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Media Confidential

Prospect Magazine
Gaza Conflict
Right-Wing Media
Israel-Palestine
The New York Times
Data Journalism
GB News
Election Dynamics
Conservative Party
Gaza
Pulitzer Prize
Phone Hacking Scandal
Hamas
Rishi Sunak
Israel
Ofcom
Media Coverage
BBC Funding
Corporate Espionage
War
Local Journalism

You’ve been listening to the Prospect Podcast, Media Confidential’s sister podcast. To subscribe on Spotify, click HERE.

For Apple podcasts, click HERE.

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... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes150Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Latest Episodes

Alan and Lionel are joined by special guest Lisa Nandy, secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport.

Lisa responds to Elon Musk’s allegations that free speech is being muzzled in Britain.

The editors also challenge her on the government refusi... more

How have Trump’s defamation lawsuits affected press freedom?

Alan and Lionel discuss Donald Trump’s $15bn lawsuit against the New York Times with NPR’s media correspondent, David Folkenflik.

David shares an insight into NPR’s future amid funding c... more

As Donald Trump visits the UK, Alan and Lionel consider: if you were given one question to ask at Thursday’s press conference, what would it be?

The editors are asked about the media coverage of Saturday’s far right march, led by Tommy Robinson.

A... more

This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by journalist and researcher Ayala Panievsky to talk about her most recent book The New Censorship: How the War on Media is Taking Us Down.

Ayala, whose research focuses on populism and democratic backsliding, e... more

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Recent Guests

Ayala Panievsky
Author of The New Censorship and researcher at City University.
Episode: Does the news need gatekeeping?
Greg Lukianoff
President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, attorney, and best-selling author
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)
Episode: Greg Lukianoff: ‘Bring back freedom of speech’
Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, writes about authoritarianism and propaganda
New York University
Episode: Trump’s 100 days, with Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Ethan Zuckerman
Associate professor of public policy, information and communication at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and veteran of the early dot-com industry.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Episode: Ethan Zuckerman: How to escape the internet hellscape
Slavoj Žižek
Philosopher and public intellectual
Episode: Slavoj Žižek: ‘Elon Musk lives like a communist’
Sönke Iwersen
Co-author of The Tesla Files
Handelsblatt
Episode: Tesla exposed: how a whistleblower lifted the lid on Elon Musk
Tom McTague
New editor of the New Statesman
New Statesman
Episode: Tom McTague: ‘This country’s problems run deeper than Starmer thinks’
Sophia Smith Galer
Journalist, author, and founder of digital agency, Viralect.
Viralect
Episode: Sophia Smith Galer: How to make the truth go viral
Lina Vaaben
Existential Editor at Politiken, covering human stories about life, death, and the human experience.
Politiken
Episode: Only in Denmark? Meet the ‘existential editor’ covering life, death, love and everything in between

Hosts

Alan Rusbridger
Host of Media Confidential, Editor of Prospect and former editor of the Guardian, bringing extensive experience in journalism.
Lionel Barber
Co-Host of Media Confidential and former editor of the Financial Times, he explores the media landscape meticulously.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 186 ratings
  • Fantastic pod

    A highly enjoyable and illuminating podcast from two masters of journalism - an excellent listen and now on my don’t miss list

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Csel1234
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Colonialist Fact Check

    On the John Sawers episode - fyi there are plenty of Asian migrants in Russia and plenty of Africans & Asians wanting to or migrated to China. Have you been to either place? Obviously those countries have tighter immigration policies but don’t kid yourself that everyone wants to move to US or Europe.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sharron Lovell
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Audio

    I’m listening to Lionel Barber praise the easier access to audio equipment and wonder why the quality of his recording is more uneven than Alan’s.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scrabble made worse
    United States6 months ago
  • Superb normally but not this one

    The real and terrifying (for women) gender apartheid in Afghanistan really understated and basically treated very lightly. It was so disappointing to hear a patriarchy whitewash from this podcast. “Women are more resilient “ the guest from Afghanistan said. Only one question about women asked. Just consider how this would play if the Afghan govt was treating men the way they treat women. Women are not allowed to speak outside the home!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dangerous EE
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • So helpful

    The episode on assisted dying was so helpful in illuminating all the key points in the debate. The debate was, as expected, so well facilitated and the participants, perhaps unsurprisingly given who they are, put forward both their points and their challenges entirely without rancour. A model of its kind. Thank you so much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PineGroveCharlie
    United Kingdom9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critiques mention occasional biases and a preference for narrower perspectives, highlighting concerns over representation in discussions.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and intelligent analysis provided by seasoned media professionals.
The content is often praised for being thought-provoking and relevant to contemporary issues in media and politics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#89
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#223
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#116
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#123
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#128
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#145
Singapore/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What would you ask Donald Trump?
Q: If Alan or Lionel were at the press conference with Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, what question would they ask?
They would ask about the implications of Trump and Starmer's relationships with Jeffrey Epstein.
The Murdoch succession: Lachlan gets the power; his siblings get rich(er)
Q: Do you think there's an element of two-tier reporting here?
Yes, it seems that some politicians receive more scrutiny than others, indicating differing standards in coverage.
The Murdoch succession: Lachlan gets the power; his siblings get rich(er)
Q: Do Lionel and Alan think that all politicians' financial affairs should be public knowledge?
Yes, they believe that financial affairs of politicians in ministerial positions should be public, particularly if they have made statements on tax avoidance or evasion.
Greg Lukianoff: ‘Bring back freedom of speech’
Q: What would you change in the curriculum so that by the time students arrive at universities, they have a better understanding of the history of and value of free speech?
Lukianoff suggests that experiential learning, like debating opposing views, and better civics education could enhance understanding of free speech.
Greg Lukianoff: ‘Bring back freedom of speech’
Q: Where would you draw the line between harassment and harm? How do you define that?
Lukianoff states he calls himself an opinion absolutist, advocating for the right to express one's opinion while recognizing the legal definitions of harassment.

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?

A compelling exploration of the media landscape, featuring high-profile interviews and in-depth discussions led by two distinguished former editors. The dialogue frequently navigates critical topics such as free speech, media ethics, political influence, and the shifting dynamics within journalism. With a unique blend of expertise, the hosts unpack contemporary issues, scrutinizing how narratives are constructed and the accountability of journalists and media organizations. Engaging with diverse voices from across the spectrum, the content challenges listeners to critically assess the role of media in society, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the interplay between journalism and current affairs.

Where can I find podcast stats for Media Confidential?

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How many listeners does Media Confidential get?

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What are the audience demographics for Media Confidential?

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How many subscribers and views does Media Confidential have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Media Confidential has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Media Confidential?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Media Confidential:

1. The Media Show
2. The News Agents
3. The Two Matts
4. The New Statesman: politics and culture
5. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

How many episodes of Media Confidential are there?

Media Confidential launched 2 years ago and published 150 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Media Confidential?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Media Confidential?

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What guests have appeared on Media Confidential?

Recent guests on Media Confidential include:

1. Ayala Panievsky
2. Greg Lukianoff
3. Ruth Ben-Ghiat
4. Ethan Zuckerman
5. Slavoj Žižek
6. Sönke Iwersen
7. Tom McTague
8. Sophia Smith Galer

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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