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Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber—two of the world’s greatest editors—dive into the hugely important world of media. What—and who—drives it? What do they get right... And what do they get wrong?
Lionel, former editor of the Financial Times, and Alan, editor of Prospect and former editor of the Guardian, will bring you revealing, high profile interviews and in-depth discussion.
Media Confidential is produced by Prospect Magazine.
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152 Episodes
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This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by historian Fara Dabhoiwala to discuss his new book What is Free Speech?They discuss how the concept of “free speech” came about—and how the notion has always been weaponised. They also analyse the role of media and social media companies and answer: are broadcasters responsible for everything shared on their platforms?And after being called out in a speech, Alan responds to right-wing media baron Paul Marshall, who recently lamented the problems with today’s media landscape. Plus, the hosts reflect on the passing of presenter Alan Yentob.Fara’s book ‘What is Free Speech? The history of a dangerous idea’ is out now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Do you always have to offer the people you’re reporting on a chance to give their side of the story? In this episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel share when giving the right of reply has backfired on them.They also discuss Fox News, after one listener asks a tongue-in-cheek question. And the hosts talk about whether media reports about Donald Trump’s mental state are responsible, as well as the sale of the conservative digital media outlet The Free Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s special episode of Media Confidential coincides with ITV’s new drama The Hack, about the phone-hacking scandal which led to the closure of the News of the World, the Leveson Inquiry, and a national reckoning on press ethics.This week, Prospect’s Alan Rusbridger is joined by actor Toby Jones—who plays him in the series—along with Emmy award-winning writer Jack Thorne, executive producer Patrick Spence, and journalist and academic Jane Martinson.The panel discuss bringing the story to the small screen, how the government can help support the arts, and the power of drama. They explore journalism at its worst, but also how reporting can make a difference. Is a second Leveson inquiry needed?To read Nick Davies’s series on the phone-hacking scandal for Prospect, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Alan and Lionel are joined by special guest Lisa Nandy, secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport.Lisa responds to Elon Musk’s allegations that free speech is being muzzled in Britain. The editors also challenge her on the government refusing to sanction GB News, despite its political motivations.They also discuss the future of the BBC, trust in the media, and the UK’s decision to regulate US big tech, in the face of tariff threats from Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How have Trump’s defamation lawsuits affected press freedom? Alan and Lionel discuss Donald Trump’s $15bn lawsuit against the New York Times with NPR’s media correspondent, David Folkenflik.David shares an insight into NPR’s future amid funding cuts, and talks about the importance of local journalism and publicly-owned media. Plus, the trio discuss the shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by journalist and researcher Ayala Panievsky to talk about her most recent book The New Censorship: How the War on Media is Taking Us Down.Ayala, whose research focuses on populism and democratic backsliding, explains the biggest threats to journalism today—and how reporters are fighting censorship all across the world. She explores media censorship in Israel, social media, and how politicians influence news coverage. Plus, how can journalists maintain independence and credibility in fraught times? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After a gruelling few years and a bitter legal battle, Rupert Murdoch’s heir has been chosen.This week, Alan and Lionel discuss the conclusion to the real-life Succession, as Lachlan Murdoch looks set to take control of his father’s media empire. What will it mean for the political direction of the business?The hosts also discuss AI company Anthropic’s $1.5bn payout to authors and publishers, after being sued for using copyrighted materials to train large language models.Plus, in light of Angela Rayner’s resignation, they wonder whether all politicians’ financial affairs should be made public.To hear more on the Murdoch empire from Media Confidential, listen to our episode with Jim Rutenberg here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Does the First Amendment have a future? This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel talk to Greg Lukianoff, the lawyer, best-selling author and president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).They discuss the Trump administration’s effect on free speech in the United States, and how censorship on university campuses has come from both sides of the political spectrum. Greg also discusses the question of social media moderation, and his view on Lucy Connolly’s arrest for inciting racial hatred. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Media Confidential is back for Season 3!Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber take a dive into the world of media. What—and who—drives it? What do they get right... And what do they get wrong?This week, as right-wing protests continue outside hotels housing asylum seekers, the hosts discuss the media’s role in pushing the “Broken Britain” narrative. Has the British press has been caught up in the whirlwind of Nigel Farage?Plus, Alan and Lionel discuss the plight of journalists in Gaza, trust levels in local news and—in light of the upcoming ITV show The Hack—investigative journalist Nick Davies’s surprising updates to his book Hack Attack.To read more on the phone hacking scandal from Prospect, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Donald Trump visits the UK, Alan and Lionel consider: if you were given one question to ask at Thursday’s press conference, what would it be?The editors are asked about the media coverage of Saturday’s far right march, led by Tommy Robinson. And following new revelations of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein—and his subsequent removal as US ambassador—what part did the media play in taking him down?They also discuss the challenges faced by traditional newspapers in the digital age, and what the potential sale of a 20 per cent stake could mean for the Economist.Plus, Lionel reveals one of the most humiliating moments in his journalistic career... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To subscribe to the Prospect Podcast on Spotify, click HERE. For Apple podcasts, click HERE. Will AI achieve superintelligence—and, if so, when? While Media Confidential is on a short break, we’re bringing you the best of our sister podcast, the Prospect Podcast. In June, Prospect’s tech columnist Ethan Zuckerman joined Ellen and Alona to talk about billionaire tech bros, social media, and how to resist the ‘enshittification’ of the internet. He answers: is AI transforming our world for the worse? But he also explains how to seek out better, more wholesome corners of the internet, and why his students give him hope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You’ve been listening to the Prospect Podcast, Media Confidential’s sister podcast. To subscribe on Spotify, click HERE. For Apple podcasts, click HERE. Has mainstream media failed? While Media Confidential is on a short break, we’re bringing you the best of the Prospect Podcast. Back in February, broadcaster and author Mehdi Hasan visited Prospect HQ. After MSNBC cancelled the Mehdi Hasan Show in November 2023, Mehdi founded the independent media company Zeteo. He joined Prospect’s Ben Clark to talk about his departure from mainstream media, Gaza, cancel culture, and the press in an age of Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You’ve been listening to the Prospect Podcast, Media Confidential’s sister podcast. To subscribe on Spotify, click HERE. For Apple podcasts, click HERE. Does the Left need its own Trump? While Media Confidential takes a short break, we’re bringing you the best of our sister podcast, the Prospect Podcast. In April, Prospect’s Ellen Halliday and Alona Ferber were joined by Slavoj Zizek, the philosopher and public intellectual, who spoke to them about fatherhood, the “obscenity” of Donald Trump, and whether he’s hopeful about the future of the left. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Has the media contributed to “tinderbox Britain”? Alan and Lionel discuss in this week’s Q&A episode, in light of protests outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping, as authorities anticipate a summer of unrest.The hosts also explore whether journalistic freedoms are under threat, and the responsibility of the press when reporting—or speculating on—medical diagnoses. Do we need a UK equivalent of the “Goldwater rule”?Plus, Media Confidential sets the record straight, having accidentally broadcasted fake news... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What turns a loyal devotee into a whistleblower seeking revenge? And what would you do if an anonymous source handed over reams of sensitive information on one of the biggest companies in the world?This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by the co-author of The Tesla Files, Sönke Iwersen, an investigative journalist at Germany’s top business newspaper Handelsblatt.Sönke reveals exactly what happens at the heart of Elon Musk’s empire: when serious safety concerns were exposed, how did the richest man in the world react?Plus, the hosts discuss Keir Starmer giving former Sun editor David Dinsmore a senior role overseeing government communications. Lionel shares a “scoop-ette” about why the Washington Post had to publish their Trump-Epstein story, and the hosts examine a Times article and ask “is it really news?” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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