Media Confidential

Charles Moore, the former editor of the Daily Telegraph and biographer of Margaret Thatcher, joins the discussion about significant media changes. He shares insights on the complex sale of the Daily Telegraph, weighing potential buyers and the impacts of foreign ownership. The conversation also covers the recent settlement with Prince Harry and the implications of Murdoch's media misconduct. Additionally, the dialogue touches on the ongoing challenges faced by journalism, especially in maintaining editorial independence amid financial struggles.

Janine Gibson, a seasoned journalist and former editor, joins Alan to share her fascinating career insights. They recount amusing blunders, including an unforgettable encounter with a Meryl Streep impersonator. The duo discusses the future of the BBC, exploring funding challenges and potential changes to its governance. Personal anecdotes about messy interviews add humor, while reflections on journalism's critical role in democracy resonate throughout. Get ready for entertaining stories mixed with pressing media questions!

In this engaging discussion, Armando Iannucci, renowned Scottish satirist behind classics like Veep, shares his sharp insights on Elon Musk's impact on media and political discourse. He humorously critiques Musk's penchant for using X as a personal megaphone and questions the ramifications for global democracy. Joining him is Janine Gibson, Editor of the Weekend FT, who navigates the absurd customer service dynamics on social media. Together, they tackle the challenges of journalism in the age of sensationalism and the evolving nature of public conversation.

Alan and Lionel dive into the shifting media landscape of 2025, advocating for fact-based journalism to combat misinformation. They discuss the staggering popularity of Joe Rogan's podcast and its impact on celebrity culture. The hosts share humorous accounts of their starstruck encounters with Barack Obama and the Queen, highlighting the unique pressures of meeting such icons. Their candid stories and insights into media independence make for a captivating discussion, blending seriousness with light-hearted moments.

Janine Gibson, editor of FT Weekend, delves into the media landscape of 2025, exploring how Trump's potential second term could threaten press freedoms. The conversation highlights Mark Zuckerberg's controversial stance on fact-checking and the rise of new media figures like Joe Rogan and ConnorEatsPants. Gibson and the hosts discuss the implications of ongoing high-profile legal battles, including Prince Harry's potential court case against Murdoch, painting a vivid picture of an evolving and tumultuous media environment.

Rowan Williams, the Former Archbishop of Canterbury, offers a thoughtful Christian perspective on assisted dying, while Brenda Hale, the Former President of the Supreme Court, shares her legal insights and personal reflections. They delve into the moral complexities of assisted dying legislation, discussing the balance between autonomy and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Their conversation addresses the ethics of end-of-life decisions, the influence of faith on moral choices, and the potential ramifications of legalizing assisted dying in society.

The hosts reflect on a tumultuous year in media, highlighting notable events like the Post Office scandal and the rise of AI's influence in journalism. They debate the implications of political donations and fiercely critique how the media portrays complex figures like Sam Bankman-Fried and Donald Trump. Insightful discussions reveal concerns over ownership struggles at The Observer and the impact of media tensions on upcoming elections. With striking anecdotes from courageous reporters in Gaza and a gripping exchange over literary critiques, it’s a whirlwind look back at 2024.

Could machine-generated articles replace those created by human beings?After their series on AI in the media, Alan and Lionel now turn to listeners’ questions.There's no question that AI could help to make journalists lives easier, but what sort of practical uses will there be on a day-to-day basis? Is there a risk that AI will take over the creative roles of writers and reporters? And what are the main threats to media employees?Alan and Lionel remain cautiously optimistic about the future of the tools that will become more and more available.They’re convinced that the subtlety, wit and nuance of real-life journalists will win out and cannot be replaced by machines. At least not yet…Follow us on BlueSky @prospectmagazine.bsky.social and stay up to date with all our latest stories by signing up to our new daily newsletter Lightbulb—simply click on the newsletter tab on our website and enter your email address to register. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can traditional journalism survive when ChatGPT is able to produce copy in a matter of seconds?In Media Confidential’s third episode in a series exploring the world of artificial intelligence, Alan and Lionel are joined by Felix Simon, an AI expert and research fellow at the Reuters Institute of Journalism.He shares how the technology could transform the way newsrooms operate, and why this might actually be a good thing.Meanwhile, despite ongoing deals between AI companies, publishers and news organisations, data scraping and the future of copyright ownership remains a grey area. Why does it matter?To watch this video, head to our YouTube channel, where Media Confidential is published every Thursday.Not sure what to gift this Christmas? Why not make use of Prospect’s discounted subscription offer here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do if a big story breaks on Christmas Day and there's a skeleton crew running the newsroom?That's just one of the seasonal questions put to Alan and Lionel in this week's Q&A episode.The editors also discuss Mishal Husain's departure from the BBC's Today programme, characterising her as one of the best interviewers of recent times.Finally, they reflect on how reporting has changed since the #MeToo movement. One feature of the Daily Mail, in particular, is singled out as being stuck in the 1980s.If you're after Christmas gift ideas, look no further than our very own Lionel Barber's recent book Gambling Man, or why not try a discounted subscription to Prospect magazine? (Listener Annie Day's dad will be very happy this year!)https://subscription.prospectmagazine.co.uk/dec24off/prospect-magazine/de24nl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.