How is Reach, the publisher of The Mirror and the Daily Express, cracking down on fake AI ‘experts’? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.

Our guest on Beyond the Noise this week is David Higgerson, chief content officer at Reach.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

The Mirror and Daily Express publisher last month confirmed it was compiling a directory of trusted PR agencies, and considering blocking emails from domains it doesn’t trust, to stop the rise of fake AI ‘experts’. It followed a series of high-profile incidents reported by Press Gazette in which media titles, some owned by Reach, inadvertently quoted ‘experts’ in articles who were later exposed as fake.

Speaking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, Higgerson discusses how widespread the problem of fake ‘experts’ being put forward as case studies has become in the age of AI.

He talks through what Reach has been doing as part of its crackdown, including how the publisher is using AI itself to tackle the problem, and the importance of strong journalist/PR relationships.

Higgerson tells the podcast there is “no danger” of legimate comms professionals being prevented from contacting Reach journalists as part of the actions.

Separately, he discusses other recent developments at Reach, whose stable also includes OK! magazine, the Daily Star and a host of regional newspapers. This includes the growth in specialist video roles, how Reach journalists are using AI, and the impact of Google AI summaries on traffic.

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PRWeek’s latest podcast examines how the PR industry in the UAE, and the wider Middle East, has been responding to the new crisis.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or on your favourite platform.

Our guest this week is Conrad Egbert, who is based in Dubai and leads the PRCA’s operations in the MENA region.

Events in the Middle East have dominated the news in recent days following the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran, and the retaliatory strikes directed at several US allies in the region. This includes the United Arab Emirates, which is home to a particularly thriving PR industry.

Speaking to PRWeek journalists John Harrington and Eliza Wiredu on Tuesday afternoon (3 March), Egbert discusses what life is like on the ground in Dubai in the aftermath of the strikes, and during the ongoing crisis.

He talks about how the PR industry is adapting to the situation, including how agencies are handling live events and supporting employees and clients alike.

He analyses how the authorities have been handling their communications and bemoans the deluge of mis- and disinformation appearing online.

Egbert also explains how PR in the UAE will “bounce back” after the crisis.

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As of 2026, the UK space industry is a significant and strategic driver of the national economy, contributing over £19 billion in revenue and supporting tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs. Satellite-based services and data underpin roughly 18% of UK GDP, equivalent to approximately £454 billion of the wider economy. And the sector is growing exponentially.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. For the space industry to fully realise its potential it needs more of the right people to understand what’s happening and get involved. People like policy makers, investors, regulators, planners, communicators, lawyers and consultants.

Dr Alice Bunn, the president of UK Space, and her panel of guests, Sam Alden co-CEO of Space Solar, Nick Shave managing director of Astroscale and Anushka Sharma founder of Naaut, discuss the surprising, awe inspiring business of space and make the compelling case for why more companies and investors should get involved. 

Contributors:

Host:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Guests:

Nick Shave, Managing Director of Astroscale

Nick Shave FRAeS | LinkedIn

Astroscale: Overview | LinkedIn

Sam Adlen, CEO of Space Solar

Sam Adlen | LinkedIn

Space Solar: Overview | LinkedIn

Anushka Sharma, founder of Naaut

Anushka Sharma | LinkedIn

Naaut: About | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

Impact of Space on Everyday Life

• Practical Applications
• Environmental Monitoring
• Global Security

Sustainability and Innovation in Orbit

• Space Debris
• Manufacturing in Microgravity
• Space-Based Solar Power

Economic and Regulatory Landscape

• Cost Reduction
• Investment and Finance
• Regulation and Policy

The Future of Space Exploration

• New Platforms
• Academic Contribution

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How should PR pros react to Reddit’s surge in popularity? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.

Joining the latest episode of Beyond the Noise are Paige Hiley, director of social at Golin; and Jo Bromilow, director of social and influence at MSL.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

Speaking to PRWeek UK deputy news editor Evie Barrett, the guests discuss clients taking an interest in social media platform Reddit, and how its community focus requires an entirely different approach to other channels.

Reddit’s changing userbase, and its links to Google and OpenAI, are also discussed within the episode.

Bromilow and Hiley give advice on communicating with Reddit moderators, as well as using the app as a social listening tool.

The episode was recorded prior to the news of Reddit being fined £14m by the Information Commissioner’s Office for failing to properly check the age of its users, as reported on Tuesday (24 February).

Commenting after the announcement, Bromilow said: “Reddit’s response – that it intends to appeal and that it feels like it treads a delicate balance between protecting users’ privacy and policing its platform – is a consistent one with how it has always operated and helps reinforce some of the points we made about the platform self-policing and the moderators existing to protect the userbase.

“There have been lots of headlines recently about various social networks from TikTok to Meta being hit with fines in this regard, so this isn’t a Reddit-specific issue. I anticipate a lot of back and forth along these lines as the online safety act comes into effect, and the reality of enforcing it vs the PR power of talking about it.”

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The shake-up of Omnicom’s PR agencies, and rumours that WPP could sell Burson, are examined in PRWeek’s latest podcast.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

PRWeek journalists John Harrington (UK editor), Siobhan Holt (deputy editor) and Evie Barrett (deputy news editor) discuss the bombshell news last week that Golin and Ketchum are to merge, and Porter Novelli will fold into FleishmanHillard, following Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG late last year.

The trio look at what the industry has been saying about the news, whether they were surprised by it, and if they think it is a good idea.

Separately, the team give their take on rumours that WPP could look to sell Burson as part of a restructure at the UK-headquartered holding company. They discuss reactions from experts to the alleged plan, and the likelihood of such a move.

Finally, the journalists look at how important PR agencies are to the holding company giants.

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Is this a watershed moment for public affairs? PRWeek UK’s latest podcast debates this question, following the increased scrutiny around ex-Labour politician Lord Peter Mandelson. Joining PRWeek’s Siobhan Holt on Beyond the Noise this week is Jon Gerlis, head of public relations and policy at the CIPR and Leon Cook, founder of Atticus Partners, who is an executive committee member on the PRCA’s public affairs board. 

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.

Lobbying is back in the headlines following increased scrutiny relating to former Labour politician and ambassador to the US, Lord Mandelson, and his closeness to the late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. 

The fallout has impacted Global Counsel, the advisory firm co-founded by the former MP, as well as the UK Government, with two high-profile resignations, including Downing Street comms chief Tim Allan.

As a result, questions have been raised about ethics and lobbying in public affairs. On this week’s podcast, Gerlis and Cook debate the recent revelations and discuss the impact on the industry’s reputation. 

They examine whether tighter lobbying regulations are the answer, and whether the latest scandal is a tipping point for public affairs.  

Finally, the pair chat about Allan’s departure from Number 10 and share their predictions for UK politics over the rest of 2026.

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Are companies really retreating from ESG, or is the discipline evolving? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.

Joining the latest episode of Beyond the Noise are Sarita Shah, senior vice-president at Weber Shandwick; and Sarah Ogden, chief client officer for Europe at Zeno Group.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

Speaking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, the guests assess how companies’ approaches to ESG [environmental, social, and governance] policies really changed in 2025 amid the so-called ‘retreat from ESG’ in the second Trump presidency.

This includes looking at regional differences between America, Europe and elsewhere, and asking whether it is ‘performative’ ESG that has been curbed.

The role of comms in ESG, and how comms departments are embedding the skills, are also discussed. The duo examine major changes so far this year – and predict what lies ahead. They also question whether the ESG acronym will survive in the future, and discuss whether comms should ‘own’ the genre.

Shah and Ogden begin the podcast by looking at the biggest lessons from the World Economic Forum in Davos – and how the industry should adapt to the ‘new world order’.

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How are PR agencies handling their finances? PRWeek UK’s latest podcast takes a look, following the release of the groundbreaking Companies House Files.

Joining PRWeek’s John Harrington and Elena Lewis on Beyond the Noise this week is Esther Carder, partner at the accountancy firm Moore Kingston Smith.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

PRWeek’s Companies House Files, which launched last week, gives readers exclusive insights into major trends across a range of topics, all drawn from data accessed via Companies House.

This podcast episode asks important questions based on key findings revealed so far. These include:

• How acutely are agencies feeling the pressure on wage costs, and how has this changed in recent years?
• What is happening to agency headcounts?
• Are profits under greater pressure, and if so, why?
• What is happening to agency tax bills?
• Why has pay for agency bosses dipped?

Carder also discusses her biggest concerns for agency finances in the period ahead, and offers advice on staying on top of the challenges.

Stay tuned to prweek.co.uk over the coming months for more insights from the Companies House Files.

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What do freelancers want from PR employers? – PRWeek podcast

PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast episode asks what freelancers want from PR employers.

Joining the podcast this week are two experienced freelance PR professionals, Karolina Throssell and Kate Lam.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.

Speaking to PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt, the guests discuss what made them switch to freelance work, what skills you need to be a successful freelancer, and how they find regular work in the comms and PR industry.

The pair also chat about payment structures, and what a great client/freelancer relationship looks like, as well as their top tips to improve it.

Finally, the two freelancers chat about how to combat loneliness and offer tips to any PR or comms professional considering going solo.

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PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast episode takes a closer look at recruitment trends in 2026.

Joining the podcast this week, from specialist comms and PR recruitment agencies, are Rohan Shah, co-founder of Reuben Sinclair, and Christabel Hosking, a recruitment consultant at Latte.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

Speaking to PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt, the guests discuss the latest recruitment trends, including hiring across different job levels, salary trends and what benefits staff are looking for from PR employers. 

Shah and Hosking chat about the impact of AI on the recruitment industry, as well as the technology’s impact on job roles within PR, such as account executives. 

The duo also offer predictions on which job titles they think will be extinct in the PR industry in five years’ time.

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