State Broadcaster RNZ has made an on air apology after admitting it left out critical context while criticising a talkback host.

The programme Media Watch co- presented by host Hayden Donnell was critical of some talkback hosts for “playing down” Cyclone Gabrielle which devastated the eastern North Island.

However, RNZ was forced to apologise after it quoted Tim Beveridge’s comments about the cyclone, but missed out context.

The content was first broadcast on February 19th while its written content was posted on Newshub’s website, under their content sharing agreement.

On Sunday, RNZ Media Watch host Colin Peacock delivered the on-air apology.

A written version was also posted online saying “an earlier version of this story quoted Tim Beveridge’s comments about hyperbolic media coverage of the incoming Cyclone Gabrielle without noting he had also expressed clear concern about its potential impact.

Mediawatch went on to describe as “trivialising” other comments by other Newstalk ZB hosts broadcast after Cyclone Gabrielle had made landfall.

This wrongly implied that Tim Beveridge’s comments were also trivial.

This wasn’t intended, but not enough care was taken to ensure the distinction was clear. RNZ apologises to Tim Beveridge for that lapse” RNZ said.