In this episode of Lunch with Jamie, veteran journalist Stephen Sackur joins Jamie to reflect on nearly 20 years of HARDtalk, why the BBC shut it down, and what its end says about the state of truth, journalism, and democracy today.

From grilling presidents and dictators, to navigating the collapse of shared facts in our politics, Sackur shares what he’s learned about power, free speech, and the future of investigative reporting. Known for his rigorous but empathetic style, Sackur pulls back the curtain on why journalism is struggling to survive — and why our democracies may not survive without it.

This conversation dives deep into the decline of fact-based reporting, the dangers of misinformation, and the question at the heart of our time: can truth still win?

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the BBC cancelled HARDtalk after nearly 20 years

• How Stephen Sackur became one of the world’s toughest interviewers

• Why journalism is in crisis across the globe

• The connection between misinformation, polarization, and democracy’s decline

• Why free speech — even speech you hate — still matters

• Sackur’s next project: a book on the rise and fall of investigative journalism

If you care about truth, journalism, and the future of democracy, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Subscribe to Jamie’s List for behind-the-scenes access and live audience Q&A - https://www.jamieslist.com/membership?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Description&utm_campaign=Stephen_Sackur_AO