Afleveringen
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In this week’s Q&A, Alan and Lionel are asked where they go for analysis of the situation in the Middle East, including the Israel-Iran war.
They also discuss diversity in journalism and how cuts have made it a harder industry to break into.
The hosts also are asked about a foreign scheme where young people can access a two year free subscription to news sites…could it work here?
If you have a question for Alan and Lionel, send it to [email protected].uk and we’ll answer it on the show.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by Hamish McKenzie, co-founder of Substack.
The platform, which now has over five million paid subscriptions, allows writers to self-publish their newsletters and make money directly from readers.
Since launching in 2017, it has gained huge popularity with journalists and the public.
Alan, Lionel and Hamish discuss what makes it fundamentally different to other social media sites, including the platform's surprising approach to content moderation. Hamish also shares how Elon Musk offered to buy Substack, and why he was turned down.
Plus, Lionel makes a faux pas...
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this week’s Q&A, Alan and Lionel discuss a media screw up: who’s to blame for the Telegraph publishing a fake story about the fictional “Al Moy” and his family?
They break down how editors should deal with stories that seem too good to be true.
The hosts also discuss award ceremonies for journalists...do they matter? Plus, Alan and Lionel answer a question sent in by listener Tony which asks “How can you help the BBC?”
If you have a question for Alan and Lionel, send it to [email protected].uk and we’ll answer it on the show.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this week's episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by Karen Hao, journalist and author of Empire of AI.
Karen talks about being banned from returning to OpenAI, after being embedded there to write a profile of the company in its early days.
She charts the rise of AI companies and the three discuss why journalists and newsrooms should be wary of making deals with “a company or industry that fundamentally doesn't want you to exist”.
Karen’s book ‘Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI’ is available now
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In this week’s Q&A, Alan and Lionel look back over their journalistic careers and recall their toughest decisions.
The former editors also discuss why they left the Guardian and the FT when they did, and what they read in their free time.
Plus, as the New York Times signs an AI deal with Amazon, what will it mean for readers?
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In this week’s episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel talk to Vox editor-in-chief Swati Sharma.
They discuss why Vox’s change in style is working for a younger audience, the ways in which the company is responding to new digital challenges—and how AI is pushing them towards more innovative journalism.
The hosts also discuss Business Insider axing a fifth of its staff. And after chairing the European Press Prize judging panel for the last time, Alan reflects on his trip to Bari, Italy, and how he’s feeling about the future of journalism.
Plus, Alan shares his concerns about why he could be banned from the US.
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In this week’s Q&A episode, Alan and Lionel are asked if they would ever pay for an interview—and if there are any interviewees who would be off limits.
They discuss whether media studies should be added to the UK curriculum for 11-16 year olds to combat misinformation.
Plus, will news organisations suffer financially when Donald Trump is no longer president?
Send your questions in to us [email protected].uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by historian Fara Dabhoiwala to discuss his new book What is Free Speech?They discuss how the concept of “free speech” came about—and how the notion has always been weaponised.
They also analyse the role of media and social media companies and answer: are broadcasters responsible for everything shared on their platforms?
And after being called out in a speech, Alan responds to right-wing media baron Paul Marshall, who recently lamented the problems with today’s media landscape.
Plus, the hosts reflect on the passing of presenter Alan Yentob.
Fara’s book ‘What is Free Speech? The history of a dangerous idea’ is out now
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In this week’s Q&A, Alan and Lionel discuss the sale of the Telegraph and what comes next for the newspaper.
They also talk about whether anything can be done to revive the print newspaper and are asked about what's happening with the sale of Paramount in the US.
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This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by Joseph Kahn, executive editor of the New York Times. Alan, Lionel and Joe discuss editing in the time of Trump, why US media organisations are bending to the president, and whether publications owned by corporations are really equipped to resist the government.
Plus, the hosts talk about Gary Lineker’s departure from the BBC—and a new book which explores what journalists knew about former president Joe Biden’s deteriorating health but withheld from the public, for fear of losing access to the White House.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this week’s Q&A episode, Alan and Lionel discuss their most difficult interviews.
They also discuss why journalists are no longer sent out to cover council meetings and whether that has an impact on democracy.
Plus, the hosts answer an email about the BBC’s dominance over online news in the UK.
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At the Truth Tellers summit in London, Alan and Lionel sit down with Mark Thompson, the CEO of American media giant CNN.Mark is asked if he has sat down with Trump since he started in office.
Does he feel a slide towards state-owned media, monitored by the White House? And why does CNN continue to give the president airtime?
“If the rule was [that] we didn't have politicians on the air who might lie", he says, "we'd be struggling possibly to fill the airwaves.”
Plus, after listening to the ‘Rest is Classified’ podcast series on whistleblower Edward Snowden, Alan discusses his role in publishing the Snowden documents, and how he believes the BBC was too timid to cover the story.
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In this week’s Q&A session, Alan and Lionel are asked whether there’s still a market for the London Standard and what they would do if its owner Evgeny Lebedev came asking for advice.
They also discuss undercover reporting: after interviewing Harry Shukman who spent a year infiltrating far right groups in the UK, the editors discuss how to prepare a reporter for covert investigations.
Plus, as press freedom hits an all-time low, how can we make the world safer for journalists?
To submit your questions to Alan and Lionel, email [email protected].uk
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This week on Media Confidential, journalist Harry Shukman joins Alan and Lionel to discuss his year spent infiltrating the far right.
Harry’s new book Year of the Rat explores this journey. He shares why he went undercover to report on the story, why he thinks the threat from the British far right has been underestimated, and moments when he risked discovery.
Plus, the editors mull over Jon Voight’s plan to “make Hollywood great again”, and discuss the BBC choosing to shelve a new film about the destruction of Gaza’s health service.
Harry’s book ‘Year of the Rat: Undercover in the British Far Right’ is out today (May 8th)
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In this week’s Q&A, Alan and Lionel are presented with a thought experiment: if they had to join forces, how would they run a brand new media venture?
What’s it all about? Where is the money coming from? And, contentiously…who would be the editor?
With half a million households cancelling their licence fee in 2023 alone, the hosts are also asked about alternatives to a TV license fee, as the BBC struggles to connect with younger audiences.
They also speculate on who might step into the shoes of Alex Mahon, Channel 4’s outgoing CEO, who joined Media Confidential to talk about gen Z’s media habits back in March.
Keep your questions coming via [email protected].uk
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Alan and Lionel are joined by Lea Korsgaard, co-founder and editor-in-chief at Zetland, the Danish media organisation revolutionising the way people engage with the news.
She discusses what makes the media platform, which Alan describes as “a beacon of optimism”, so unique—and shares the secret to its success.
Plus, Alan and Lionel cast their editorial eyes over the first edition of the Observer, now under new ownership, and give their professional opinions.
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Following the death of Pope Francis last week, Alan and Lionel answer how a reporter should prepare for the expected—and the unexpected.
They discuss the perks of having a network of correspondents and give their opinions on freelance journalists: is it better to be a lone operator or under the wing of a big publication?
To ask Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber your questions, email [email protected].uk
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What is allowed to be a joking matter? And where does one draw the line?
This week, Alan and Lionel discuss the pitfalls of being a satirist in 2025. They talk to political cartoonist Steve Bell, who worked for the Guardian for over 40 years before being unceremoniously dismissed after an image of Benjamin Netanyahu drew ire.
They’re also joined by former Spectator editor Fraser Nelson, who leapt to Steve’s defence, despite being on opposite ends of the political aisle. Fraser also shares how he put his job on the line whilst at the helm of the magazine.
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Alan and Lionel are asked about Tortoise's imminent takeover of the Observer. The hosts discuss a surprisingly timely encounter, and share some breaking news about Prospect.
They also discuss blasting off into space and whether they’d rather put their lives in the hands of Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk.
Plus, has the press regulator IPSO lost its teeth? Has it ever had any?
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Does it matter who funds and owns the media?
This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by Rodney Benson, professor and author of How Media Ownership Matters, who compares the ways in which newspapers are funded around the world—and how this fundamentally shapes democracy.
Plus, Alan shares stories from his recent trip to Perugia, which holds the annual International Journalism festival. He discusses his mood after the festival, and what columnists are debating (is Donald Trump bonkers? We’ll never know!)
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