On this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Bryan Crump about some tough interviews for National's incoming leadership team, a new owner's big plans for Stuff, and journalist joy at a pair of missing trampers being found alive.

The return of TV channels’ political opinion polls piled the pressure on the National Party’s leader and kickstarted Friday’s move to replace him. Covid-19 has changed many things in politics and public life, but the media's intense focus on the party leaders is not one of them.

The return of TV channels’ political opinion polls piled the pressure on the National Party’s leader and kickstarted Friday’s move to replace him. Covid-19 has changed many things in politics and public life, but the media's intense focus on the party leaders is not one of them.

Prominent political pundit Matthew Hooton has withdrawn from commentary for the time being because of a conflict caused by his link to the successful leadership bid of National MPs Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye.

Prominent political pundit Matthew Hooton has withdrawn from commentary for the time being because of a conflict caused by his link to the successful leadership bid of National MPs Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye.

Bridges rolled after polls pile on the pressure; Prominent pundit pulls back over Muller link; Media on the block vulnerable to vultures.

Bridges rolled after polls pile on the pressure; Prominent pundit pulls back over Muller link; Media on the block vulnerable to vultures.

NZME’s bold bid to buy its biggest rival for $1 foundered in the High Court this week. But Stuff - our biggest publisher of news - is still on the block along with the nation’s most popular magazines. What's to stop offshore buyers snapping them up on the cheap in a bid to turn a quick buck?

NZME’s bold bid to buy its biggest rival for $1 foundered in the High Court this week. But Stuff - our biggest publisher of news - is still on the block along with the nation’s most popular magazines. What's to stop offshore buyers snapping them up on the cheap in a bid to turn a quick buck?

You might not know his face, but you probably remember his voice. Māori Television’s Heta Gardiner has been one of the most memorable contributors to the daily Covid-19 briefings