Media Confidential

In Prospect’s last episode of Media Confidential, Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber look back on three years of the podcast.They discuss revelations throughout the show about power, press freedom, and the changing media landscape: from powerful interviews on Trump’s attacks on press freedoms and the Murdoch empire, to the journalists killed in Gaza and future of the BBC.From veteran journalists to war photographers, they talk about some of their favourite—and most controversial—guests, including Michael Wolff, Kara Swisher, Patrick Radden Keefe, Mehdi Hasan and Don McCullin.Plus, Alan and Lionel answer your questions. And, in a restaurant in London, they finally settle a long-standing bet...Stay tuned for a special announcement from Media Confidential’s sister podcast, the Prospect Podcast.

Billionaires, millionaires and biohackers are plying themselves with supplements and consulting AI to extend their lives indefinitely. But would you want to live forever? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by journalist and author Katherine Stewart, who investigates the politics of the longevity movement.Katherine shares her experiences undercover at exclusive longevity conferences, trying supplements and testing her hormone levels. She discusses key figures like Bryan Johnson, the “most measured person in history”, famous for trying to inject himself with his young son’s blood, and Palantir’s Peter Thiel.She also explains the appeal of “transhumanism”, and argues that the original meaning of “self-care” has been usurped. As the movement marshals deep science and high anxiety, with potions and powders promising detoxes, how much can be trusted?To read Katherine’s piece ‘The time I tried to live forever’, click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/policy/health/74081/the-time-i-tried-to-live-forever

In today’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss the death of Professor Jason Arday, the Cambridge academic who took his own life last week after weeks of media scrutiny.The former editors analyse how a story about plagiarism turned into a Fleet Street crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion. They also discuss the ethics involved when a vulnerable person is at the centre of public scrutiny, where the commentary went wrong, and what it tells us about British and American journalism.Plus, how you decide what is a legitimate story? And how much should reporters consider the consequences of the story they’re pursuing?To read Alan’s column on Jason Arday, click here

In this week’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by Jonathan Shainin, founding editor of Equator, a new longform publication with ambitions to challenge inherited assumptions about journalism—and the world it describes.The three discuss Jonathan’s journey through more “mainstream” media and why, after years in the industry, he feels independent media is the future. They look at the very different traditions of American and British longform journalism, and what each might learn from the other.They talk about Equator’s unusual approach to how a publication can be organised, bringing together some of the most interesting writers and editors working today, from Pankaj Mishra to Mohsin Hamid and Nesrine Malik. Is this the beginning of a different kind of media institution?Plus, Jonathan explains where the name Equator came from, Alan and Lionel delve into some of the ideas behind the latest issue, and ask what it might mean to look at familiar stories from somewhere else entirely. In a publication so concerned with making sense of the world, is there still room for a little lightness?

As Andy Burnham marks his first two weeks in Downing Street, the polls are registering a bump in support for Labour. This week, Ellen Halliday and Imaan Irfan are joined by Prospect’s contributing editor Tom Clark to assess the prime minister’s first steps in office.Tom discusses surprising policy pledges, “sugar-rush politics” and how Burnham’s thinking has changed, from devolution to drastic social care reforms. What challenges will he face in making his promises a reality?After the Ceuta border crossing, does political rhetoric around immigration signal change or continuity? Is Burnham willing to make enemies over the drilling of oil and gas in the North Sea? And what are the chances of an early election?Plus, Tom compares Burnham with Keir Starmer and reflects on whether his leadership signals a departure from factionalism. Has Burnham finally unified the Labour party—and, if so, can it last?To read more of Tom’s analysis, click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/2823/tom-clark

This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by Patrick Radden Keefe, journalist and bestselling author.Patrick discusses the real-life story behind his book London Falling, which explored the mysterious death of a teenage boy in London. He explains the process behind investigative non-fiction, navigating ethical and legal obstacles, and how he gained the trust of his sources—including two grieving parents. Plus, is reporting in Britain is harder than in the United States? And how young journalists can take on tough stories without the backing of big institutions?To read a profile of Patrick Radden Keefe, click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/views/people/73417/patrick-radden-keefe-interview

In this week’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss the contentious legacy of Rod Liddle, Spectator columnist and Times radio presenter, who died earlier this week. A divisive figure in British journalism, the hosts examine his style and career as a writer and provocateur.They also delve into reporting around climate change, as ideological fractures emerge in the Daily Telegraph. Should Tories see the preservation of the climate as a conservative responsibility? Or should we give up on climate action and embrace a Mediterranean summer?Plus, Alan and Lionel discuss about a big Ebay settlement with two citizen journalists, following a lawsuit around the 2019 corporate stalking scandal. And, in his own case against the BBC, has Donald Trump bitten off more than he can chew?

In this week's Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by Mehdi Hasan, founder and CEO of Zeteo.The three discuss Mehdi’s trajectory from political editor in the UK to hosting a show across the pond—to launching his own independent media organisation in Zeteo. Mehdi opens up about why his MSNBC show was cancelled and how he felt compelled to leave the news channel.They also discuss the rise of Zeteo and its recent UK launch. With many frustrated with mainstream political and cultural coverage, what is missing from the British media landscape?Plus, Mehdi argues that, when faced with accusations of biased coverage, the BBC tends to overcorrect.  If he were the corporation's director-general, what would he do differently?

In this week’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel talk about media publisher Reach’s change in direction. After years of striving for…well…reach, the publisher now says they’ll focus on long form reported stories.After a federal judge savaged the US Department of Justice for issuing subpoenas against New York Times journalists, Alan and Lionel also discuss what they call a “fantastically stupid move by Trump”. They’ll also talk about the president’s swipes at the media at during White House Correspondent’s dinner. Does the iconic event have a future?As Andy Burnham and John Healey were asked in a TikTok video: crisps, pork scratchings or scampi fries? The hosts discuss whether the government’s shrewd new media strategy is working.Plus, they ask why Whitehall correspondents are complaining they haven’t had the chance to interview the new prime minister—is it clever strategy from Burnham, or a deliberate cutting off of press access?