UnHerd with Freddie Sayers Stephen Sackur: How the BBC killed HARDtalk
Mar 26, 2025
Stephen Sackur, the iconic host of BBC’s HARDtalk, shares his journey through nearly three decades of rigorous journalism. He reveals the shocking closure of the show and the troubling decision-making process behind it. Sackur reflects on unforgettable interviews, especially with world leaders, and discusses the future of journalism in a rapidly changing media landscape. He critiques media bias, explores the essence of truth in podcasting, and examines the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity while highlighting the evolving role of platforms like the BBC.
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Unfamiliar Boss
- Stephen Sackur had never met Deborah Turness before Hard Talk's cancellation, despite her being BBC News's chief.
- Turness hadn't contacted Sackur, watched the show, or met the team, raising questions about her awareness of its value.
Disingenuous Justification
- The BBC's public reason for cancelling Hard Talk was financial constraints, citing a need to save £24 million.
- Sackur argues this is disingenuous, as Hard Talk's budget was a small fraction of that amount, easily savable elsewhere.
Global Reach
- Hard Talk's primary audience was international, potentially reaching tens of millions weekly.
- Sackur questions if BBC management, focused on UK metrics, truly grasped the show's global reach and reputation.