The Media and Communications Minister, Paul Goldsmith, has announced that the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) will be scrapped, with media to self-regulate instead.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Dr Peter Thompson, Associate Professor in Media and Communications at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University and trustee at Better Public Media, about the change.
The Government has signed a new Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies with Singapore, aimed at keeping crucial goods like fuel, food, medicine and construction materials moving during future crises.
Meanwhile, ACT has released a new immigration policy, framing it as a way to make immigration “work for New Zealand,” with proposals including tougher deportation settings and requirements for migrants.
And leaked emails around New Zealand’s response to US strikes on Iran have raised questions about the coalition’s foreign policy direction.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert on these topics.
Whakarongo mai nei to learn all about getting ready for the cold months ahead as we approach takurua. Ange advises on handy remedies for dealing with seasonal ailments, dry skin, and early-morning pick-me-ups.
Mim Jensen joins Emma Gleason in the studio ahead of her Whammy gig tonight to discuss her new album The Muse, the healing properties of songwriting, and finding yourself through heartbreak. As a special treat, Mim plays two songs live in the bFM studio: Track Star and The Mask. Catch her nationwide tour in Auckland May 7, Christchurch May 29 and Dunedin May 30.
HALFQUEEN chats to Chris about medicinal cannabis being stigmatised within the medical community, Chinese research into the ancient use of cannabis, and a man in Christchurch smoking out of a bong before being arrested.
This week on Sages of the Ages hosts Alex and Castor bring you a blast from the past. Which past? 2010 of course! Through chronomagical sorcery they bring you tracks from artists such as the Naked and Famous, LCD Soundsystem, and Janelle Monáe. They also bring you the latest on 2010s culture, Sillybandz, and New Zealand labour law.
The Government is introducing a new citizenship test on the “responsibilities and privileges” of New Zealand citizenship for future applicants.
Topics will include the Bill of Rights Act, voting rights, and the structure of government. Other proposed questions include human rights, certain offences, and general democratic principles.
Currently, applicants only need to sign a form stating that they understand these topics. Existing requirements regarding residency, good character, and English skills will remain.
The change was announced by Internal Affairs Minister and ACT MP Brooke van Velden, who says, “people seeking citizenship should understand New Zealanders believe in certain rights, like freedom of speech, or that no one person or group is above the law.”
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Sher Singh, President of the Migrant Rights Network, about this change.
New research from the University of Auckland has found children’s screen use is linked with later difficulties in skills like attention, planning, self-control, and emotional regulation. The study pulled together 58 studies from around the world, with 81 percent showing at least one negative association between screen use and executive function over time. Researchers caution this does not prove causation, but say the findings raise important questions about how screen use affects children’s development.
Producer Pranuja spoke with Doctoral Researcher Claire Reid about what the research found, what executive function actually means, and how parents, schools, and policymakers should think about healthy screen use.
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