The Wire with Oto

MethaneSAT, a global initiative to track and reduce methane emissions, is launching today. 

Although primarily funded by the US Environmental Defence Fund, the satellite is the first government funded space mission in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The US side of the project will focus on measuring and identifying methane leaks from oil and gas production, while scientists in New Zealand will use the satellite to study global emissions from agriculture. 

Producer, Sofia Roger Williams, spoke to Spacecraft Mission Operations Director at Te Pūnaha Ātea, the Space Institute at the University of Auckland, Chris Jackson, about the launch, New Zealand’s role, and how the data gathered can help us make global and local recommendations to reduce methane emissions. 

Last week, Warner Brothers Discovery announced a major downsizing of its operations in New Zealand, including a proposed closure of all platforms of the newsroom at Newshub at the end of June this year. 

The closure would result in the loss of approximately 300 jobs across the company.

Koi Tū: the Centre for Informed Futures, a think tank at the University of Auckland, is expediting the production of a media policy position paper which will set out factors to address to ensure the survival of journalism in Aotearoa. 

Producer, Sofia Roger Williams, spoke to the leader of the project, honorary research fellow, Dr Gavin Ellis, about the impending proposed closure, concerns about the future of journalism in Aotearoa, and how he thinks we can ensure its survival.

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, also spoke to Head of Journalism at Massey University, Associate Professor James Hollings about the closure of Newshub. 

For our regular catch-up with ACT’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, discussed the government making weapons including semi-automatic rifles more widely available, and designating Hamas in its entirety as a terrorist organisation.

She also spoke to Justice for Palestine Co-Convenor, Samira Zaiton, and Co-Founder of Alternative Jewish Voices, Marilyn Garson, about the government’s stance on Hamas and how the media has covered Israel’s war in Gaza.

Producer Ezra interviwed Associate Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Carrie Leonetti, about the government’s proposed gang patch ban.

Yesterday, Newshub, one of Aotearoa's largest commercial newsrooms, announced it is shutting down.

Up to three hundred people, including journalists and support staff, are expected to lose their jobs

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Senior Lecturer Communication Studies and Head of Journalism at AUT, Greg Treadwell, about what this indicates about the state of journalism in Aotearoa.