Media Confidential

In this week’s Q&A episode, Alan and Lionel are asked how much an editor’s personal opinions and politics affect their judgements.They also discuss Mehdi Hasan’s viral debate against far right Republicans on the latest edition of Jubilee’s ‘Surrounded’.Plus, which place captures the national mood of the UK? And which publications are doing the most exciting work at the moment?

This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by Stewart Purvis, formerly editor-in-chief of ITN and content regulator for Ofcom. Stewart talks about confronting Ofcom about their judgement on GB News. Are current impartiality rules fit for purpose?Amid mounting pressure over Tim Davie’s leadership, they also discuss the crisis at the top of the BBC—and which candidates might be next in line for the biggest job in broadcasting. Plus, Alan reveals a telling text he received from a top BBC journalist.

In this week's Q&A episode, Alan and Lionel are asked about Zohran Mamdani, Democratic candidate for New York mayor, and whether big newspapers have made any impact on his campaign.The hosts also discuss how to capture people’s attention while reporting on climate change.Plus, as AI threatens to replace some human jobs, what can journalists do to ensure they’re ahead of the game?

This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by Tom McTague, former Unherd political editor and recently appointed editor-in-chief at the New Statesman.Tom explains his vision, both for the magazine and for the UK. He also spills the beans on his interview with Keir Starmer, and shares what he talked about over a drink with Spectator editor and former Tory cabinet minister Michael Gove.The hosts also discuss the two BBC reports out this week about the corporation’s handling of the documentary Gaza: How to survive in a warzone, as well as an independent review into “inappropriate behaviour” by former MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace.

In this week’s Q&A episode, Alan and Lionel react to a petition signed by hundreds of media industry figures and BBC journalists, which criticises the broadcaster’s coverage of the war in Gaza and calls for the resignation of Robbie Gibb.The editors also discuss non-disclosure agreements—what can you do when a potential whistleblower has signed one?Plus, one listener asks about the relationship between relationship between press lobby journalists and government special advisors or “spads”.Send us your media questions! Mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk

In the age of TikTok, how can newsrooms earn attention?Alan and Lionel are joined by Sophia Smith Galer, digital journalist, author and founder of Viralect. Sophia shares why TikTok shouldn’t be underestimated as a form of journalism, the resistance she’s faced, and why she decided to leave the BBC.She also demonstrates her new AI-powered app ‘Sophiana’ which helps journalists make vertical videos. But why choose to develop it now, when the use of AI in journalism is met with suspicion?Plus, after an Observer exposé about Raynor Winn’s bestselling memoir The Salt Path, Alan and Lionel discuss the role publishers should play in seeking truth. And Alan reveals he asked the BBC for documents related to its reporting on Israel-Gaza, and suggests that they aren’t being as transparent as they claim to be...Send us your questions about the media at mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk

In this week’s Q&A, the hosts weigh in on the BBC bringing in paid services for across the pond.They also discuss Anna Wintour stepping down from Vogue...or is she?Plus, after a court found that the BBC defamed former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, one listener asks Alan and Lionel for their reactions.If you have a question for Alan and Lionel, send it to mediaconfidential@prospectmagazine.co.uk and we’ll answer it on the show.

This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by Line Vaaben, who is ‘existential editor’ at Danish newspaper Politiken.Line and her team write stories that explore the complexities of life, love and death. She discusses her award-winning journalism with Alan and Lionel, which included spending time embedded in a palliative care ward, notepad in hand, as people took their last breaths.Line also talks about how she fiercely debated her editor on whether she could be in the room as a patient took a lethal cocktail of drugs.Plus, the hosts discuss the BBC under fire after Glastonbury—and whether Sir Robbie Gibb had a hand in axing the documentary Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, now picked up by Channel 4. Is there a conflict of interest?To read Alan’s latest column on this topic, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk 

This week, Alan and Lionel discuss every editor’s nightmare: what do you do if news breaks just as the papers have gone to print?They also explain “pyjama injunctions”, and are asked about whether the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, is still safe while reporting from Moscow.Plus, Lionel responds to a listener asking about his Substack.