Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

David Lloyd, broadcasting consultant, former regulator and co-founder of Boom Radio, discusses the government’s £6 million local journalism fund and the difference targeted support can make to small local projects. He also considers why further BBC local radio cuts have reignited questions about local voices and community connection, possible ways to support local audio, and Ofcom’s role in overseeing BBC local radio.To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership @beebwatch.bsky.social@BeebRogerInstagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatchLinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan Rusbridger, former editor-in-chief of The Guardian and former editor of Prospect, discusses the BBC’s funding crisis, the government’s response and why reliable information matters as a public good. We examine BBC governance: who sits on its board and editorial committees, whether journalism is properly represented, and what that means for independence, accountability and the BBC’s response to its critics.Alan also reflects on The Guardian’s digital transformation, the mistakes made along the way, and why bringing staff and audiences with you matters as much as the strategy itself.To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership @beebwatch.bsky.social@BeebRogerInstagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatchLinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Sackur, former presenter of BBC HARDtalk and a BBC journalist for nearly four decades, discusses his book Hard Truth, why he wrote it, and what the careers of ten very different reporters can tell us about journalism today.We explore impartiality across different political systems, and how it relates to the work of reporters like Anna Politkovskaya and Daphne Caruana Galizia. We also discuss how broadcasters are dealing with a hostile Trump White House, the legacy of HARDtalk, and how BBC funding pressures and digital strategy affect analysis and investigative reporting. Stephen also explains where he looks for information himself, and how audiences navigate today’s information landscape.To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership @beebwatch.bsky.social@BeebRogerInstagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatchLinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Kanter, investigations editor at Deadline, discusses the BBC’s appointment of Rachel Jupp as director of news and the challenges facing the broadcaster, from finances and proposed cuts to its shift towards digital. He also examines the pressures facing Channel 4, and reflects on Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's comments on broadcasting as the BBC's Royal Charter renewal approaches.To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership @beebwatch.bsky.social@BeebRogerInstagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatchLinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roger Mosey, former editor of The Today Programme, Head of BBC Television News, Director of BBC Sport and the BBC’s Director for London 2012, discusses Matt Brittin’s interview with Laura Kuenssberg, the widening cuts to BBC news and sport, and what he believes is missing from the Corporation’s case for its own future.We explore whether the BBC has a clear enough vision of what it wants to be; how financial pressures and editorial choices are shaping cuts to programmes such as Today and local news; and what the retreat from live sport says about the BBC’s broader strategy. Roger also sets out what the BBC and government need to do to avoid repeating the problems of past Charter renewals and what kind of funding settlement could put the Corporation on a stronger footing.To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership @beebwatch.bsky.social@BeebRogerInstagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatchLinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.