COMMENT: This week, it seems, we are through the looking glass, writes Raybon Kan.

Australia's APN and rival publisher Fairfax say they are in talks to merge their NZ businesses which would create the biggest stand-alone media company.

APN News & Media and its NZME unit in New Zealand would become more attractive takeover targets after demerging.

APN News and Media and Fairfax Media are in "exclusive talks" to fold their local operations - NZME and Fairfax NZ - into a listed NZ media company.

The proposed merger is tipped as building a business with the scale needed to compete with global media platforms.

As APN prepares to announce a potential A$200 million capital raising, speculation around a New Zealand merger with Fairfax continues.

A merger between the New Zealand operations of NZME and Fairfax Media would require Commerce Commission approval, say analysts.

COMMENT: The life of a CEO can be tough and Weldon's demeanour at the GeoOp meeting clearly showed that the MediaWorks job had got the better of him.

COMMENT: Radio New Zealand may sell some of its property portfolio to replenish its coffers.

The Reserve Bank has banned MediaWorks from its media conferences as punishment for journalists leaking sensitive market information.

COMMENT: Here are some sizzling thoughts on how to present the news of the week.

Hilary Barry staying on could be the victory the embattled broadcaster MediaWorks needs to ensure a viable future.

Mark Weldon was not a "cultural fit" at MediaWorks, says the company's former head of news and current affairs Mark Jennings.

Mark Weldon's reign of TV3 saw the departure of high-profile journalists, including John Campbell and Hilary Barry.

Mark Weldon's resignation from MediaWorks has triggered harsh reactions on social media.

COMMENT: MediaWorks owner Oaktree Capital is more closely overseeing TV3, Four and half the country's commercial radio stations.

Jane Hastings is heading across the ditch to take on the role of chief operating officer for Event Hospitality and Entertainment in Sydney.

COMMENT: It's easy to see the leaking of an official cash rate decision from a Reserve Bank lockup as a one-off mistake by MediaWorks.

Augusta Capital has bought NZME House in Auckland for $115.8 million with plans to bundle the property into a syndication investment offer.

Laura McGoldrick's biggest fan - her husband Martin Guptill - will tune in from India tomorrow to watch her debut on a groundbreaking digital news show.

The New York Times publication will invest $50 million over the next three years to increase its digital audience.

NZME is launching The Country, which will see its radio, digital and print brands merge to become the hub for all rural content.

Rialto Channel is moving into the Asian pay TV market and taking a "significant" investment in a Hong Kong-based TV distributor, writes John Drinnan.

"The leak is a serious and disappointing breach of many years of trust," Governor Graeme Wheeler said.

Telemarketing and auto-play online ads are the most annoying types of advertising.