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Media Confidential

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes219Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Latest Episodes

Should a politician be allowed to present the BBC’s Today Programme? Former Ofcom chair Michael Grade thinks so.

This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel pick apart Grade’s recent interview, where he claimed that mainstream broadcasters are ... more

Who do media organisations go to when they get sued? 

In today’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel talk to Gavin Millar KC, an expert in media law. 

The three talk about SLAPPs, strategic lawsuits increasingly used by the powerful to silence jour... more

On this week’s Media Confidential Alan and Lionel talk to Peter Geoghegan, journalist, broadcaster and founder of Democracy for Sale.

The three discuss the problem of SLAPPs, lawsuits used by the wealthy to silence and intimidate critics. They talk ... more

In this week’s Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss the changing winds at Ofcom, after its prospective new chair was scrutinised by a select committee. How much was Ian Cheshire briefed beforehand? And will he do anything to tackle GB News?

T... more

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Recent Guests

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
Dominic Ponsford
Veteran editor of Press Gazette
Press Gazette
Episode: Press Gazette and the end of ‘Barbara Santini’
Sidney Blumenthal
Author, intellectual, advisor to the Clintons over many years
Consultant/Writer
Episode: Sidney Blumenthal: ‘There’s about to be a real, severe change in American politics’
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’

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 211 ratings
  • Independent thinking journalism

    Great to hear people with principles talking about real facts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nrthnrth
    United Kingdom3 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom7 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 Kingdom9 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
#61
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#141
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#180
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#86
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#108
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#150
Brazil/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Investigative journalist Gabriel Pogrund: ‘Go after big targets because they deserve to be pursued, not because you want to take them down’
Q: How do you handle libel, privacy, and other legal challenges while reporting?
They rely on the Defamation Act's public interest defence, strict verification, and a strong emphasis on safeguarding sources and notes, while recognizing the evolving legal landscape and the risks of privacy and arbitration challenges.
Investigative journalist Gabriel Pogrund: ‘Go after big targets because they deserve to be pursued, not because you want to take them down’
Q: What is the secret to the Insight Team's success in scoops?
Gabriel explains that there isn't a simple formula; success comes from time, latitude to pursue big stories, and presenting them in a way that resonates and stands up to scrutiny, rather than chasing novelty.
Killing with impunity: the death of Amal Khalil in Lebanon
Q: What can the international community do to support journalists under threat and against state narratives?
Support colleagues in the field, amplify their voices, push back against biased coverage, and demand accountability from states and media organizations to counter systemic impunity.
Killing with impunity: the death of Amal Khalil in Lebanon
Q: Why is it so difficult to determine who is a journalist in conflict zones, and how does that affect accountability?
The definition of who counts as a journalist can be contested, which allows states to downplay responsibility by claiming those killed were not journalists; however, international bodies generally recognize journalists as protected persons under international law, though enforcement remains weak.
Killing with impunity: the death of Amal Khalil in Lebanon
Q: Can you tell us the manner in which Amal Khalil died and whether there is any doubt she was targeted?
Amal was in a convoy in southern Lebanon; after an initial strike on the lead vehicle, she and a colleague took shelter in a building which was then hit, and Amal was killed. There is substantial evidence and testimony suggesting it was targeted, including prior threats she received.

Audience Metrics

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

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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. The Politics Show
3. The Two Matts
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 219 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. Gavin Millar
2. Peter Geoghegan
3. Gabriel Pogrund
4. Liam Byrne
5. Yara Hawari
6. Dominic Ponsford
7. Sidney Blumenthal
8. Rainey Reitman

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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