Media Confidential

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 mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk 

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.

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 mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk

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.

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?

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!)

In this week’s Q&A, Alan and Lionel are asked what makes a good story—and which big ones they’ve missed.They reminisce over the hedonistic days of Vanity Fair magazine, following the release of former editor Graydon Carter’s swashbuckling new memoir. And they remember the legacies, lives and careers of two former colleagues: Gwen Robinson, former foreign correspondent for the Financial Times and Tim Radford, the Guardian science editor known for penning the 25 commandments for journalists.

On Media Confidential this week, Alan and Lionel discuss the world being turned upside down by Donald Trump’s tariffs.As former editor of the Financial Times, Lionel weighs in on how the press are handling the situation: what are they getting right…and what are they missing? Have financial journalists failed to spot the biggest story yet?And amid a slew of suspensions and politically-motivated arrests at Columbia University, the hosts also talk to Anya Schiffrin, director of the university’s Technology, Media and Communications programme. As the university yields to the Trump administration’s demands, they discuss the pressures colleges are facing, the role of the media, and the importance of resistance to authoritarianism.

What would you do if you realised your work was putting you in danger?This week, Alan and Lionel are asked if they’ve ever been unsafe because of their journalism.They talk about Tom McTague moving jobs across the political spectrum, from UnHerd's political editor, to editor at the New Statesman.And as Jim Mullen announces his departure from the media company Reach, the hosts discuss his tenure.If you have a question for Alan and Lionel, send them to mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk