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Media Confidential

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

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 weeklyEpisodes230Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Media Confidential

Latest Episodes

In this week’s episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel are joined by presenter and commentator Iain Dale.

As he releases a new memoir, the three discuss his life in broadcasting and a brief stint of political ambition, as well as his ideologi... more

In today’s Media Confidential, Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber discuss Nigel Farage’s resignation in Clacton, triggering a by-election in which he will stand. They discuss Farage’s attacks on the press, including on a Sky News reporter. Did reporti... more

In today’s episode Lachlan Cartwright, the founder of Breaker Media, joins Alan and Lionel to discuss why he went solo and launched the outlet after two decades in journalism.

They ask how he treads the line between privacy and public interest when ... more

In today’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss Donald Trump’s court case against the BBC. As the broadcaster requests the president’s phone records from January 6th, some commentators think it should settle with the president. Do our hosts ag... more

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Recent Guests

Iain Dale
Radio broadcaster, journalist, commentator on LBC
LBC
Episode: Iain Dale: I'm a Conservative but I don't do propaganda (unlike GB News)
Lachlan Cartwright
Founder of Breaker, muckraking journalist
Breaker
Episode: Lachlan Cartwright: ‘American media became a propaganda arm to get Trump elected’
Beeban Kidron
polymath, writer, filmmaker, activist, politician
Author of Users, What Big Tech Don't Want You to Know
Episode: Beeban Kidron: What the Online Safety Act gets right (and wrong)
David Fulton-Flick
Correspondent from National Public Radio
National Public Radio
Episode: Henry Nowak and how the media fuels racism
Gavin Millar
King's Counsel, leading defamation media lawyer in Britain
King's Counsel
Episode: Why are Britain’s politicians so weak on freedom of speech?
Peter Geoghegan
Journalist and researcher on anti-SLAP and dark money
Open Democracy, Democracy for Sale (substack)
Episode: Peter Geoghegan on getting SLAPP’d: ‘It had a huge chilling effect’
Gabriel Pogrund
Investigative journalist, leader of The Insight Team at Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
Episode: Investigative journalist Gabriel Pogrund: ‘Go after big targets because they deserve to be pursued, not because you want to take them down’
Liam Byrne
Former Labour Minister and MP
Labour Party
Episode: Liam Byrne: What happens when populists win?
Yara Hawari
Co-director of Al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network
Al-Shabaka
Episode: Killing with impunity: the death of Amal Khalil in Lebanon

Hosts

Alan Rusbridger
Host of Media Confidential; former Guardian editor; affiliated with Prospect Magazine
Lionel Barber
Co-host of Media Confidential; former editor of the Financial Times; affiliated with Prospect Magazine

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 210 ratings
  • Independent thinking journalism

    Great to hear people with principles talking about real facts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nrthnrth
    United Kingdom4 months 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 Kingdom4 months 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom9 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 Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

A thoughtful antidote to more personality-driven podcasts, though audio quality can vary.
Thoughtful, intelligent analysis of media and current affairs.
High-caliber guests and insider insight, with rigorous reporting.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#55
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#129
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#199
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#86
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#106
Switzerland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#107
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lachlan Cartwright: ‘American media became a propaganda arm to get Trump elected’
Q: Lachlan, listeners may have noticed that you have an Australian accent. So I have to ask you about the Murdochs.
Cartwright reflects on his experiences with Rupert Murdoch and the broader Australian media landscape, including the future of assets like the Wall Street Journal.
Lachlan Cartwright: ‘American media became a propaganda arm to get Trump elected’
Q: How does this compare with today, Lachlan? How is Trump too affecting the media?
Cartwright discusses litigation, payoffs, consolidation, and the chilling effect of high-profile lawsuits on journalism, as well as ongoing shifts under billionaire ownership.
Lachlan Cartwright: ‘American media became a propaganda arm to get Trump elected’
Q: Lachlan, it's time to talk about one of your toughest stories, which involved your former employee at The National Enquirer, which is a fairly salacious magazine.
Lachlan describes the Enquirer's approach to sourcing, the politics around Harvey Weinstein and Trump, and the ethical lines they navigated, including payoffs and the decision-making behind not publishing certain stories.
Iain Dale: I'm a Conservative but I don't do propaganda (unlike GB News)
Q: How do you approach interviewing powerful figures who are skilled at soundbites?
I try to start with open, human-centered questions and gradually coax out more substantive insights, keeping the tone conversational rather than confrontational to avoid turning interviews into mere exchanges of party lines.
Iain Dale: I'm a Conservative but I don't do propaganda (unlike GB News)
Q: What's your take on the shift to long-form podcasting versus short-form radio clips?
Podcasts allow deeper conversations and longer engagements, which I favor, even though the industry emphasizes clip-ready segments; this format helps reveal more nuanced views.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Media Confidential

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

Two veteran editors dissect media, politics, and the business of news with rigorous, long-form conversations and sharp, insider knowledge. Episodes regularly cover investigative reporting, media regulation, ownership, funding, and the evolving relationship between public broadcasters, tech, and politics. Notable strengths include high-profile interviews, thoughtful industry critique, and a calm, fact-driven vibe that prioritizes context over hot takes. A common thread across episodes is how power, money, and policy shape what gets reported and how media outlets operate, making it a strong fit for listeners who want deep understanding of media ecosystems and current affairs. A notable hook is the blend of historic newsroom legacies with forw... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Media Confidential?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Media Confidential:

1. The Media Show
2. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
3. The Rest Is Politics
4. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
5. The News Agents

How many episodes of Media Confidential are there?

Media Confidential launched 3 years ago and published 230 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. Iain Dale
2. Lachlan Cartwright
3. Beeban Kidron
4. David Fulton-Flick
5. Gavin Millar
6. Peter Geoghegan
7. Gabriel Pogrund
8. Liam Byrne

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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