The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

Nick Cohen
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Get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen as he investigates a world that seems to get ever more crazy, with leading commentators, columnists and politicians. Each week, leading commentator Nick Cohen talks to the country's leading movers and shakers - to cut the through much of the noise and commentary that passes for so much political discourse these days. Nick - a long-term columnist for The Observer and The Spectator - teams up with other commentators, journalists, authors and politicians to make sense of our ever stranger and troubling world. Nick aims to help keep you sane! So please get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen and subscribe to his Substack column - Writing from London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4 hr ago

    The Right's attack on free speech

    The Right has power & money to destroy our world Nick Cohen talks to academic Emma L.Briant about a neglected threat: right-wing attacks on free speech. While acknowledging that left-wing censoriousness has damaged liberal politics, he argues that conservatives who claimed to defend open debate are now adopting authoritarian methods. The central example is the Trump administration’s attempt, through Marco Rubio and the State Department, to revoke or threaten visas and immigration status for foreign researchers who study misinformation, disinformation, platform harms, and technology policy. Emma L Briant explains that the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, of which she is a member, advocates for independent access to platform data so researchers can assess harms without depending on tech companies’ permission. Emma argues that the real target is not “censorship” but transparency. Researchers, she says, are being punished for measuring and exposing uncomfortable facts about social-media platforms, algorithmic harms, propaganda, and failures of accountability. Tech companies and their political allies frame this research as censorship because governments may use it to inform regulation, but Emma stresses that researchers do not make policy: they analyse evidence. She connects this to a wider alliance between the political Right and powerful technology executives, especially in the United States, who oppose European-style regulation such as the Digital Services Act because it threatens their control over data, platform design, verification systems, and public scrutiny. The interview broadens into a critique of oligarchic power over media and democracy. Briant and Cohen discuss wealthy figures and tech elites using immense resources to shape politics, weaken regulation, influence media institutions, and promote far-right agendas. Emma warns that extreme wealth creates unprecedented political power and a sense of entitlement among billionaire and trillionaire elites, whose interests are increasingly aligned with authoritarian right-wing politics. Her proposed response is tougher, more targeted accountability: not merely media literacy or content moderation, but laws and enforcement aimed at the actors behind disinformation, whether states, platforms, PR firms, or political funders. Read all about it! Dr Emma L. Briant is a leading expert on misinformation and propaganda and a published author. She is Visiting Associate Professor (Research) at University of Notre Dame. She is a Fellow in the Human Rights Program at Bard College, an Associate at the Center for Financial Reporting and Accountability, University of Cambridge and a Fellow of the Media and Journalism Research Centre Previously she held faculty positions. Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 2 days ago

    The Rising intolerance of the Right

    THE RIGHT & THE RISE OF INTOLERANCE Nick talks about the the rise of intolerance and the suppression of debate, highlighting how both right and left-wing political movements are moving toward authoritarianism by excluding individuals who disagree with core policies. He gives specific examples including Kemi Badenoch's statements that Conservative candidates must accept Net Zero targets and European Convention on Human Rights, and Amnesty International's controversial report targeting organisations that disagree with gender ideology. Nick argues that while these movements claim to be protecting their respective ideologies, they are actually demonstrating intellectual decline by using fear and exclusion rather than debate to win arguments, and suggested that the public will ultimately reject such authoritarian approaches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. 13 Jul

    Follow the Farage money!

    FARAGE'S CRYPTO-BUNG WOES ARE MOUNTING & RIGHTLY SO! In his latest "The Lowdown" podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Peter Geoghegan, author of "Democracy for Sale," about the corruption allegations surrounding Nigel Farage and the Reform Party. Their chat centres on Farage receiving a £5 million personal donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harbourne and being funded by convicted fraudster George Cottrell, with money potentially being funnelled through Richard Tice's companies. Peter explains how Farage's policies on cryptocurrency align with his donors' interests, noting that Reform Party has concrete policies on crypto deregulation despite having few other defined positions. The conversation explored how Farage's claims about being tough on crime contrast with his support from a crypto industry used by criminals, and discussed the lack of political opposition from Labour in highlighting these corruption issues. Read all about it Peter Geoghegan's must read Substack is Democracy for Sale & his best selling book Democracy for Sale: Dark Money and Dirty Politics  is published by W.F.Howes Ltd. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. 9 Jul

    The crypto bung by-election

    THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA MUST NOT FALL FOR NIGEL FARAGE'S LATEST RUSE Nick Cohen addresses the mainstream media's missed aspect of the story regarding Nigel Farage's links to the crypto industry. He highlights that Farage received £5 million from British Thai crypto billionaire Christopher Harbourn without declaring this donation, and that his convicted fraud pal, George Cottrell ,provided gifts in kind for Farage's political operations. Nick slams Farage's claim to be tough on crime while simultaneously lobbying against a digital pound and supporting the crypto industry, noting that crypto serves as a tool for criminals and state actors due to its untraceable nature. He emphasises that journalists and politicians should challenge Farage on this contradiction by asking why someone claiming to be tough on crime would be soft on crypto. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. 6 Jul

    Londonov - A class act no more

    "LONDONOV!" HOW THE SLOANE RANGERS WHORED THEMSELVES OUT TO DODGY OLIGARCHS & SHEIKHS In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Peter York, the legendary social commentator who co-wrote the influential "Sloane Ranger's Handbook" in the 1980s about the English upper class in London. Peter discusses how London has transformed from an English-dominated city to a global centre for wealthy international elites, with properties like the One Hyde Park development being owned primarily by Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern investors, and other foreign billionaires rather than British residents. They examined how American and Russian influence has disrupted traditional national identities, with Peter citing examples like Elon Musk's deliberately inflammatory statements and the US government's official security strategy calling for regime change in favor of European far-right parties. Peter and Nick explore how the English ruling class has been replaced by international plutocrats, with British citizens now often serving as "butlers to the world" in various service industries, while political figures like Nigel Farage receive funding from wealthy developers like the Candy Brothers who build luxury properties for international clients. Peter reflects on his own political awakening and expressed concern about Britain's future choices between aligning with America, Europe, or other global powers, emphasising the need for truth-telling about the current state of international relations. Read all about it! Peter York @PeterPeteryork The legendary journalist, author, style guru & social commentator. Author: Sloane Ranger Handbook, Dictators Homes, Style Wars, The War Against the BBC, Dead Cat on Your Table Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. 29 Jun

    The lost Brexit decade

    The tide has turned on Brexit - the "Brexiteers" have only the dead to rally In his latest Lowdown" podcast, Nick Cohen discusses the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum with Mark Leonard, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, and the significant changes in global politics over the past 10 years since 2016 that make Brexit an even worse decision than it was a decade ago. They both examine how Europe has moved from a "Kantian" rule-based system to an "unorder" world where international rules no longer have standing, using the Iran conflict as an example of how military actions are now conducted without regard for international law. They discuss Brexit's impact on Britain's position in the world, with Mark Leonard presenting polling data showing that 58% of Leave voters believe Brexit has been bad for border management and that 75% of Britons want closer EU relations. They discuss how Germany has transformed its energy system and defence posture in response to global challenges, while Britain struggles with infrastructure projects and defence capabilities. Mark explains that British public opinion has shifted from the 2016 Brexit divide to three new groups: "loners" (27% who want to stay out of Europe), "optimists" (30% who would vote to rejoin), and "realists" (35% favouring closer cooperation), with younger demographics being more pro-European. They conclude with optimism about potential future shifts in British politics toward re-engagement with Europe, particularly if Labour adopts a more pro-European stance. Read all about it! @markhleonard Co-Founder & director, @ecfr, bestselling author, latest book THE AGE OF UNPEACE, keynote speaker & weekly podcast host http:// apple.co/2ACObcj Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. 22 Jun

    Keir Starmer resigns

    Keir Starmer resigns - can Andy Burnham save the country from the disaster of a Reform government? Nick Cohen talks about Keir Starmer's resignation as Britain's sixth Prime Minister in ten years, reflecting on the implications for the country and the wider West. Nick explores concerns about Britain's political stability, comparing the situation to historical examples of governments collapsing, and talks about how nationalist parties are gaining power across the UK. Nick defends Starmer's leadership, highlighting his handling of Trump's presidency and his efforts on Ukraine, while acknowledging his political shortcomings. Nick expresses optimism about Andy Burnham becoming the next Prime Minister and emphasises the need for the centre-left to unite to counter the growing influence of the radical right, led by figures like Farage who has successfully split the right-wing vote. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. 22 Jun

    A World Cup in the age of Trump

    The World Cup - the goals, the corruption and the colonialism! In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Professor Stefan Szymanski, Professor of the Economics of Sports at Michigan University, about the World Cup and the evolution of global football. They explore how the tournament has shifted from being hosted by nation-states to being controlled by oligarchical interests, with Stefan explaining how FIFA's corruption stems from colonialism's legacy and the post-colonial power struggle within the organisation. The conversation covered dramatic price increases in World Cup tickets from 1994 to the present, with final match tickets rising from $475 (inflation-adjusted) to $10,000 calculated for this year's final! Stefan argues the problem isn't the high prices themselves but where the money is being directed. They discuss the tension between FIFA and UEFA, the flow of talent from developing to developed nations, and the political challenges facing future World Cup hosts including the current tournament in the United States and Canada. The interview concludes with a discussion about whether the World Cup could eventually unravel due to political tensions and boycotts, similar to what happened with the Olympics. Read all about it! Stefan Szymanski @sszy is Professor of the Economics of Sports at Michigan University, a leading sports historian, academic and podcaster - author of Crickonomics: The Anatomy of Modern Cricket, which was Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023. Stefan is co-host of the Soccernomics podcast, alongside hosted by renowned football author Simon Kuper and Ashish Malhotra.  Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

Get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen as he investigates a world that seems to get ever more crazy, with leading commentators, columnists and politicians. Each week, leading commentator Nick Cohen talks to the country's leading movers and shakers - to cut the through much of the noise and commentary that passes for so much political discourse these days. Nick - a long-term columnist for The Observer and The Spectator - teams up with other commentators, journalists, authors and politicians to make sense of our ever stranger and troubling world. Nick aims to help keep you sane! So please get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen and subscribe to his Substack column - Writing from London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Cohen
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Lowdown from Nick Cohen
  • Show Website
    The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

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