Media Confidential Has Ofcom opened the door to a British Fox News?
Oct 30, 2025
The hosts dive into the implications of RedBird's bid for the Telegraph, raising concerns about foreign influence in UK media. They discuss Ofcom's new guidance on politicians as news presenters, pondering if it paves the way for a British equivalent of Fox News. The conversation heats up with Michael Wolff's counter-suit against Melania Trump, linked to potential Epstein revelations. Finally, they touch on the challenges of safely reporting during natural disasters, emphasizing the ethical dilemmas faced by editors.
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Foreign Ownership Signals Matter
- The Redbird bid for the Daily Telegraph raises deep questions about foreign influence and editorial independence.
- Lionel Barber warns ownership signals matter more than labels like ‘American’ or ‘Chinese’.
Practical Credibility Beats Purity
- Redbird is presented as credible US media ownership with experience at Paramount and CBS.
- Lionel Barber argues practical competence and investment often beat ideological purity when choosing owners.
Ofcom Could Enable Partisan News
- Ofcom's clarification on politicians presenting news risks normalising partisan presenters on public-service channels.
- Alan Rutherford says the change could open the door to a British Fox News if not tightened.