Do you always have to offer the people you’re reporting on a chance to give their side of the story? In this episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel share when giving the right of reply has backfired on them.

They also discuss Fox News, after one listener asks a tongue-in-cheek question. 

And the hosts talk about whether media reports about Donald Trump’s mental state are responsible, as well as the sale of the conservative digital media outlet The Free Press.

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This week’s special episode of Media Confidential coincides with ITV’s new drama The Hack, about the phone-hacking scandal which led to the closure of the News of the World, the Leveson Inquiry, and a national reckoning on press ethics.

This week, Prospect’s Alan Rusbridger is joined by actor Toby Jones—who plays him in the series—along with Emmy award-winning writer Jack Thorne, executive producer Patrick Spence, and journalist and academic Jane Martinson.

The panel discuss bringing the story to the small screen, how the government can help support the arts, and the power of drama.

They explore journalism at its worst, but also how reporting can make a difference. Is a second Leveson inquiry needed?

To read Nick Davies’s series on the phone-hacking scandal for Prospect, click here.

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Alan and Lionel are joined by special guest Lisa Nandy, secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport.

Lisa responds to Elon Musk’s allegations that free speech is being muzzled in Britain.

The editors also challenge her on the government refusing to sanction GB News, despite its political motivations.

They also discuss the future of the BBC, trust in the media, and the UK’s decision to regulate US big tech, in the face of tariff threats from Trump.

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How have Trump’s defamation lawsuits affected press freedom?

Alan and Lionel discuss Donald Trump’s $15bn lawsuit against the New York Times with NPR’s media correspondent, David Folkenflik.

David shares an insight into NPR’s future amid funding cuts, and talks about the importance of local journalism and publicly-owned media.

Plus, the trio discuss the shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.

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As Donald Trump visits the UK, Alan and Lionel consider: if you were given one question to ask at Thursday’s press conference, what would it be?

The editors are asked about the media coverage of Saturday’s far right march, led by Tommy Robinson.

And following new revelations of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein—and his subsequent removal as US ambassador—what part did the media play in taking him down?

They also discuss the challenges faced by traditional newspapers in the digital age, and what the potential sale of a 20 per cent stake could mean for the Economist.

Plus, Lionel reveals one of the most humiliating moments in his journalistic career...

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This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by journalist and researcher Ayala Panievsky to talk about her most recent book The New Censorship: How the War on Media is Taking Us Down.

Ayala, whose research focuses on populism and democratic backsliding, explains the biggest threats to journalism today—and how reporters are fighting censorship all across the world. 

She explores media censorship in Israel, social media, and how politicians influence news coverage. Plus, how can journalists maintain independence and credibility in fraught times?

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After a gruelling few years and a bitter legal battle, Rupert Murdoch’s heir has been chosen.

This week, Alan and Lionel discuss the conclusion to the real-life Succession, as Lachlan Murdoch looks set to take control of his father’s media empire. What will it mean for the political direction of the business?

The hosts also discuss AI company Anthropic’s $1.5bn payout to authors and publishers, after being sued for using copyrighted materials to train large language models.

Plus, in light of Angela Rayner’s resignation, they wonder whether all politicians’ financial affairs should be made public.

To hear more on the Murdoch empire from Media Confidential, listen to our episode with Jim Rutenberg here.

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Does the First Amendment have a future?

This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel talk to Greg Lukianoff, the lawyer, best-selling author and president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).

They discuss the Trump administration’s effect on free speech in the United States, and how censorship on university campuses has come from both sides of the political spectrum.

Greg also discusses the question of social media moderation, and his view on Lucy Connolly’s arrest for inciting racial hatred.

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Media Confidential is back for Season 3!

Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber take a dive into the world of media. What—and who—drives it? What do they get right... And what do they get wrong?

This week, as right-wing protests continue outside hotels housing asylum seekers, the hosts discuss the media’s role in pushing the “Broken Britain” narrative. Has the British press has been caught up in the whirlwind of Nigel Farage?

Plus, Alan and Lionel discuss the plight of journalists in Gaza, trust levels in local news and—in light of the upcoming ITV show The Hack—investigative journalist Nick Davies’s surprising updates to his book Hack Attack.

To read more on the phone hacking scandal from Prospect, click here.

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You’ve been listening to the Prospect Podcast, Media Confidential’s sister podcast. To subscribe on Spotify, click HERE.  

For Apple podcasts, click HERE. 

Has Trump's America become an autocracy?

While Media Confidential is on a short break, we’re bringing you the best of our sister podcast, the Prospect Podcast. Back in April, Ellen and Alona were joined by scholar of authoritarianism, Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Ruth analyses the Trump administration’s rapid shift towards authoritarianism. She talks about Trump’s personality cult, how strongmen portray machismo and the potential for a female strongman figure.

She also discusses how autocrats use corruption, violence and propaganda to stay in power, and how ICE roundups echo the past, resembling a “secret police force”. Ruth answers: can the Democrats can learn anything from Trump? What’s the best way to challenge an illiberal president? And how does this end?

Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss their bookshelves for this week's “banger or dud”.

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