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Media Confidential

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

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes173Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Media Confidential

Latest Episodes

Does “no-platforming” have a place in journalism?

Alan and Lionel are joined by Zanny Minton Beddoes, the editor-in-chief of the Economist.They discuss how to cover far-right politics and whether a reporter should ever avoid interviewing divisive f... more

As his time as editor comes to an end, Alan talks to Lionel about his final edition of Prospect—and what he plans to do next. He reflects on his time at the magazine and how it compares to his old haunt at the Guardian.

The pair also discuss Netflix... more

Franz Wild is our guest on this week’s Media Confidential. He’s the editor-in-chief and CEO of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism—also known as “The Bureau”.

Alan, Lionel and Franz discuss society’s dire need for investigative journalism and why... more

This week, Alan and Lionel discuss editorial independence, the BBC’s search for a new director general and ask if the current structure is even working.

Is the role too much for one person? As the post-budget scrutiny rumbles on, they also talk abou... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Franz Wild
Editor-in-chief and CEO of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism
Bureau of Investigative Journalism
Episode: The investigative journalists resisting legal threats
Ben Zand
Co-host of the podcast Untangled and founder of the production company Zandland.
Zandland
Episode: Ben Zand: How to make money in journalism (without selling your soul)
David McCraw
Lead newsroom lawyer for The New York Times, author of 'Truth in Our Times, Inside the Fight for Press Freedom in the Age of Alternative Facts'.
The New York Times
Episode: ‘The New York Times won’t settle’: Why reporters will not be intimidated by Donald Trump
Tony Pastor
Co-founder of Goalhanger, a leading podcasting company
Goalhanger
Episode: Goalhanger co-founder: ‘I’ve stepped in to stop Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart arguing’
Peter Oborne
Journalist and author of Complicit, Britain's Role in the Destruction of Gaza
Episode: Peter Oborne: Is the British media complicit in genocide?
Alessandra Galloni
Editor-in-Chief of Reuters
Reuters
Episode: ‘We asked Israel to investigate the deaths of our journalists. We’re still waiting’
Jim Waterson
Founder of London Centric and former Media Editor at The Guardian
London Centric
Episode: ‘Lord Lebedev called me a prick…which sold extra subscriptions’
Jack Thorne
Writer and producer for The Hack
Episode: The Hack: What happens now?
Jane Martinson
Former Guardian journalist and City University professor
Episode: The Hack: What happens now?

Hosts

Alan Rusbridger
Host of Media Confidential, former editor of the Guardian and Prospect Magazine, and an influential figure in journalism.
Lionel Barber
Co-host of Media Confidential and former editor of the Financial Times, recognized for deep insights into the media landscape.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 196 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom3 months ago
  • 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 Kingdom8 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 Kingdom9 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 States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast is seen as an antidote to personality-driven formats, offering more substantive discussions.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and intelligent analysis provided by the experienced hosts.
There are some criticisms regarding perceived biases and specific episodes not fully addressing certain issues.
Overall, feedback highlights the deep insights and vital issues related to media, making it essential listening for anyone interested in journalism.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#67
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#163
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#176
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#76
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#106
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#117
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The investigative journalists resisting legal threats
Q: What are the legal constraints you face in investigative journalism?
While the environment has become slightly kinder, journalists still receive numerous legal threats, necessitating careful handling and documentation of their work.
The investigative journalists resisting legal threats
Q: How have you tackled the problem of collaborating with major outlets?
The Bureau has partnered with big outlets like The Guardian and the BBC while also exploring opportunities to publish independently to build audience support.
The investigative journalists resisting legal threats
Q: Why does the Bureau of Investigative Journalism exist?
The Bureau was founded to fill a gap in investigative journalism that was neglected due to business model challenges in traditional media.
Ben Zand: How to make money in journalism (without selling your soul)
Q: What advice do you give to young journalists about opportunities in the industry?
Ben reassures them that while the landscape is challenging, opportunities to create their own platforms and content are more accessible than ever.
Ben Zand: How to make money in journalism (without selling your soul)
Q: What is your take on the BBC and how they approach content creation?
Ben acknowledges the benefits of the BBC but expresses concerns about its adaptability to modern media consumption habits among younger audiences.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Media Confidential

What is Media Confidential about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on the media landscape, exploring critical themes such as journalistic integrity, media ownership, and the implications of key political events on news reporting. The hosts frequently engage with prominent figures from various sectors within the media, providing invaluable insights into the evolving challenges and responsibilities that journalists face. Notably, the discussions encompass pressing topics such as the influence of social media on news dissemination, the complexities of reporting during times of conflict, and the repercussions of leaks on governmental transparency. With a commitment to fact-checking and independent analysis, this podcast offers listeners a comprehensive examination of the tumultuous dynamics... more

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How many listeners does Media Confidential get?

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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 News Agents
3. Daily Politics from the New Statesman
4. Quiet Riot
5. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

How many episodes of Media Confidential are there?

Media Confidential launched 2 years ago and published 173 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. Franz Wild
2. Ben Zand
3. David McCraw
4. Tony Pastor
5. Peter Oborne
6. Alessandra Galloni
7. Jim Waterson
8. Jack Thorne

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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