The Media Show

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

In the aftermath of his halting debate performance, the editorial boards of some of the major US newspapers have called on Joe Biden to withdraw from the race for re-election. We ask why this issue is only being discussed so widely now, talking to a journalist who raised a comprehensive set of concerns but faced a backlash from others in the media and a former Executive Editor of The New York Times. Also in the programme, we explore how the disappearance of teenager Jay Slater in Tenerife has drawn the attention of online sleuths and the problems this creates for conventional reporters. Plus we hear what it's like reporting from Glastonbury, as well as what Ros and Katie got up to while they were there.Craig Oliver, former Downing Street Director of Communications; Jill Abramson, former Executive Editor, The New York Times; Annie Linskey, White House reporter, Wall Street Journal; Nayeema Raza, Co-Host, Semafor’s Mixed Signals podcast; Nick Garnett, Senior Journalist, BBC; Robyn Vinter, north of England correspondent, The Guardian; Craig Jackson, Professor of Psychology, Birmingham City University; El Hunt, Commissioning Editor, The Evening Standard. Presenters: Katie Razzall & Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

On the day Julian Assange is freed, we explore the story of WikiLeaks' unprecedented data releases, how he and the organisation changed the way journalists and newsrooms operate and how these releases ultimately led to his incarceration. Also in the programme, ITV's Julie Etchingham explains the secrets behind chairing prime ministerial debates and Steven Moffat, writer of new comedy drama Douglas is Cancelled, on why he's making journalism his subject. Guests: Leila Nathoo, Political Correspondent, BBC; Dominic Wring, Professor of Political Communication, Loughborough University; Jonathan Munro, Deputy Director, BBC News; Julie Etchingham, journalist and moderator, ITV news; James Ball, Political Editor, The New European; Carrie DeCell, senior staff attorney, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University; Katie Mark, Deputy Editor, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism; Steven Moffat, writer, Douglas is Cancelled.Presenters: Katie Razzall & Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

What's behind the glut of politics podcasts? Hardly a month goes by without a new title being launched, competing with established brands like The New York Times’s The Daily and the wildly popular The Rest is Politics with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart. We talk to the team behind the latter about the secrets of its success, and the opportunities for journalists who want to break free of the strictures of traditional broadcasting. We also consider their appeal to politicians and reflect on the dominance of the medium by middle aged men. Plus we ask how much influence these platforms ultimately have. Also in the programme, we look at the row engulfing The Washington Post's new British CEO Will Lewis.Guests: Baroness Ruth Davidson, Co-presenter, Electoral Dysfunction; Lewis Goodall, Co-host, The News Agents; Tony Pastor, Co-Founder, Goalhanger Podcasts; Adam Fleming, Presenter, Newscast; Nick Hilton, Co-founder, Podot; Vivian Schiller, Executive Director, Aspen DigitalPresenters: Katie Razzall & Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Martha Owen

We explore how political scandals unfold across the media and the art of the 'get to know' interview with two journalists who recently interviewed Rishi Sunak. As one of the alleged subjects of the Netflix drama Baby Reindeer sues the streamer for defamation, negligence and privacy violations, we weigh the legal arguments. Also in the programme, new online reality TV formats and how they're challenging the primacy of broadcasters and we look at LGBT representation in Dr Who and BBC dating show I Kissed a Girl. Guests: Paul Brand, UK Editor, ITV News; Camilla Tominey, Associate Editor, Daily Telegraph and host, The Daily T Podcast; Dominic Wring, Professor of Political Communication, Loughborough University; Stuart Benjamin, Professor of Law, Duke University; Persephone Bridgman Baker, Partner, Carter Ruck; Hannah Bowler, Senior Reporter, The Drum; Scott Bryan, TV Critic; Sophie Wilkinson, journalist and feature writerPresenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

How do we gauge the power of newspapers in this election? Will press endorsements from the mainstream media prove decisive, or does power now stem from corners of the media that are harder to define, boosted by opaque social media algorithms? And as big tech increasingly squeezes the revenue and audiences of news outlets, we talk to the Editor of The Atlantic on how to make journalism pay. Andrew Neil, presenter, Times Radio; Caroline Waterston, Editor-in-Chief, The Mirror; Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor in Chief, The Atlantic; Katie Notopoulos, Senior Tech Correspondent, Business InsiderPresenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai