Media Confidential

Prospect Magazine
Media Confidential

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 is a Fresh Air production for Prospect Magazine. Enjoy one-month's free trial to Prospect's digital content, and get full access to rigorously fact-checked, truly independent analysis and perspectives.  No commitment - you can cancel at any time.     Click here to subscribe: https://subscription.prospectmagazine.co.uk/1mfd/prospect-magazine/mcpod1mf  About Prospect   Prospect brings rigorously fact-checked analysis, ideas and perspectives to the big topics the world is grappling with. In addition to being the UK’s leading monthly current affairs magazine, Prospect publishes daily commentary and analysis online. Even more discussion about the ideas that matter is available in our growing range of newsletters and podcasts, the most recent of which is Media Confidential.   We'd love your feedback! Tell us more at: https://f9ce3vpjrw3.typeform.com/to/bxJBPxN2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 21 HR AGO

    2024 in review: From Sanewashing to the Observer sale

    For our final episode of 2024, Alan and Lionel look back at their Media Confidential year. They’ve tackled a huge range of stories: from phone-hacking and the rise of AI, to Ofcom’s battles with GB News. They’ve analysed elections on both sides of the Atlantic, were joined by Toby Jones on the Post Office scandal, and heard from courageous reporters working inside Gaza. There’s been an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and a crisis at the Washington Post… but which episodes do they find the most memorable? Michael Lewis came to Prospect Towers in September to promote his new book about Sam Bankman-Fried, Going Infinite. But when Alan started reading out criticism of the book, the temperature dropped several degrees. The heated resulting exchange is hard to forget. Ahead of the US election, Rebecca Solnit joined Alan and Lionel to discuss her concerns about the American media “sanewashing” Donald Trump. Finally, James Harding and Carole Cadwalladr recently appeared on the show to tell-all about Tortoise's controversial decision to buy the Observer. James received a grilling from our hosts. Now, with Observer journalists striking, who’s to say who was right? 2025 promises to be a heck of a ride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Q&A: Will machines replace us?

    Could machine-generated articles replace those created by human beings? After their series on AI in the media, Alan and Lionel now turn to listeners’ questions. There's no question that AI could help to make journalists lives easier, but what sort of practical uses will there be on a day-to-day basis? Is there a risk that AI will take over the creative roles of writers and reporters? And what are the main threats to media employees? Alan and Lionel remain cautiously optimistic about the future of the tools that will become more and more available. They’re convinced that the subtlety, wit and nuance of real-life journalists will win out and cannot be replaced by machines. At least not yet… Follow us on BlueSky @prospectmagazine.bsky.social and stay up to date with all our latest stories by signing up to our new daily newsletter Lightbulb—simply click on the newsletter tab on our website and enter your email address to register. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min

  3. 19 DEC

    AI: Powering newsrooms of the future?

    Can traditional journalism survive when ChatGPT is able to produce copy in a matter of seconds? In Media Confidential’s third episode in a series exploring the world of artificial intelligence, Alan and Lionel are joined by Felix Simon, an AI expert and research fellow at the Reuters Institute of Journalism. He shares how the technology could transform the way newsrooms operate, and why this might actually be a good thing. Meanwhile, despite ongoing deals between AI companies, publishers and news organisations, data scraping and the future of copyright ownership remains a grey area. Why does it matter? To watch this video, head to our YouTube channel, where Media Confidential is published every Thursday. Not sure what to gift this Christmas? Why not make use of Prospect’s discounted subscription offer here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min

  4. 16 DEC

    Q&A: The Daily Mail's sidebar of shame

    What do you do if a big story breaks on Christmas Day and there's a skeleton crew running the newsroom? That's just one of the seasonal questions put to Alan and Lionel in this week's Q&A episode. The editors also discuss Mishal Husain's departure from the BBC's Today programme, characterising her as one of the best interviewers of recent times. Finally, they reflect on how reporting has changed since the #MeToo movement. One feature of the Daily Mail, in particular, is singled out as being stuck in the 1980s. If you're after Christmas gift ideas, look no further than our very own Lionel Barber's recent book Gambling Man, or why not try a discounted subscription to Prospect magazine? (Listener Annie Day's dad will be very happy this year!) https://subscription.prospectmagazine.co.uk/dec24off/prospect-magazine/de24nl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min

  5. 12 DEC

    The Murdoch Succession and the limits of AI

    In the second episode on our series focusing on AI's impact on the media industry, Alan and Lionel talk to the executive chairman of Sky News, David Rhodes. David has expressed support for AI advancements, as long as publishers are compensated fairly. He’s keen to promote transparency, support credible journalism, and combat fake news. Noble ambitions...but how does he intend to carry them out? Now that the Observer has finally been sold to James Harding's Tortoise Media, Alan and Lionel discuss the next stage in an unfolding saga. Finally, in the Murdoch empire, life imitates art. The latest developments sound like a plot straight from the series Succession: Alan and Lionel discuss who might take on the mantle once Rupert passes away. Could he rule his empire from beyond the grave? Keep your media questions coming. Send them to Mediaconfisdential@prospectmagazine.co.uk and follow us on BlueSky @ prospectmagazine.bsky.social Also, stay up to date with all our latest stories by signing up to our new daily newsletter, Lightbulb - simply click on the newsletter tab on our website and enter your email address to register. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min

  6. 9 DEC

    Q&A: What's REALLY going on at the Observer?

    Office streakers, whiskey before lunchtime, and untimely deaths: with Christmas party season almost upon us, Alan and Lionel get nostalgic for the old-fashioned newsroom on this week’s Media Confidential Q&A. Plus, your weekly update on the contested Observer sale, amidst disquiet amongst journalists at the paper. After grilling Tortoise’s James Harding on the podcast, plenty of questions still remain... Meanwhile, down under, the Australian ban on social media for under 16s sparks discussion, and it becomes clear that one of our hosts is not a social media fan. But this “dinosaur” can still bite—listen to the episode to hear his objections.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min

  7. 5 DEC

    AI: how to stop Big Tech ripping off journalism (again)

    In the first of three special editions on artificial intelligence and the media, Alan and Lionel are joined by the CEO of ProRata.ai, Bill Gross. Artificial intelligence poses a serious threat to the survival of news organisations. Last year, the New York Times sued Microsoft over AI models secretly scraping its copyrighted work. Millions of articles from the Times were used to train chatbots, which now compete with the paper, the lawsuit claimed. How can be affected newspapers be identified and compensated for the use of their stories? Bill offers a novel solution, which is being taken up by some of the biggest names in the media: the Guardian, Sky News, the FT, the Daily Mail’s publisher, as well as Prospect. Also this week: updates on the ongoing Observer saga, and Lionel and Alan discuss the scandal involving BBC presenter Gregg Wallace. To watch this interview, and many more, head over to YouTube and search for ‘Prospect Magazine’.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  8. 2 DEC

    Q&A: Lionel’s Wild Ride

    In this week’s Q&A, Lionel Barber takes centre stage to tell the tale of a largely unknown man who, for three days, was the richest man in the world. Recorded in front of an audience at Prospect HQ, he spoke about his new book, Gambling Man: The Wild Ride of Japan’s Masayoshi Son, in conversation with Prospect’s books & culture editor, Peter Hoskin. Nobody had written extensively about Son, and with no western biography available, Lionel leapt at the chance to tell the extraordinary story of a speculator who has won and lost billions over the course of his life. From the slums to the high-flying world of trading, he uncovers the rise of a Korean-Japanese businessman, who was truly ahead of his time. Lionel’s book Gambling Man is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/451627/gambling-man-by-barber-lionel/9780241582725 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
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About

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 is a Fresh Air production for Prospect Magazine. Enjoy one-month's free trial to Prospect's digital content, and get full access to rigorously fact-checked, truly independent analysis and perspectives.  No commitment - you can cancel at any time.     Click here to subscribe: https://subscription.prospectmagazine.co.uk/1mfd/prospect-magazine/mcpod1mf  About Prospect   Prospect brings rigorously fact-checked analysis, ideas and perspectives to the big topics the world is grappling with. In addition to being the UK’s leading monthly current affairs magazine, Prospect publishes daily commentary and analysis online. Even more discussion about the ideas that matter is available in our growing range of newsletters and podcasts, the most recent of which is Media Confidential.   We'd love your feedback! Tell us more at: https://f9ce3vpjrw3.typeform.com/to/bxJBPxN2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Prospect Magazine
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Prospect Magazine
  • Show Website
    Media Confidential

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