Is the BBC losing its grip on journalistic credibility? Or is it being pushed?  

This episode of The Week Unspun unpacks a chaotic week in media and politics with sharp insight from PR veterans Farzana Baduel, David Gallagher, Doug Downs, and special guest Adrian Monck. The BBC’s controversial editing of a Donald Trump speech for Panorama sparks a fierce debate on ethics, institutional accountability, and media governance. From internal BBC politics to the broader implications for press freedom, the team dissects why this incident led to resignations at the highest levels.  

The conversation then pivots to the political circus of the U.S. government shutdown and the erosion of trust in public institutions, before exploring the branding brilliance behind Dubai’s appeal to wealthy expatriates fleeing taxation and uncertainty in the UK.  

Audio Chapters

4:06 Should One Edit lead to Top BBC resignations?
13:49 Are Governments Held to the Same PR Standards as Corporations?
17:45 Why are UK Tech Billionaires Fleeing to Dubai?
20:58 Is the UAE Winning the Global Nation Branding Game? 
 

Video Chapters

2:02 What did the BBC really edit out of Trump’s speech, and why does it matter?
4:06 Should one error lead to top BBC resignations?
13:49 Are governments held to the same PR standards as corporations?
17:45 Why are UK tech billionaires fleeing to Dubai?
20:58 Is the UAE winning the global nation branding game?

Guest: Adrian Monck

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