Sir Max Hastings, historian and former editor of the Daily Telegraph and London Evening Standard, discusses Donald Trump’s attack on the BBC, the roots of hostility toward the broadcaster, and the impact of ongoing financial cuts—including what the BBC should prioritise. We also explore editorial challenges, leadership dilemmas, the vital role of the World Service, media coverage of the Middle East, and the future of public service journalism. Drawing on his long career, Sir Max offers candid reflections and opinions on where British media must go next.

“I haven’t been allowed to write about Gaza or about what’s going on in Israel by several major British newspapers - and I have asked to do so - because my views would be unacceptable. That it is terribly depressing.”

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Michael Delahaye, veteran BBC journalist and author of "After the Fall: The Battle to Save Independent Media in the Post-Soviet World," joins us to share his firsthand experiences supporting independent journalism across Russia and the former Soviet republics.

We discuss the challenges faced by journalists in a country without a history of independent journalism, the impact of Putin, the lack of a media market, the role of the West, the significance of the BBC World Service and the ongoing fight for media freedom in increasingly autocratic environments.

“I did find, quite surprised me, that a lot of these young journalists thought, “Hold on,” they were saying to me, “But, but look, you know, this is a time of transition. We do have a patriotic duty here, and, you know, we should actually aid the transition. It’s all very fine going attack dogs against authority, but we've got to bear in mind that this is, quote, an emerging democracy. It is fragile.”

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Patrick Barwise is Emeritus Professor of Management and Marketing at London Business School, former chair of Which, the UK consumer organisation, and co-author of 'The War Against the BBC'.

We review the government's newly published green paper on the BBC—covering its governance, funding models, independence, commercial and political influences, public accountability, what's missing and participation in the consultation. And we discuss whether the BBC should settle with Trump.

“I would like to see the government literally saying, ‘We will fund that defence.’ I think that this is actually an opportunity for the government to demonstrate that we will not let our main public broadcaster be just sort of bullied in this kind of a way.”

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@BeebRoger

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email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.