In an era of punitive lawsuits, how can we protect journalistic freedoms?

This week, Alan and Janine talk to David McCraw, the lead newsroom lawyer for the New York Times. With Donald Trump’s record of launching libel cases against major media outlets on both sides of the pond, the three discuss how big lawsuits are used to capture headlines and apply pressure.

They talk about the significance of the 1964 landmark case New York Times v Sullivan, the weaknesses of UK legislation, and the need for reform.

Plus, David gives his expert advice to the BBC.

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Alan and Janine discuss the potential candidates for the top job in British media—and there’s no shortage of suspects.

The pair break down the candidates’ CVs and even ring up one Lionel Barber on holiday to get his thoughts...

Plus, one listener asks who signs off on decisions like the one to edit the Trump speech that got BBC’s Panorama programme into such hot water. Where does an editor’s responsibility end?

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The BBC is under attack. Alan and Janine go to heart of the biggest media story of the week, and reveal what really happened at the disastrous board meeting that toppled BBC leadership. Under fire from powerful enemies at home and abroad, does the broadcasting service have a future? 

They're joined by Pat Younge, chair of the British Broadcasting Challenge, which promotes public discussion about UK public service broadcasting, and former chief creative officer of BBC Television.

The three discuss how to best tackle the legal threats from Donald Trump over an edited Panorama episode—and the challenges that lie ahead for British media. 

Plus, Alan and Janine pick apart the resignations of its director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness, and unpack the shadowy influence of Robbie Gibb. What role did Gibb play in the drama that unfolded? 

And, with some coaxing, Pat shares who he’s betting on for top job.

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Do you have the nerve?

Carole Cadwalladr and Sarah Donaldson join Alan and Janine to discuss their new independent media platform the Nerve which focuses on culture, politics and tech—and share why they felt there was no room for their work at the Observer under new management.

The four discuss the all-female founding team, the driving mission behind the project and how they are already ahead of subscriber targets. But will they be able to cope if Carole’s latest story gets them into legal trouble?

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Alan is joined by Janine Gibson, editor of the Weekend FT and this week’s guest host on Media Confidential.

The pair discuss the media response to a train stabbing incident in Huntingdon.

They also weigh in on the Telegraph’s attacks on the BBC, amid reports that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by selectively editing a Donald Trump speech during the storming of the Capitol. Should heads roll?

Alan and Janine discuss scrutiny on BBC Arabic, and whether bias goes to the top of the British institution, especially in the form of Robbie Gibb, who sits on the corporation's editorial standards committee.

Plus, the pair talk The Celebrity Traitors. Water-cooler TV chats may not be a thing of the past, but Alan’s TV watching habits certainly are. Tune in to find out why.

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In this week’s Media Confidential, the co-founder of podcasting giant Goalhanger, Tony Pastor, reveals the drama behind The Rest is Politics and the secrets to the podcast’s success.

He, Alan and Lionel chat about the podcast revolution and how the Covid-19 pandemic transformed the audio landscape in the UK.  

Plus, Tony explains how each host gets ‘chemistry tested’ before a new series, which podcasts aren't worth listening to—and how the video renaissance is changing everything.

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As American firm RedBird continues its bid to take over the Telegraph, Alan and Lionel discuss concerns about foreign influence and what it means for media ownership in Britain.

They weigh in on Ofcom updating its guidance on politicians being news presenters. Does it open the doors to a Fox News equivalent in the UK?

Plus, Alan and Lionel talk about Michael Wolff counter-suing Melania Trump, after she threatened a $1bn lawsuit against him to prevent reporting about her alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. And as Hurricane Melissa wrecks havoc in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, one listener asks how to report safely on natural disasters.

Send your questions to Alan and Lionel at [email protected]

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Is the British media complicit in the Gaza genocide?

This week, things heat up as Alan and Lionel are joined by Peter Oborne, former Telegraph chief political commentator, whose most recent book is Complicit: Britain’s role in the destruction of Gaza.

Peter discusses the influence of pro-Israel lobbyists on British politics, his own political evolution, and the challenges of reporting fairly. He asks why the BBC never reported on Israel’s Dahiya doctrine, which he thinks explains its assaults on civilian infrastructure.

Peter, who now writes for Middle East Eye, analyses where the British media has failed on Gaza—but also which reporters are getting it right. The three discuss the impact of media narratives about international events, the stories that get silenced, and who the heroes of this moment in history might be. 

Plus, Peter and Lionel go head-to-head in a memorable exchange—one of the fieriest in Media Confidential history. Listen to hear it as it happened.

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In this week’s special episode, Alan and Lionel are grilled by Sheffield University’s third-year Broadcast Journalism students.

The pair are asked about using artificial intelligence in newsrooms, how to cover Gaza with fairness, and whether they think China is being underreported on.

They also discuss imposter syndrome in the media world, and how to report stories that people don’t want to hear (but also get them to pay for it).

Send your questions to Alan and Lionel at [email protected]

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More journalists have been killed in Gaza than in any other conflict in history.

This week, the editor-in-chief at Reuters, Alessandra Galloni, joins Alan and Lionel to reflect on the last two years of covering the war on Gaza.

She discusses the Israeli Defence Force’s killing of journalists in both Gaza and Lebanon, amid ongoing calls for accountability, and reveals why the news agency stopped giving the coordinates of their reporters to the IDF.

She also recalls asking the Israeli government for an investigation into the killing of a Reuters journalist at the start of the war, and asks why, two years later, they’re “still waiting”.

To read more on this subject from Prospect, click here.

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