St Paul’s Cathedral Institute and the Associateship of King’s College London present the Reverend Richard Coles and Baroness Ayesha Hazarika as they discuss trust in contemporary media. This lecture brings together two figures who are very familiar with the power and influence of media to explore how the media earns trust, how it loses it, and what is at stake when it fails. Drawing on their experience across broadcasting, politics, and public communication, they reflect on media credibility and the conditions under which public discourse can still function. The Revd Richard Coles is a writer, broadcaster, and Church of England priest. Until his retirement from parish ministry in 2022, he served as Vicar of Finedon in Northamptonshire, where he led the parish for over a decade. Alongside his ministry, Richard has had a distinguished media career, including twelve years co-presenting BBC Radio 4’s 'Saturday Live', and frequent appearances on television programmes such as 'Have I Got News for You' and 'QI'. Often described as one of Britain’s most recognisable clergy voices, he writes and speaks widely on faith, culture, and contemporary life, and is the author of numerous books, including the bestselling 'The Madness of Grief'. The Baroness Hazarika MBE (Ayesha Yousef Hazarika) is a member of the House of Lords and a prominent political commentator, writer, and former senior adviser. A member of the Labour Party, she was appointed to the Lords in March 2024. She served for over eight years as a senior political adviser in government and opposition, including as Chief of Staff to Harriet Harman, and played a key role in preparing Ed Miliband for Prime Minister’s Questions, major speeches, and televised debates. Her work also engaged closely with questions of media ethics and public trust, including Labour’s response to the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking. She is now a regular commentator across the BBC, Sky, and ITN, and writes for publications including the Financial Times, The Guardian, and New Statesman, offering sharp analysis of politics, media, and public communication. About us: St Paul’s is a Cathedral – a vibrant working church, a national treasure, a London icon. A sacred space to connect with God. A seat of Christian worship. The Church of the Diocese of London for over 1,400 years. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century, it’s a place where architecture lifts your eyes and your spirit. Where liturgy meets learning. Where discovery meets debate. And where centuries of heritage are held in the hands of today’s creators and craftspeople. It’s a home for both soaring music and silent prayer. For the deep thunder of the organ, the hush of footsteps on stone, the harmony of voices rising beneath our dome. Where gold leaf meets marble. Where light and flame flicker and colours mesmerise. Where sound lingers. Step inside, and you’ll see, hear, feel the extraordinary – and become part of it. https://www.stpauls.co.uk/
