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Media Confidential

Prospect Magazine
Donald Trump
BBC
Journalism
Gaza
Social Media
Elon Musk
Washington Post
Media Coverage
Artificial Intelligence
GB News
Financial Times
Prospect Magazine
Rupert Murdoch
Phone Hacking Scandal
Democracy
Press Freedom
Ofcom
Investigative Journalism
Jeff Bezos
Misinformation

Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber—two of the world’s greatest editors—dive into the hugely important world of media. What—and who—drives it? What do they get right... And what do they get wrong?

Lionel, former editor of the Financial Times, and Alan, editor of Prospect and former editor of the Guardian, will bring you revealing, high profile interviews and in-depth discussion.

Media Confidential i... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes208Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Media Confidential

Latest Episodes

This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss the top story of the week—Peter Mandelson’s failed security vetting before he was appointed as ambassador to the United States.

As Keir Starmer goes toe-to-toe with the Foreign Office, the hos... more

This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by Sidney Blumenthal, journalist and former adviser to the Clintons.

As a judge throws out a $10bn claim from the president against the Wall Street Journal, the trio discuss Trump’s legal b... more

In this episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel reflect on the results of election in Hungary, and how the media coverage of Viktor Orbán’s foreign dealings and corruption allegations may have contributed to his downfall.

They'll also discuss... more

In this week’s episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by Rainey Reitman, writer and civil liberties advocate. 

She is the co-founder and president of the board of Freedom of the Press Foundation and is the author of Transaction De... more

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Recent Guests

Rainey Reitman
Writer and civil liberties advocate focused on digital rights and free expression; co-founder and chair of the board of the Freedom of the Press Foundation
Freedom of the Press Foundation
Episode: Democracy at risk: The big banks censoring free speech
Susan Glasser
Journalist, author, New Yorker contributor
The New Yorker
Episode: Susan Glasser on Trump: ‘The big, fat, naked emperor in the room’
Paul Farhi
Washington Post media reporter
The Washington Post
Episode: Does the Washington Post have a future?
Matt Brittin
BBC Director General-designate
BBC
Episode: Breaking news: the BBC’s new director-general
Chris Banatvala
Former Ofcom Director of Standards; wrote broadcasting code
Ofcom
Episode: Why isn’t Ofcom investigating GB News?
Gabriel Sherman
Journalist and author of Bonfire of the Murdochs
Author, Bonfire of the Murdochs
Episode: The Murdochs: Autopsy of a family’s slow death
George Parker
Political editor of the Financial Times
Financial Times
Episode: Is the Westminster lobby a victim of groupthink?
Ailbhe Rea
Political editor of the New Statesman
New Statesman
Episode: Is the Westminster lobby a victim of groupthink?
Clare Melford
CEO and co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index
Global Disinformation Index
Episode: ‘It’s dangerous work’: The battle against digital disinformation

Hosts

Alan Rusbridger
Host and former editor of Prospect and the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger brings extensive journalistic experience and insight into media practices and ethics.
Lionel Barber
Co-host and former editor of the Financial Times, Lionel Barber focuses on the intersections of media, politics, and public perception.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 208 ratings
  • Independent thinking journalism

    Great to hear people with principles talking about real facts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nrthnrth
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Excellent but too short

    Very interesting podcast, but once the adverts are priced in, it’s far too short to be fully engaging.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    TIEITM
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Another Statler and Waldorf Show

    In a world of too many podcasts you would have thought that someone could set the mic levels better, encourage them not to mumble and balance the intro sting music properly. That and the inexplicable number of adverts make it an ordeal even when the guests are interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Badmariner
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Succumbs to Israeli propaganda

    Excellent episode with Peter Verne. Very disappointed in Lionel who without any evidence whatsoever immediately defames Oborne as a conspiracy nutjob. This is exactly the Israeli line - he just stopped short of calling Oborne anti semitic. Shame on you Lionel. Read the book look at the evidence- if the real life reporting of the tens of thousand of deaths which are not properly reported in the mainstream media including the BBC is not obvious enough evidence for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dangerous EE
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Succumbs to Israeli propaganda

    Israelis are now trying to spread a narrative that they did not know what was being done in Gaza. This is absolutely untrue and I am so disappointed that Media Confidential joins this effort. Israelis have the same access to social media as everyone else and furthermore have absolutely and totally supported the Govt. They are going to pivot after they have slaughtered the Palestinians and stolen their land, to “oh we did not know”. Utter lies. Do not join them in their cover up.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Dangerous EE
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The discussions are often seen as thoughtful and thought-provoking, addressing key issues in media and politics.
Overall, the podcast is regarded as an essential resource for understanding the nuances of today's media landscape.
Some critiques highlight a perceived bias in coverage or the hosts' viewpoints that may not resonate with all audiences.
Listeners appreciate the high-level journalism and insights shared by experienced editors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#80
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#176
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#243
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#95
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#171
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#185
New Zealand/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Democracy at risk: The big banks censoring free speech
Q: Do you mind describing the overarching theme of the book and then we can narrow in on the ways you've discovered that a small number of finance companies can affect what we get to publish and read?
The overarching theme is financial censorship by intermediaries like PayPal, Stripe, Visa, and Mastercard, who can punish speakers publishing lawful content online, thereby shaping what gets funded and read, which in turn influences democratic participation and open discourse.
‘It’s dangerous work’: The battle against digital disinformation
Q: What is the core value proposition of your data for advertisers and platforms?
GDI provides independent data on where ads appear, enabling advertisers to choose safer, less polarizing placements and to push back against programs that monetize engagement with adversarial content; this has led to observable shifts in ad spend away from high-risk sites.
‘It’s dangerous work’: The battle against digital disinformation
Q: How did you become a target of visa bans and political scrutiny?
The guest describes a December visa denial triggered by a coordinated political campaign against researchers and funders in the disinformation field, including public statements from the US administration and a broader 'Industrial Censorship Complex' narrative that critics say aimed to defund independent research.
Susan Glasser on Trump: ‘The big, fat, naked emperor in the room’
Q: How should newsrooms handle the lying and misinformation from Trump's administration?
There should be sustained fact-checking and documentation of falsehoods, as cutting back on such efforts risks eroding historical records and democracy.
Susan Glasser on Trump: ‘The big, fat, naked emperor in the room’
Q: What are the dilemmas the media faces with access and interviews with Trump?
The guests discuss how access via unsecured lines and frequent interviews with the president change news coverage, often making it harder to distinguish genuine policy from performance and ramblings.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Media Confidential

What is Media Confidential about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The discussions center around critical media analysis, journalism ethics, and the evolution of major news outlets, often featuring high-profile interviews with influential figures in the media landscape. Topics touched upon include the challenges facing newspapers in the digital age, the integrity of media practices under corporate pressures, and the implications of misinformation in reporting. Noteworthy discussions have ranged from the controversies surrounding public figures to the responsibility of media in shaping democratic discourse, providing listeners with an informed perspective on current events and the forces that influence them. The hosts bring a wealth of experience from their backgrounds as leading editors, enhancing the dept... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Media Confidential?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Media Confidential:

1. The Prospect Podcast
2. The Media Show
3. Politics from the New Statesman
4. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
5. Political Fix

How many episodes of Media Confidential are there?

Media Confidential launched 3 years ago and published 208 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Media Confidential?

Recent guests on Media Confidential include:

1. Rainey Reitman
2. Susan Glasser
3. Paul Farhi
4. Matt Brittin
5. Chris Banatvala
6. Gabriel Sherman
7. George Parker
8. Ailbhe Rea

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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