdue official report on the future of Māori media has raised fears among journalists that a ‘one-stop-shop’ for Māori news may reduce the range of reporting in order to save money. But the idea is not new, says Mediawatch - and neither is the concern about it.

A long-awaited and overdue official report on the future of Māori media has raised fears among journalists that a ‘one-stop-shop’ for Māori news may reduce the range of reporting in order to save money. But the idea is not new, says Mediawatch - and neither is the concern about it.

In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about a revolt inside the New York Times newsroom, and questions whether New Zealand media should be stricter about the opinions they broadcast.