Shock jock Michael Laws was back on air this morning after almost two months off - and he wasted no time getting stuck into the media, although he stopped short of suggesting they should be taken out with a shotgun.
On his show today, Laws criticised media coverage of the Carterton hot-air ballooning tragedy in which 11 people died.
The RadioLive talkback broadcaster and former Wanganui mayor had been off-air since November 21 after suggesting to his listeners that Herald on Sunday journalists should be shot.
He was unhappy the paper had obtained the recording of an over-the-teacups conversation between Prime Minister John Key and Act candidate John Banks.
He said he didn't know why somebody hadn't taken a shotgun into the newspaper and "cleaned out the entire newsroom".
Laws said his "shotgun" comment was a joke but he was subsequently off the airwaves.
On December 22, he posted on Twitter: "LAWS RETURNS TO RADIO LIVE IN JANUARY 2012 - my Xmas present to journalists everywhere :)"
The following day he added: "Christmas shopping complete ... and I've got the shotgun of my dreams as an early gift."
MediaWorks, which owns RadioLive, would not comment but referred to a statement it put out in December which said matters relating to his radio show had been resolved.