The Wire with Manny

Is reality show ruining society? Or is it just entertainment. It’s showing no signs of slowing down, with the popularity of shows like the Bachelor and Love Island seemingly on the rise. Kelly Enright had a talk with AUT academic Professor Thomas Owen about the potential downsides to the genre. And to present a balanced argument we invited Jane Yee, the host of The Real Pod, a podcast about reality TV produced by the Spinoff, to chat with Stewart Sowman-Lund about why it’s such good entertainment.

A recent study has found children are exposed to alcohol advertising on average 4.5 times per day in Aotearoa. The industry self-regulates their advertising, something critics say is ineffective and the government needs to get involved. Lachlan spoke with lead author of the Study Tim Chambers from Otago University.

Oscar talked to Filipo Levi, the community liason manager of South Auckland Middle School, one of the charter schools under the Villa Education Trust, about religious education in New Zealand and the structure, freedom and legitimacy of charter and character schools.

Controversial Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux will be speaking in Auckland this Friday at an undisclosed location. The two have courted controversy over their views on Muslims, refugees, multiculturalism, and as of this week Aboriginal Australians. Earlier this month they were banned from speaking at Auckland Council venues. Their event was initially canceled but is now back on. A rally has now been organised for this Friday to protest Southern and Molyneux and their views who many label as being views of fascists and white supremacists. Sam Smith spoke to one of the organisers of the Rally Against Racism Tima Thurlow.