The Media Show

Conrad Black is on bail in the USA while he appeals against his convictions for fraud and obstruction of justice. If he succeeds, he may be free to return to the UK sooner than expected. Talking to Steve Hewlett by phone from America, Lord Black explains why he might return to newspapers and shares his thoughts on his former rival Rupert Murdoch and on the role of a newspaper proprietor. Former Guardian editor Peter Preston offers his prediction of what Conrad Black will do on his return.The Independent has launched "i", a 20p quality newspaper which is said to be aimed at the time poor with "all you need to know in the time you have". Andrew Mullins is the Independent's managing director and one of the team that came up with the idea and, with advertising exec Alan Brydon of MPG Media, discusses the new papers prospects.And, with the front page of the Times announcing "advertising soars" as one of the reasons to be hopeful, Steve's guests give their view on signs for optimism.

After the chancellor George Osborne's announcement on the funding of the BBC, Steve Hewlett asks BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons if this really is a good deal for an independent BBC or, as some claim, the day the BBC became a state broadcaster. Media commentator Dan Sabbagh looks at how the deal was put together and early signs that parts are already unravelling.Danny Cohen is the new controller of BBC1. Former controller Lorraine Heggessey looks at the challenges he faces. Can viewers expect a taste of his former channels aimed at younger people, BBC3 and E4? And, today, Reporters without Borders releases its annual survey of press freedom around the world. Why, in their view, does the UK still not make the top ten - and where do they stand on the Pentagon's call for journalists to stop reporting leaks from Wikileaks?

Ben Fenton, who broke the story of a letter to Vince Cable regarding Rupert Murdoch's bid for Sky, joins Phil Harding to discuss media plurality. Newspaper editors challenge new FSA guidelines, while Sally Brampton reflects on the impact of Claire Rayner's agony aunt role. The Chile mine rescue prompts questions about news commentary quality.

Last week the Radio Times accidentally released the names of the final twelve X Factor contestants before the programmes were broadcast, so confirming the names that had been circulating on the internet since early September. It was reported that Simon Cowell was "very, very disappointed" by the mistake but it is unlikely he would have been disappointed with the huge viewing figures that followed. How far can broadcasters control the leaks and rumours, to boost interest while not spoiling viewers' enjoyment? That's the discussion between David Liddiment, former director of ITV, Emma Cox of The Sun and Lisa McGarry of Unrealitytv.com.TalkSport's head of programmes Moz Dee talks about taking on Russell Brand for his first weekly radio programmes since he left Radio 2 over "Sachsgate". He also tells how he secured the radio rights for the Rugby World Cup from under the nose of the BBC.And Chris Wheal tells Steve what it was like to receive press attention when his nephew was killed by a fall this summer. Even though he made it clear that the family only wanted to speak through him, journalist after journalist contacted his sister, which made her feel threatened and harassed. He has been helping the Press Complaints Commission find ways to prevent this happening to others.

Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State at the DCMS, has made the encouragement of local TV a flagship policy and has now given more details of how this might work. Steve gets reaction from Barry Clack of Witney TV, which was highlighted in Jeremy Hunt's speech yesterday and from Helen Philpot who runs Lincolnshire's Channel Seven and who has been talking to government advisers. Mark Oliver of analysts Oliver and Ohlbaum gives his view on the likelihood of the plans succeeding.Both Virgin and Sky are launching 3D channels this week. Matthew Horsman of Mediatique joins Steve to examine how the services fit into the broadcasters' strategy. What impact does 3D have to make to prove successful? And Conservative peer Lord Fowler joins the debate on how the BBC should be run, calling for the BBC Trust to be revamped to give Director General Mark Thompson more support at what he says is a crucial time for the BBC's future. Lord Fowler has been chair of the Lords communications committee. The producer is Simon Tillotson.

A story has leaked this morning that the BBC is to allow the National Audit Office to look at its accounts - an idea proposed by the three main parties before the election. An announcement is expected from Don Foster at the Lib Dem conference in Liverpool. When the idea was first raised, there were concerns that government inspection of the BBC books could compromise its independence. Media commentator Dan Sabbagh of Beehive City looks at the potential points of conflict.In Prospect magazine tomorrow, Peter Kellner writes on his research that shows a marked drop in the public trust in journalists in the last 5 years while trust in politicians has apparently increased. He discusses this with Elinor Goodman, former political editor at Channel 4 news. Elinor Goodman is at the Lib Dem conference and comments on the change in the level of media interest this year.And in a wide ranging interview, Lord Puttnam discusses the possible impact of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp's planned buy out of BSkyB, executive pay at the BBC and Channel 4 and the government's closure of the UK Film Council.The producer is Simon Tillotson.

Rupert Murdoch's plans to buy out BSkyB have been questioned this week, with the leak of a report calling for Business Secretary Vince Cable to call in any deal for review. This would be under a law designed "to ensure the existence of a range of media voices, safeguarding the vibrancy of democratic debate". So should any takeover be subject to scrutiny? That is the discussion between TV executive David Elstein, former head of programming at BSkyB and Will Hutton, columnist and former editor of the Observer.The BBC has lost two leading figures this week, BBC One controller Jay Hunt and BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons. Jay Hunt starts with Channel 4 in January. What might this mean for the direction of the BBC and the programmes viewers see on BBC1? Media commentator Maggie Brown gives her view.London's 95.8 Capital FM is to go national, as the parent company Global Radio rebrands its local and regional chart pop music stations under the Capital name, just as it already has with Heart. Global chief executive Stephen Miron explains what lies behind the change. The British Film Institute has announced the discovery of 100 hours of tv dramas from the 1960s, lost until found recently in an archive in the USA. They include early performances by Sean Connery, Jane Asher and Dorothy Tutin, from a time when the tapes on which programmes were recorded were often wiped so they could be reused. The BFI's curator Steve Bryant talks about plans to show some of the plays in its "Missing Believed Wiped" season. The producer is Simon Tillotson.

Political blogger Paul Staines responds to critics, phone hacking scandal at News of the World dissected. Media's coverage of Pope's visit and religion's role in the headlines debated. Discussion on journalism's handling of sensitive topics like God's existence and the intertwining of faith and reporting.

When Mark Thompson spoke of "radical change" at the BBC and insisted that he was "up for the fight," in his speech at the Edinburgh TV festival, exactly what did he mean? Steve Hewlett speaks to the BBC's Creative Director Alan Yentob.In that same speech, the MacTaggart Memorial Lecture, the BBC's Director General also said that "it's time for Sky to pull its weight" - Sky's Director of Public Affairs David Wheeldon responds.The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson has written a blog headlined "Blair and Brown - an apology". It's tongue in cheek but refers to the jucier side of what Tony Blair has told us in his memoirs published today. But how much of what we now know - did we not know then? And what does it tell us about political reporting?And after Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp walked out of an interview with Sky Sports after his side lost at the weekend, and Sir Alex Ferguson continues to refuse to be interviewed by the BBC, we ask what value do post-match interviews hold? Steve is joined by Lynne Truss and Guardian sport's writer David Lacey. The producer is Joe Kent.