Media Confidential

This week, Alan and Lionel discuss alarming threats to global press freedom with guests Jodie Ginsberg and former war correspondent Peter Greste.As an award-winning journalist with Al Jazeera, Peter was reporting on the Arab Spring when he was arrested under charges of terrorism. He shares his story of being wrongfully imprisoned in Egypt for 400 days (later dramatised in the film The Correspondent).Jodie, director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, an American nonprofit organisation, also highlights the increasing dangers facing journalists in the US, including attacks on public broadcasting and legal threats.In the face of mounting pressures, how can young reporters find hope?

What would you do if you got added to a messaging group that was discussing top-level classified information? This week, Alan and Lionel are asked about the Atlantic’s stunning report that some of the highest level figures in American defence discussed war plans in a Signal group containing its editor, Jeff Goldberg. How have new communication technologies changed journalism—and the search for a scoop?Alan and Lionel answer more listeners' questions on the smash Netflix series Adolescence, social media and how Michael Gove’s tenure as Spectator editor is progressing.If you have a question for Alan and Lionel send them to mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk

In this episode Alan and Lionel talk to journalist and author Michael Wolff, who has chronicled the rise and fall and rise again of Donald Trump across his “Fire and Fury” book series. The latest instalment, “All or Nothing” was published just after Trump re-entered the White House in January.The trio discuss the future of media under Donald Trump, how he has taken control of news cycles and what happens when corporate interests infringe on the business of journalism. Wolff suggests that the media caved in to government pressure about his book. “A lot of television was set up, as happens in the pre-publication of a book, [and] as soon as the White House started to attack me all of my appearances were canceled”. “The executives who we confronted on this were pretty straightforward, they said, ‘look we are in a new climate’ and then they would blame the higher ups, the corporate overlords and super structure who has weighed in on this.”

How will artificial intelligence change how people consume media? Alan and Lionel discuss more listeners' questions on this week's Q&A.The editors also chew over how best to tackle conspiracy theories, and how media outlets can avoid being part of the problem.If you have a question for Alan and Lionel send them to mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk

This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers to discuss the new world order...or should that be disorder?They share their views on the threat posed by the second Trump presidency and whether the world has reverted to “might is right”. John raises concerns over the future of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance—which consists of the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US. Could this mean the end of intelligence sharing with America?Plus, Alan and Lionel discuss the unexpected outcome of Ofcom’s cases against GB News.

Alan and Lionel respond to more listeners’ questions on this week’s Q&A.In this episode they are asked if the amount of low quality journalism available has an impact on public trust in journalism and they discuss the concept of 'flooding the zone' and what can be done by newsrooms to reclaim the narrative.Plus whether or not journalists play a role in promoting and investigating fraudulent influencers.If you have a question for Alan and Lionel send them to mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk