Media Confidential

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 mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk

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)

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.