The Media Show

The US Department of Justice says it has uncovered a Russian-influence operation recruiting prominent US right-wing influencers to convey its messages. We find out more. In the wake of the Southport stabbings, could more information from police have filled the information vacuum some believe led to the riots? The government’s Independent Reviewer of State Threat Legislation thinks so. He tells us why. As the public inquiry into what happened at the hospital where Lucy Letby murdered seven babies begins, we ask what impact conspiracy theories are having on the ongoing reporting of the story. Plus Jake Kanter from Deadline updates us on the other media stories making the news.Guests: Jake Kanter, Investigations Editor, Deadline; Maggie Miller, Cybersecurity Reporter, Politico; Catherine Belton, International Investigative Reporter, The Washington Post; Jonathan Hall KC, UK Government Independent Reviewer of State Threat Legislation; Judith Moritz, BBC North of England Correspondent; James Coney, News projects editor, Sunday Times Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai

As the final report of the six-year Grenfell inquiry is published, we explore the way the story has been covered by journalists. We hear about a boom in exports of Korean TV formats and talk to the British journalist who visited the Ukraine-occupied Russian region of Kursk. Guests: Ed Daffarn, blogger, Grenfell Action Group; Kate Lamble, Presenter, Grenfell: Building a Disaster; Gary Younge, Presenter, Over The Top Under The Radar podcast; Sophie Barnes, former Deputy News Editor, Inside Housing; Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times; Franics Scarr, Russian specialist, BBC Monitoring; Lucas Shaw, Head of Entertainment Coverage, Bloomberg; InSoon Kim, Head of Content, Something Special; Regina Kim, entertainment contributor, Forbes Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Asst Producer: Lucy Wai

After the detention in France of Pavel Durov, owner of the controversial Telegram app, we explore what the first arrest of a social media boss means for content regulation and freedom of speech. As a new parliamentary term begins, we find out how the new Labour government is managing the media. Also in the programme, there’s a new Chinese computer game which is breaking records – and revealing details of how the gaming industry is evolving. Plus, satirical outlet The Onion is returning to print. We find out why.Guests: Mike Isaac, Tech Correspondent, The New York Times; Steve Rosenberg, Russia Editor, BBC News; Matt Chorley, Presenter, BBC Radio 5 Live; Eleanor Langford, Political Reporter, The i; Keza MacDonald, Games Editor, The Guardian; Frankie Ward, eSports broadcaster; Chad Nackers, Editor, The Onion Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai

To many, we're living through a golden age of TV. But behind the rich offerings for consumers lie several growing structural issues, from a market oversupplied by streamers desperate for subscriptions, to the consequences of the US actors and writers strike, to a downturn in the advertising spend that powers the UK industry. Ros talks to a panel of TV big hitters at the Edinburgh International TV Festival. We hear from the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris is about to accept her party's nomination for President - all at a time when the candidate is refusing to do media interviews. Plus, after a spate of newspaper closures and high profile resignations, we explore the state of Scottish news media during a tumultuous period in the nation's politics. Guests: Chris Curtis, Editor, Broadcast; Stephen Lambert, Chief Executive, Studio Lambert, Andy Harries, CEO, Left Bank Pictures; Claire Lundberg, founder, CTL Scouting; Nicola Shindler, Chief Executive, Quay Street Productions Douglas Fraser, Business and Economy Editor, BBC Scotland; Frank O’Donnell, Senior Partner at Charlotte Street Partners; Karin Goodwin, Co-Editor, The Ferret; Nayeema Raza, Co-Presenter, Mixed Signals Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai

Lorna Woods, a key architect of the Online Safety Act, discusses its challenges post-riots. Nazir Afzal shares insights on legal ramifications, while Yasmin Alibhai-Brown critiques media's role in framing immigration narratives. Sunder Katwala emphasizes the need for balanced representation. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk's X platform's advertising struggles and the evolving dynamics between journalists and the police, exploring the impact of misinformation in today’s media landscape.

We talk to Tom Witherow from The Times who's been tracing where the false claim the Southport attacker is Muslim began, as well as reporters covering the riots on the ground. The Editor of The Sun, Victoria Newton, discusses that paper's coverage of Huw Edwards. What qualities do you need to be a journalist? The National Council for the Training of Journalists say the younger generation lacks confidence when it comes to tasks like cold calling and phone interviews. We find out more. Plus get the latest in the legal battle between Netflix and the alleged subject of its drama, Baby ReindeerGuests: Maria Breslin, Editor, The Liverpool Echo; Priyanka Raval, Reporter, The Bristol Cable; Tom Witherow, Reporter, The Times; Stephanie Stacey, Technology Reporter, The Financial Times; Jake Kanter, Investigations Editor, Deadline; Victoria Newton, Editor, The Sun; Laura Adams, Head of the Journalism Skills Academy, National Council for the Training of JournalistsPresenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

In this insightful discussion, journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy shares his experiences with Channel 4 News and delves into the impact of his time on Strictly Come Dancing, reflecting on both the challenges and joys of the show. He also addresses the surrounding media controversies and the difficult balance of reporting on high-profile scandals. Amanda Abbington adds a personal touch with her unique perspective on life as a contestant, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the glamorous yet pressurized entertainment world.

The trial of five activists who disrupted the M25 in London in 2022 concluded last week with them receiving the longest ever UK sentences for non-violent protest. Summing up, the judge thanked a journalist from The Sun newspaper who provided key evidence after secretly recording a Just Stop Oil meeting. Damien Gayle describes how he navigated reporting restrictions to cover dramatic scenes in court as the defendants attempted to draw attention to their cause. Jack Chapman is a producer who has also been covering the group's tactics in his Channel 4 documentary, Chris Packham: Is It Time to Break the Law? We explore the ethical and legal challenges of following these activists. It's a subject that divides opinion. Meera Selva explains why she feels the media as a whole gets the story wrong. Plus we discuss Kamala Harris's social media strategy; the findings of the BBC's annual report and how journalists are covering the Paris Olympics, which start this week.Guests: Damien Gayle, Environment Correspondent, The Guardian; Jack Chapman, Producer, Chris Packham: Is It Time to Break the Law?; Meera Selva, CEO, Internews Europe; Mimi Mihailescu, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Bath; Nicole Auerbach, Senior Writer, The Athletic; Max Miller, Sport & Tech Reporter, Broadcast Magazine; Dade Hayes, Business Editor, Deadline Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

We talk to three journalists who were there when a gunman tried to assassinate Donald Trump. The attack has brought renewed attention on the nature of America’s political discourse and the media’s role. We discuss this too. Katie has been reporting on Strictly Come Dancing as new claims about contestants’ experiences emerge. We talk with an agent whose clients have appeared on the show. Also in the programme, now that Euros are over we hear about the relationship between Gareth Southgate’s team and the journalists covering the campaign. Guests: Anna Moneymaker, Photographer, Getty Images; Gary O'Donoghue, Senior North America Correspondent, BBC; Hadriana Lowenkron, White House Reporter, Bloomberg; Jay Caspian Kang, Saff Writer, The New Yorker; Megan McArdle, columnist The Washington Post; Katie Hind, Showbiz Consultant Editor, The Mail on Sunday; Sue Ayton, Co-Founder, Knight Ayton; John Cross, Chief Football Writer, The Mirror; Jacob Steinberg, Football Reporter, The GuardianPresenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

In the aftermath of the Labour landslide Roger Mosey, former Editorial Directior of BBC News, accuses broadcasters of spending too much time on 'the kind of trivia that alienates voters.' Should journalism do better? We test the thesis with new research from Dominic Wring of Loughborough University outlining the topics journalists covered most, plus Sam Jeffers from media transparency organisation Who Targets Me explains how the parties used social media and Harriet Line from The Daily Mail tells us how she's going to cultivate contacts to report on the new government.Across the channel the French election continues to surprise with the campaign dominated by parties, from left and right, at the farther ends of the political spectrum. Victor Goury-Laffont, Politics Reporter at Politico Europe and Dr Ayala Panievsky from City University explain the challenges for journalism of covering populist campaigns. Also in the programme, we talk to journalist Oz Katerji who arrived at the scene of the missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, stopped reporting and started helping. Guests: Oz Katerji, war correspondent and filmmaker; Roger Mosey, Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, former Editorial Director, BBC; Dominic Wring, Professor of Political Communication, Loughborough University; Priyanka Raval, Reporter, The Bristol Cable; Dr Ayala Panievsky, Presidential Fellow, City University; Victor Goury-Laffont, Politics Reporter, Politico Europe; Harriet Line, Deputy Political Editor, Daily Mail; Sam Jeffers, Executive Director, Who Targets Me Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson