Media Confidential

On this week’s Media Confidential interview, New Yorker columnist Susan Glasser joins Alan and Lionel to discuss how reporters should deal with President Trump.

The three discuss how to hold power to account when the president’s communications are so vast, from phone interviews to social media posts. They also talk about the risks of US media “sanewashing” Trump and normalising a distorted new reality.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Susan, Alan and Lionel muse on the dangers of a president wielding largely unchecked power—and consider how his next decisions will affect the world.
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Alan and Lionel discuss the Observer after investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr, the paper’s former features writer, suggests that some of its new funders may not be who they seem.

And as Scott Bessent, US secretary to the Treasury, takes aim at the Financial Times—claiming that a story about him was “manufactured”—former FT editor Lionel gives a considered reply.

The editors also examine the selection process for the new head of Ofcom. What’s taking so long?

And they discuss the BBC’s sacking of Scott Mills, following new information about abuse allegations.
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In this week’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by former Washington Post media reporter Paul Farhi.

The three discuss the Post’s editor-in-chief Will Lewis, following his resignation in February. They discuss how Lewis got the role, his tenure and his abrupt exit, days after overseeing mass layoffs.

They also talk about key decisions made by Post owner Jeff Bezos and how they led to the loss of more than 250,000 subscribers. Is there any hope for the publication?
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In this episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel react to the news that Matt Brittin has been confirmed as the new director-general of the BBC. They discuss his suitability for the role and make their predictions. What will his first moves be?

Following Alan’s recent investigation into GB News, the duo ask if the electoral commission should be paying attention to the channel for its coverage of Reform UK.

Alan also shares what he learned from speaking to Ben Habib and Rupert Lowe, who confirm that their guest invitations to GB News dried up after defecting from Nigel Farage’s party.

Plus, a year Observer’s sale to Tortoise Media, the hosts also discuss the paper’s offer of voluntary redundancy to its entire workforce.

To read Alan’s column on GB News and Ofcom, click here or head to prospectmagazine.co.uk.
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In today’s episode of Media Confidential Alan and Lionel are joined by Chris Banatvala. Chris was Ofcom’s founding director of standards and executive member of the content board.

The three discuss Ofcom’s approach to GB News after Alan headed an investigation into the broadcaster and ask if the regulator is turning a blind eye to the channel’s content.

They also discuss the evolution of Ofcom’s investigation and complaint handling over recent years and question if there is a two-tier impartiality system for public broadcasters like the BBC and commercial channels like GB News.
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