When It Hits the Fan

Why the Macrons are willing to bare all


Listen Later

We are living in troubling times when Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, feel they have to go to court to prove she is a woman. The couple's lawyer says 'a line has been crossed' by an online influencer who has repeatedly claimed Mrs Macron is a man.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the 'fight for truth'. Famous people and businesses used to be able to ignore or not comment on stories that were clearly untrue. But in the disinformation age, lies gain traction - and stick - faster than ever. So what are the PR challenges and risks of taking a stand when people have already made up their minds?

And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at arguably the toughest PR job in the country - the Archbishop of Canterbury. An announcement on who'll take up the position is expected in the next few weeks - and they face a huge challenge. They'll have a guaranteed platform, but what's the message? At a time when church leaders have written an open letter criticising the 'misuse' of Christian symbols during a march organised by the Far Right, is being controversial unavoidable?

Also, who's up and who's down? Yes, it's league table PR. As Oxford and Cambridge slip down the list of best universities, what dark arts are at play in similar lists? Can they be manipulated - and what are the real reputational risks of falling down the rankings?

Producer: Duncan Middleton

Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

When It Hits the FanBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4

4

22 ratings


More shows like When It Hits the Fan

View all
Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast by Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

347 Listeners

The Media Show by BBC Radio 4

The Media Show

33 Listeners

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson by BBC Radio 4

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

101 Listeners

Newscast by BBC News

Newscast

652 Listeners

Full Disclosure with James O'Brien by Global

Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

285 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

752 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics

3,103 Listeners

The News Agents by Global

The News Agents

1,032 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics: Leading by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics: Leading

829 Listeners

The News Agents - USA by Global

The News Agents - USA

382 Listeners

The Rest Is Entertainment by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Entertainment

961 Listeners

Electoral Dysfunction by Sky News

Electoral Dysfunction

99 Listeners

How To Win An Election by Times Radio

How To Win An Election

25 Listeners

Radical with Amol Rajan by BBC Radio 4

Radical with Amol Rajan

41 Listeners

Strong Message Here by BBC Radio 4

Strong Message Here

63 Listeners