Media Confidential

Back in July, Alan and Lionel were 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 discussed 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.To listen to all past episodes of Media Confidential, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does “no-platforming” have a place in journalism? Alan and Lionel are joined by Zanny Minton Beddoes, the editor-in-chief of the Economist.They discuss how to cover far-right politics and whether a reporter should ever avoid interviewing divisive figures. Zanny and Lionel talk about the backlash they each received after interviewing Steve Bannon.The three also reflect on biggest news stories of the year, the “extraordinary” state of politics in the USA and the challenges of mainstream media in covering the Trump administration.Plus, Zanny explains how the Economist created a new AI lab and changed its strategy to adapt to how readers consume journalism now. And, with the biggest UK media job of still up for grabs, could she be in the running for director general of the BBC? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As his time as editor comes to an end, Alan talks to Lionel about his final edition of Prospect—and what he plans to do next. He reflects on his time at the magazine and how it compares to his old haunt at the Guardian.The pair also discuss Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros, the hunt for Channel 4’s new CEO and the murky world of content moderation.‘Media Confidential’ with Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber will continue on Monday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Franz Wild is our guest on this week’s Media Confidential. He’s the editor-in-chief and CEO of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism—also known as “The Bureau”.Alan, Lionel and Franz discuss society’s dire need for investigative journalism and why the job of being an investigative journalist attracts a certain type of character: someone who is willing to keep their eye on a story that might take years to come to light.They also talk about funding models, the menacing letters Bureau editors receive, and why they won’t be intimidated by threats of legal action against their journalists.Franz also talks about the importance of editorial independence and why the public discourse needs investigative journalists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Alan and Lionel discuss editorial independence, the BBC’s search for a new director general and ask if the current structure is even working.Is the role too much for one person? As the post-budget scrutiny rumbles on, they also talk about which publications are producing the best analysis—and whose is best avoided...Plus, the hosts discuss 40 years of the Independent after learning of the death of one of its founders, Andreas Whittam Smith, and reminisce about the life and legacy of the late Tom Stoppard.Today’s episode is brought to you by ENERGISE AFRICA – the innovative UK-based investment site that helps bring vital solar energy access to people across sub-Saharan Africa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.