The careless death of NZ newsrooms is dangerous for democracy

The careless death of NZ newsrooms is dangerous for democracy
The axe has fallen on Newshub and TVNZ, with losses to jobs and news programmes. (Image: NZME)
Paul Catmur
To lose one TV newsroom may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both looks like carelessness. The perilous state of TV news media in New Zealand is not, as Donald Trump would have us believe because they trade solely in "fake news" but because the considerable expense of producing the news is currently not being matched by our propensity to watch it.This is not to say that nobody watches the 6 o’clock news; ask your granny, but unless you’ve been asleep under the sofa, you’ll be aware of the slow decline of TV...

More Opinion

A year of tech milestones
Opinion

Peter Griffin: A year of tech milestones

NZ’s tech sector in 2025 has been a rare bright spot in a decidedly average year.

Peter Griffin 26 Nov 2025
How National learned to love KiwiSaver
Opinion

David Chaplin: How National learned to love KiwiSaver

National is whistling in a different key on savings tax incentives today.

David Chaplin 25 Nov 2025
Why a 5% mortgage for 5 years looks good
Opinion

Cameron Bagrie: Why a 5% mortgage for 5 years looks good

The RBNZ to cut by 25bps this week to 2.25% but then likely done.

Cameron Bagrie 24 Nov 2025