Questions have been raised over the media's handling of an incident concerning TVNZ's political editor, Maiki Sherman.

Reports have emerged that TVNZ threatened to sue Newstalk ZB after a producer raised questions with the state broadcaster about Sherman's alleged use of a homophobic slur.

Massey University Journalism Programme Leader James Hollings says TVNZ has handled this situation poorly.

"It's not a good look, really, when you're a public broadcaster, to be telling another news outlet not to run a story about something." 

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