Media Confidential

In today’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss Donald Trump’s court case against the BBC. As the broadcaster requests the president’s phone records from January 6th, some commentators think it should settle with the president. Do our hosts agree?

The Telegraph’s takeover by major media company Axel Springer is finally complete, and the paper’s new owner Matthias Döpfner has appointed a German CEO and CFO. Alan and Lionel discuss whether Döpfner’s strong views will make it into print—and ask if he, as a keen musician, might join Alan on the piano.

Plus, the Guardian announces new jobs on the horizon and Lionel shows off a recently acquired medal...
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In this week’s Media Confidential, Alan Rusbridger talks to Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson, authors of Getting Murdoched: How Murdoch’s Media Wields Power and Punishment.

The three discuss the structure of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, as well as infamous cases of “Murdoching”—described by the authors as “using media power to bully, manipulate and spread false narratives”.

They also talk about the use of the free speech defence to justify harmful practices, the prioritising of entertainment and impact over truth, and the need for press regulation.

Plus, Andrew and Matthew discuss Rupert Murdoch’s life, the impact of his father and the passing of the mantle to his son Lachlan. What does it mean for the company?
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In this week’s episode, Alan and Lionel chew over Keir Starmer's resignation. How does a modern politician feed the media—and avoid being eaten? If Andy Burnham becomes prime minister, will he be better at communicating with the media?

They also discuss the government’s green paper on public service media and the role of BBC, ITV, YouTube, and Facebook.

As presenters Jon Snow and Jeremy Clarkson reveal serious medical diagnoses and raise awareness for their causes, the hosts talk about illness in the public eye.

And as Lionel receives an award in Luxembourg this week, they ask if fame and honours will change him...
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This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel speak to crossbench peer and activist Beeban Kidron about the Online Safety Act.

Beeban has spent years advocating for children's rights in the digital world and has played a role in establishing standards for online safety and privacy across the world. She debunks the misconceptions around the issue—and explains why a social media ban won’t work on its own.

She weighs in on the BBC’s role, as well as the controversial policy-shaping contributions of thinktanks such as the Tony Blair institute and the chilling impact of tech billionaires. If she were prime minister for a day, how would she deal with Elon Musk?

Plus, what is digital sovereignty? And, as a filmmaker, how does she think AI will affect the film industry?
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This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss the Murdoch family’s biggest ever deal, as Lachlan Murdoch’s Fox TV buys streaming service Roku. What does it suggest about the company’s direction under its new CEO? And why isn’t Alan a fan of Roku?

They discuss an AI-generated video of Nigel Farage fist-fighting Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey in a Question Time Studio—and how the deepfake video has some people fooled.
After GB News’s Bev Turner denied that widespread racist violence in Belfast was a riot, the editors also analyse a clash between Turner and political commentator Matthew Stadlen, while Alan shares the tweet that made him “shudder”.

It’s not all bad news, though, as Mehdi Hasan launches Zeteo UK, the British equivalent of his popular independent media platform—and Dan Neidle wins a resounding victory in libel courts over an obvious SLAPP. Could it set a hopeful precedent?

Plus, Alan and Lionel respond to an email from the editor of the Manchester Evening News and issue an invitation.
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