Gavin Ellis
Do 'transformational' budgets need a big bang?
Media commentator Gavin Ellis ponders whether a return to the Big Bang on-the-day announcements of the past, would have persuaded journalists that last week's Budget was more "transformational"? Also… Audio
Pike River reporting, impact on families
Media commentator Gavin Ellis and Kathryn discuss a study by two VUW law professors if the impact of reporting on the families of Pike River mine disaster victims, which makes damning reading. Also a… Audio
Deepfakes - when you shouldn't believe your eyes
Media commentator Gavin Ellis speaks to Kathryn about a new study out this morning which says we should resist rushing into new laws to control "deepfakes". Also, Colin James has just celebrated half… Audio
Emailed news digests and paywalls
In a time poor world, media commentator Gavin Ellis gives thanks for emailed news digests. Also an update on paywalls, including a new Reuters Institute report that shows they are gaining ground. Audio
NZ Herald paywall is up, & who will buy Stuff?
Media commentator Gavin Ellis takes a look at how the NZ Herald's paywall is faring one week on. Also the unwanted parts of the Australian Fairfax empire have been sold by Nine but there is no sign… Audio
NZ Herald paywall & deciphering house price stats
Media commentator Gavin Ellis says there is a lot riding on the New Zealand Herald's imminent paywall - including decisions on whether others will follow suit. Also, the phrase "lies, damned lies and… Audio
John Campbell's musical chairs and a paper's Notre Dame hoaxing
Media commentator Gavin Ellis looks at what TVNZ's up to with John Campbell joining Breakfast, how the hoaxing of the Taranaki Daily News over Notre Dame is a good lesson to take nothing for granted… Audio
Media freedom, Assange & regional cyber attacks
Media commentator Gavin Ellis says the arrest of Julian Assange is not an assault on media freedom if he faces hacking or rape charges. Also, an unprecedented privilege: The NZ Herald gave over its… Audio
Fijian apology versus media freedom
Media commentator Gavin Ellis talks to Kathryn about the Fiji Prime Minister's apology to three wrongfully-detained New Zealand journalists, claiming it rings hollow when it comes from the man… Audio
Words, hate speech laws, & editorial judgement
Words mean everything in hate speech laws and Media commentator Gavin Ellis says we're not very good at finding the right ones, claiming Andrew Little's review is well-meaning but fraught with… Audio
Media coverage of accused Christchurch shooter, naming or not?
Media commentator Gavin Ellis talks to Kathryn about the how the news media will refer to the Christchurch mosques murder accused, in light of the Prime Minister saying he will be nameless as far as… Audio
Duty of care for media covering Christchurch massacre
Media commentator Gavin Ellis looks behind the coverage of last Friday's horrific shootings, with media executives putting in place counselling services for journalists who may suffer post traumatic… Audio
Is the Michael Jackson music ban a slippery slope?
Media commentator Gavin Ellis talks to Kathryn about the decision by commercial radio stations to ban Michael Jackson's music and whether it is a slippery slope. Could they ban an artist because… Audio
Cardinal Pell, court suppression in the digital age
Media commentator Gavin Ellis looks at the case against Cardinal George Pell in Australia and how it has once again raised the inability of court suppression orders to deal with the digital age - and… Audio
Media commentator Gavin Ellis
Gavin Ellis says Steve Braunias demonstrated during the Malcolm Rewa trial that 'colour stories' still have a place in taking the public into the courtroom, but it's a special skill. Also there's… Audio
Eroding Journalism
Media commentator Gavin Ellis speaks to Kathryn about examples of the erosion of journalism. These include the Cairncross Report in the UK highlighting the need for intervention, more redundancies and… Audio
Brace for a tsunami of disinformation
With elections on every continent, media commentator Gavin Ellis is warning there will be a tsunami of disinformation this year. Also two legal cases with implications: Australia is testing media… Audio
PR shields & digital startups shed staff
Media commentator Gavin Ellis says if DHBs want to retain public confidence they must emerge from behind the shield of their PR departments. The Taranaki Daily News used its front page on Saturday to… Audio
Media ethics over Roastbusters, US information shutdown
Media commentator Gavin Ellis examines the ethical decisions that confronted the media over the Jami-Lee Ross, Sarah Dowie text exchange inquiry, and also the reportage surrounding an interview with… Audio
Talk radio battle, Stuff break-up & NZME paywall
Media commentator Gavin Ellis looks at the issues facing media here and internationally. On the homefront, a battle royal in talk radio, the break-up of Stuff and a slow start to the NZME paywall. Audio