Share
Media Confidential
It’s the media’s fault! Nigel Farage plays the victim card
Season 3, Ep. 83
•
In today’s Media Confidential, Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber discuss Nigel Farage’s resignation in Clacton, triggering a by-election in which he will stand. They discuss Farage’s attacks on the press, including on a Sky News reporter. Did reporting around undeclared donations really cross the line?
They also analyse the judgment in Prince Harry’s case against the Daily Mail, which alleged unlawful information gathering by Associated Newspapers. As the Mail wins a massive legal victory, they discuss the role of editors in these kinds of court cases and disagree over the role of tabloid newspapers.
Alan and Lionel also talk about Comcast and Sky’s $1.6bn takeover of ITV: what does the merger mean for staff, and for the network’s stories? Will it be a good thing for public broadcasting—or not?
And they answer a listener’s question on climate coverage, in the midst of another heatwave.
To read more on the Prince Harry case, click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/74059/daily-mail-victory-prince-harry-hacked-off
More episodes
View all episodes
90. Mehdi Hasan: Why US media shies away from talking about genocide
44:41||Season 3, Ep. 90In 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?89. So you didn’t get a Burnham interview? Break out the tiny violins
25:58||Season 3, Ep. 89In 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?88. Corruption, convictions and vengeance: Maggie Haberman on the inside story of the second Trump presidency
38:38||Season 3, Ep. 88Alan and Lionel are joined by journalist Maggie Haberman to discuss her and Jonathan Swan’s explosive new book covering the first year of Trump’s second presidency.Having conducted hundreds of interviews, Maggie shares the astonishing amount of access that the two journalists had in the inner circles of the Trump administration.The three unpick Trump’s close relationships with Rupert Murdoch and Fox News, and how the White House press pool has been reshaped. They also discuss the intimidation tactics creating a chilling effect on journalists and subpoenas against New York Times staff reporting on the president.Plus, Maggie shares observations from her strange Oval Office meeting with Trump and discusses the president’s unpleasant nickname for her. Will they burn any bridges by publishing the book?‘Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump’ is published by Simon & Schuster87. Burnham’s new cabinet: What did the media miss?
22:45||Season 3, Ep. 87As Andy Burnham becomes prime minister, Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber discuss the new cabinet on Media Confidential. When it comes to new appointments, how did the media get it so wrong?As Lisa Nandy keeps her role as culture secretary, the pair discuss the BBC charter renewal and the broadcaster’s advert during the football World Cup which asked “what has the BBC ever done for me?”They also reflect on the death of BBC stalwart Edward Stourton and consider the Telegraph as it takes small steps towards change under new ownership.Plus, they discuss the influence of former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre and his proteges, after a longform Guardian article explored his influence on Britain’s rightwing press and the advent of culture war journalism.86. Political censorship: How governments are using national security laws to silence journalists
40:41||Season 3, Ep. 86In this episode of Media Confidential, Clothilde Redfern and Martin Bright join Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber to discuss how national security laws are increasingly being used to restrict journalism around the world.Clothilde is the director of the UK branch of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Martin Bright is a journalist and contributing editor of a new report by the charity which shows a growing pattern of governments expanding the meaning of “national security” to justify secrecy, surveillance, and sustained pressure on reporters. The four discuss cases like that of Julian Assange and how legal action can have worrying impacts on journalists. They also talk about the line between legitimate security concerns and unnecessary suppression of reporting.To read the RSF report ‘National security as a weapon against journalism’, click here: https://rsf.org/en/new-rsf-report-national-security-weapon-against-journalism85. Ann Widdecombe’s murder: Have the police said too much?
31:32||Season 3, Ep. 85Alan and Lionel discuss the suspected murder of MP Ann Widdecombe. They discuss contempt of court laws and how they differ from those in the United States, as well as the impact of public scrutiny on police communication. Is it wise to have a running commentary on all investigations?They also unpick the Trump administration’s latest attack on the journalism, as the Department of Justice serves subpoenas to New York Times journalists in order to find out who in the administration leaked a story about Donald Trump’s acceptance of a Qatari plane.In other news, the editors also talk about devastating cuts at GB News and what they mean for the broadcaster. And they examine the big bucks in the world of broadcasting, as the BBC reveals its highest earners.Plus, they analyse former Today programme presenter John Humphrys’s critical comments about his successors in the role.84. Iain Dale: I'm a Conservative but I don't do propaganda (unlike GB News)
36:07||Season 3, Ep. 84In this week’s episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by presenter and commentator Iain Dale.As he releases a new memoir, the three discuss his life in broadcasting and a brief stint of political ambition, as well as his ideological leanings. Iain discusses how he tries to keep his LBC show unbiased and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating lively debate with a broad spectrum of views.He also reflects on Brexit, GB News and the BBC and his thoughts on the future of political broadcasting.82. Lachlan Cartwright: ‘American media became a propaganda arm to get Trump elected’
30:53||Season 3, Ep. 82In today’s episode Lachlan Cartwright, the founder of Breaker Media, joins Alan and Lionel to discuss why he went solo and launched the outlet after two decades in journalism.They ask how he treads the line between privacy and public interest when searching for scoops. The Breaker founder also discusses his tumultuous time at the National Enquirer, the US tabloid’s backing of Trump, and his role as a whistleblower in the "catch and kill” scandal which made the front page of the New York Times.He shares that good lawyers and keeping just on the right side of the law are key when you’re in the business of muckraking. Plus, he discusses his experience with legal letters, non-disclosure agreements and how to avoid bowing to pressure from powerful figures.