Media Confidential Zanny Minton Beddoes on Steve Bannon: ‘Comparing Trump to Moses was quite something’
Dec 15, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-chief of The Economist, dives into the complexities of modern journalism. She tackles the controversial issue of interviewing figures like Steve Bannon, emphasizing the importance of engagement over de-platforming. Zanny reflects on the challenges facing US media, the alarming rise of polarization, and how the Trump administration has impacted independent journalism. Plus, she unveils The Economist's innovative approach to AI and video content as they adapt to evolving reader habits.
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Defending Classical Liberal Values
- The Economist sees itself as an outsider defending classical liberal values amid rising scepticism.
- Zanny Minton Beddoes believes that stance matters more now than when the paper was founded in 1843.
Readership Beyond The Echo Chamber
- The Economist wants readers with different worldviews, including MAGA Republicans, to still find its analysis useful.
- Zanny says avoiding an echo chamber by engaging opposed readers strengthens the paper's influence.
A Fracturing Post‑War Order
- Zanny argues the post-war multilateral world is fracturing into a more transactional, rules-ignoring order.
- She expects to see the beginnings of what this new geopolitical order will become next year.