Media Masters

Guy Parker, Chief Executive at the Advertising Standards Authority, and writer Neil Mullarkey, founding member of the Comedy Store Players, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This edition: will the BBC push local papers out of business as it expands regional coverage? Do advertising laws need to be updated for the digital age? And how much should news organisations show of graphic terrorism videos?

Andria Vidler has been at the helm of a number of iconic media companies, including Capital FM, Magic and EMI Music; and oversaw the launches of BBC 5 Live, BBC News Online and BBC Sport. Now CEO of Centaur Media, she reveals the behind-the-scenes challenges of launching and re-launching hallmark brands, and shares her tips for success.

Cristina Nicolotti Squires, Editor at Channel 5 News, and Robert Cookson, Digital Media Correspondent at the Financial Times, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This episode: why did it take so long for The Economist to appoint its first female editor? Is Netflix too ambitious, and what will the wider impact be of their expansion plans? And why did The Sun appear to 'axe' Page 3, only for it to return two days later?

Long-time Media Correspondent at the FT, Raymond Snoddy has built up a reputation as one of the UK's most respected media reporters and commentators. Well-known as the launch presenter of BBC's NewsWatch, Ray reveals what it was like to work at the broadcaster in light of the Hutton Inquiry, explains how he got the scoop on many explosive stories, and tells us about the time he flew on Concorde to interview Rupert Murdoch.

Claire Fox, Director of the Institute of Ideas, and journalist Alex Matchett of Spear's Magazine join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This episode: what long-term impact will the Charlie Hebdo attack have on the media? Should PRs and journalists work more openly together? And is David Cameron right to pull out of the General Election debates if the Green Party can't take part?

An award-winning broadcaster, Professor Jim Al-Khalili has presented some of TV and radio's most successful documentaries, including 'The Life Scientific' and 'Atom'. A leading physicist, academic and author of a number of bestselling popular science books, Jim explains how he balances his academic and broadcasting work, reveals what goes into making a popular documentary, and risks some predictions about the future of science reporting in Britain.

Mark Watts, Editor-in-Chief at Exaro, and Alex Chandler, Editor of ITV News Election 2015, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This edition: what are we to make of Alan Rusbridger's tenure at The Guardian? Why did the so-called 'VIP paedophile ring' allegations go unreported for so long? And what was the biggest media story of 2014?

As General Secretary at the Labour Party, Peter Watt oversaw the party's transition from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown. Resigning at the height of the Donorgate affair in 2007, he published his no-holds-barred memoir and exposé 'Inside Out' soon after, which cast an unforgiving light on Brown's leadership style and caused a media furore. Now Director of Child Protection at the NSPCC, Peter explains how he 'managed' the press at the top of the Labour Party and talks about the NSPCC's campaigning role in the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Jasper Jackson, Editor at TheMediaBriefing.com, and Katie Glass, columnist and features writer at The Sunday Times, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This edition: should Channel 4 have aired 'The Paedophile Next Door'? How can UK local television stem the decline in viewing figures? And will Scotland's first pro-independence daily paper succeed in the long term?

David Cohen is Campaigns Editor and Chief Feature Writer at the London Evening Standard. He has led some of the paper's most memorable campaigns, and won the Paul Foot award in 2013 for 'Frontline London' which helped former gang members start social enterprises. David gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life at the 'Standard', shares the ingredients for writing the perfect campaign story, and reveals the challenges and rewards of working with the city's most disenfranchised people.