An NZME takeover? Read between the lines

Newspaper publishers have become a hunting ground for global private equity funds. (Image: Depositphotos)

Sat, 12 Mar 2022

Traditional media, particularly newspapers, are under attack from numerous fronts.They are being accused of “fake news” by the extreme right, a claim that has been strongly promoted by former US President Donald Trump. These fake news claims have continued to gain momentum, as shown by the recent protests in Wellington.More and more people believe what they read on Facebook and other social media and aggressively argue that a contrary opinion is fake news.Newspapers are also under huge pressure as they continue to leak advertising r...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket dragged down by a2, Ebos

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 13,074.81, down 58.34 points or 0.44%.

Graham Skellern 6:05pm

World

Australia’s second-quarter growth better than expected

The economy grew by 0.6% in the second quarter from the prior quarter.

The Wall Street Journal 3:50pm

Australia’s second-quarter growth better than expected

Primary Sector

New rules cut red tape for food exporters

No need for special exemptions from Sept 25.

Rebecca Howard 3:15pm

New rules cut red tape for food exporters

Sponsored

Are employers doing enough to prepare workers to retire well?

When one third of the New Zealand workforce is aged 55 or older – are employers doing enough to help them prepare for retirement?

Moneyfit

Sponsored

Bold Steps: reshaping women’s leadership in Aotearoa

Dame Therese Walsh and Dame Joan Withers reflect on the summit’s unlikely beginnings – and how it has evolved into a platform for ambition and impact today.

OnBeingBold