James Ball

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist James Ball shares his eye-opening experiences working alongside Julian Assange at WikiLeaks. He describes the chaotic, cult-like atmosphere and Assange’s unpredictable nature, revealing his 'pathological need to lie.' Ball discusses Assange’s controversial decisions, including a shocking response to a dangerous informant. He also reflects on WikiLeaks' moral failures and the complex legacy of both Assange and the organization, highlighting the clash between transparency and the safety of sources.

Join MP Christine Jardine, who dives into the urgent need for regulating social media like traditional publishers to combat hate speech. Political editor James Ball analyzes the shift in platform dynamics under Elon Musk and the rise of toxic online spaces. He highlights practical government actions to curb misinformation. Nina Pentinen shares Finland’s innovative multimedia approach in classrooms, emphasizing critical media skills against rapid content. Together, they explore the profound implications social media has on national security and societal trust.

James Ball, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of 'The System,' dives into the complex world of the internet and its unseen infrastructure. He discusses undersea cables and their surprising vulnerabilities, like shark attacks. The conversation touches on the intricacies of internet governance, including the challenges of managing domain ownership. Ball also critiques programmatic advertising's impact on privacy and emphasizes the pressing need for data governance to counter Silicon Valley's monopolistic trends.