Media Masters

Now Director of Communications at Google, Peter Barron was previously Editor of Newsnight, and Deputy Editor of Channel 4 News. Responsible for the search engine's communications in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, he explains why he left a top job in journalism to take a PR role, gives an insight into how Google will work with news companies in the future, and reveals the inside workings of the public policy function at one of the largest and most secretive technology firms in the world.

Jeremy Vine's lunchtime show on BBC Radio 2 is Europe's most-listened-to news radio programme. Known for presenting Newsnight and Panorama, he also presents Eggheads, Points of View, and is the keeper of the election night swingometer. In this intimate, extended interview, he explains how his daily radio show works behind the scenes, discusses the politics within (and of) the BBC, looks back on his career, and has candid advice for ambitious would-be presenters.

Caroline Crampton, Web Editor at the New Statesman, and Barney Guiton, News Editor at Newsweek Europe, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This episode: does the sale of the FT puts its editorial independence in jeopardy? Is journalists' perception of public opinion disproportionately influenced by social media? And what should be at the top of Laura Kuenssberg’s to-do list as she becomes the Beeb’s new Political Editor?

A journalist, writer and respected academic, Brian is perhaps best known for co-founding the campaign group Hacked Off. He reveals the behind-closed-doors discussions that took place during The Leveson Inquiry, explains why he thinks the new independent press regulator Ipso is toothless and critically biased, and outlines his plans to ensure that Leveson's recommendations are enacted in full. He also talks through his long career as a journalist, including his time as Deputy Editor of The Independent on Sunday.

Former Assistant Editor of The Times, Mary Ann Sieghart has worked across TV, radio and print, writing on politics and societal issues for many of the major newspapers and presenting Newshour on BBC World Service. Now working freelance, Mary Ann describes how she got started in journalism at the age of just 16, tells us about the time she approached Rupert Murdoch to buy The Times, and reveals how she managed the challenging transition from staff columnist to freelance journalist.

In this 62 minute interview you will hear Alastair Campbell describe what it takes to command a winning strategy, the highs and lows of his political career, and learn the inside story on being Blair's right hand man.

Key insights in this episode:

00.52 - Career beginnings

08.40 - Alastair’s first story and first headline in the Daily Mirror

14.05 - Winning political predictions: 6 rising stars from the ‘90s

15.49 - Moving over to politics full time and naming Tony Blair as the next Labour leader

19.40 - What was the one thing Gordon and Ed didn’t get that Tony did?

24.52 - Was it inevitable that Tony would become Prime Minister?

26.54 - What winning an election really feels like

31.16 - Working in Downing Street, the highs and lows

37.30 - The anxiety of big speeches

40.48 - Handling personal attacks and Twitter politics

48.49 - The kind of motivation it takes to make a winner

55.25 - Alastair’s working week

Ian Brimacombe, Editor of BBC World Update, and journalist Kunal Dutta who writes for Channel 4 and The Independent joins Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This episode: when does press questioning turn into harassment? How can journalists report on terrorist attacks without spreading propaganda? And does the traditional media no longer resonate with young people?

Former Editor of The Independent, and City Editor at the Evening Standard for nearly a decade, Chris Blackhurst was promoted to Group Content Editor of the Lebedev's media group. Now a columnist, TV presenter and writer, in this candid interview he gives us some revealing insights into the start of his career as well as the rapid growth of Evgeny Lebedev's group, including the ambitious and successful launch of the i newspaper and the challenging early days of London Live.

Pete Picton, Editorial Director at Mirror Online, and Rebecca Clancy, Head of Business Breaking News at The Times, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This episode: did Kay Burley push too hard in her interview with Alton Towers' CEO? Should journalists be held personally responsible for their story page views? And can Twitter move on from its current problems?

John Humphrys has presented the Today programme on Radio 4 for more than twenty five years. Taking us through his career from leaving school at 15, joining a local paper as a cub reporter, and then his meteoric rise through the BBC - opening news bureaux in the USA and South Africa, anchoring the Nine O'Clock News, and now presenting Mastermind. John talks us through a typical day on Today, the logistics of breaking news on air, and gives advice to would-be interviewees on how to survive a 'John Humphrys interview'.