Mehdi Hasan, BBC Gaza doc controversy, Peter Thiel profile
Feb 26, 2025
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In this discussion, Mehdi Hasan, a British-American broadcaster and CEO of Zeteo, shares insights on his career in opinion journalism and the launch of his new media venture. Chi Onwurah, Labour MP, reacts to a parliamentary inquiry into social media's accountability following misinformation issues. Dorothy Byrne critiques the BBC's controversial Gaza documentary, emphasizing transparency in journalism. Meanwhile, Peter Thiel's significant influence on tech and his complex biography are explored, revealing the tensions between innovation and ethical practices.
The BBC Gaza documentary controversy underscores the urgent need for rigorous editorial oversight and accountability in media production.
UK MPs expressed significant frustration with social media companies' lack of accountability in managing misinformation and user safety on their platforms.
Mehdi Hasan's shift to founding Zeteo highlights a growing demand for independent journalism that elevates progressive voices often sidelined by mainstream media.
Deep dives
BBC's Controversial Documentary
A BBC documentary about Gaza faced backlash after it was revealed that the young narrator is the son of a Hamas official. Critics argue that the BBC failed to conduct proper due diligence, raising questions about its editorial oversight in film production. The incident highlighted ongoing debates about accountability and transparency in media, particularly regarding sensitive political topics. The BBC's last-minute removal of the documentary from iPlayer points to the complications surrounding trust in news reporting and the critical need for thorough vetting in journalism.
MPs Challenge Tech Giants on Misinformation
UK MPs scrutinized top tech executives from platforms like Meta, TikTok, X, and Google regarding their handling of misinformation, especially following incidents connected to the Southport riots. The discussions emphasized the perceived lack of accountability from these billion-dollar companies, particularly in their efforts to mitigate the spread of harmful content. Despite tech leaders claiming accountability to Parliament, they provided vague answers about their processes for managing false information on their platforms. This session underscored concerns about the business models of these companies, which incentivize engagement over the responsible moderation of content.
The Struggles of Social Media Moderation
The conversation among MPs revealed significant frustrations with social media companies' responses to complaints about abusive behavior on their platforms. Specific examples highlighted situations where offensive comments were not adequately addressed, prompting serious concerns regarding user safety and content moderation practices. Companies like TikTok and Facebook faced scrutiny for their methods of handling harmful messages, with inadequate explanations for their moderation guidelines. The discussion underscored the broader implications of online abuse and the challenges in holding platforms accountable for maintaining user safety.
Mehdi Hassan's Media Ventures
Mehdi Hassan, a prominent journalist and political commentator, has recently transitioned from traditional media to founding his own outlet, Zeteo, which aims to provide independent and accountability-driven journalism. His approach involves creating a space for progressive voices often marginalized by mainstream media, reflecting his belief in the critical need for diverse media representation. Hassan's past experiences in various media roles have shaped his combative style, one that pursues challenging interviews and direct engagement with political issues. His shift highlights a growing trend toward independent journalism amid the evolving landscape of media consumption.
Peter Thiel's Influence in Silicon Valley
Peter Thiel is recognized as a key figure in Silicon Valley, having co-founded PayPal and been an early investor in Facebook, significantly shaping the tech landscape. His career reflects a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and political activism, resulting in the rise of a network known as the 'PayPal mafia,' which collaborates on various ventures. Thiel's conservative viewpoints and criticism of progressive ideologies have contributed to a rightward shift in tech discourse, engaging with issues around democracy and innovation. His influence remains profound as he continues to advocate for fewer restrictions on technology and innovation.
Social media bosses from Meta, X, TikTok and Google were grilled by the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee yesterday. We speak to Labour Chair of the committee, Chi Onwurah, for her reaction. Also on the programme, a career interview with the British-American broadcaster Mehdi Hasan. He discusses his new media business Zeteo, his departure from MSNBC and the importance of opinion journalism. As the BBC faces criticism about its Gaza documentary – it’s emerged that the boy who narrates the film is the son of a Hamas official – we discuss the controversy with former Head of News & Current Affairs at Channel 4, Dorothy Byrne, and TV executive Leo Pearlman. Plus, Max Chafkin, Bloomberg reporter and author of The Contrarian, profiles Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel.
Guests: Chi Onwurah, MP, Labour; Mehdi Hasan, broadcaster and CEO, Zeteo; Dorothy Byrne, former Head of News and Current Affairs, Channel Four; Leo Pearlman, Co-CEO, Fulwell Entertainment; Max Chafkin, tech reporter and author, Bloomberg
Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Producer: Simon Richardson
Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai
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