Jeff Bezos’ growing influence on the Washington Post has reached a turning point, with changes to its opinion section prompting resignations from senior figures. Cameron Barr, a former managing editor, explains his decision to leave, expressing concerns about the paper’s independence. Max Tani, media editor at Semafor, offers insight into how editorial and opinion functions differ between US and UK media. Greg Williams, deputy global editorial director at WIRED, examines Bezos’ wider significanc...
Mar 06, 2025•23 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether Russia’s war in Ukraine is nearing an endgame, examines the implications of the surge in support for the right in the German elections and looks at the huge increase in government surveillance under the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Feb 28, 2025•26 min
Mehdi Hasan’s career has taken him from the UK to becoming a high-profile journalist in the US. In this extended conversation, he discusses social media’s impact on journalism, his approach to interviewing, and why he decided to launch his own subscription platform. Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson
Feb 27, 2025•23 min
The future for Ukraine is fought not just on the battlefield but in the media. Governments carefully craft messages to influence global opinion, and media access is a crucial tool in shaping narratives. Former Nato spokesperson Oana Lungescu and The Times defence editor Larisa Brown, explore how Ukraine, Russia, and Western nations use diplomatic messaging to project power and control perceptions. David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, reflects on the magazine’s 100-year legacy. From long-form...
Feb 20, 2025•23 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines whether Western support for Ukraine is holding firm, analyses Donald Trump’s plan for a Middle East riviera in Gaza and looks at whether artificial intelligence is still a danger to us.
Feb 14, 2025•26 min
Elon Musk’s presence at a White House press conference surprised journalists when President Trump gave him the stage to address questions about his growing governmental influence. Jeff Mason, White House correspondent for Reuters, who asked Musk about claims of a “hostile takeover” of government, describes the experience. The Trump administration has announced significant cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides funding to independent media organisat...
Feb 13, 2025•23 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines Donald Trump’s first few weeks in office, analyses whether the United States is going to start a trade war, and looks at how Mexico is dealing with the new administration in Washington.
Feb 07, 2025•26 min
Bill Gates sits down with presenter Katie Razzall in Seattle to discuss technology’s impact, from social media to AI, as he reflects on themes from his new autobiography. He shares his thoughts on misinformation, regulation, and his most recent meeting with Donald Trump. Also, how can news outlets engage Gen Z? New research shows young consumers trust social media posts and influencers as much as traditional journalism. Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, David Rhodes of Sky News, and Geordie Greig of...
Feb 06, 2025•23 min
John Simpson visits Russia's neighbour Latvia for a special episode of Unspun World where he reflects on how the collapse of the Soviet Union has shaped Putin’s Russia. With BBC experts in the region, John explores how a second Trump presidency may affect the war in Ukraine and looks at the Baltic balancing act over the threat from Moscow.
Jan 31, 2025•26 min
Chinese technology is making headlines with the rise of DeepSeek, an AI chatbot that has surged to the top of US app downloads. Its development cost is reportedly lower than Western alternatives, and its open-source nature raises both innovation and security concerns. Shirin Ghaffary, AI reporter at Bloomberg, Ciaran Martin, former Head of Cybersecurity at GCHQ, and Kathrin Hille, FT Greater China correspondent, discuss the impact. The Excel World Championships bring spreadsheets into the realm ...
Jan 30, 2025•23 min
"We thought we had entered hell." These are the recollections of Auschwitz survivor Mindu Hornick. In an interview with the BBC's Tim Franks, she recalls, in vivid detail, the last memory of her mother who was taken to the gas chamber; the Yiddish-speaking prison worker who saved her life; the terror of selection by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele; and the desperation of hunger, and rations laced with sawdust and bromide.
Jan 27, 2025•23 min
John Simpson is in Taiwan for a special episode of Unspun World, where he reflects on the extraordinary rollercoaster of Chinese politics over the last 60 years. With the BBC experts in the region, John examines the growing tensions between Taiwan and China, and explores how China may deal with Trump 2.0 as the US president once again takes office.
Jan 24, 2025•26 min
Prince Harry has settled his legal battle against Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, securing a formal apology and substantial damages. Joshua Rozenberg, legal affairs commentator and journalist, explains the allegations, which included claims that private investigators used illegal methods to obtain information. Chris Huhne, former cabinet minister, reflects on his own experience. The future of TikTok in the US faces uncertainty following remarks by President Trump, who proposed a potential deal ...
Jan 23, 2025•23 min
The devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles has been profound, with homes and communities left in ruins. Jonathan Hunt, Fox News correspondent, and Emma Vardy of BBC News recount their experience of reporting from the Pacific Palisades. Allison Agsten, director of the Annenberg Centre for Climate Journalism and Communication, shares her concern that media coverage has often overlooked the role of climate change in exacerbating these events. Caroline Frost, columnist for the Radio Time...
Jan 16, 2025•23 min
Ahead of President Trump’s return to The White House, Meta is replacing its US fact-checking program with a new “user-driven” approach called Community Notes. Angie Drobnic Holan, Director of the International Fact-Checking Network, explains the implications of this decision and whether decentralising moderation can effectively address misinformation. Piers Morgan, broadcaster and former host at Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, has announced his decision to leave and focus on his YouTube channel. Julia...
Jan 09, 2025•23 min
We explore the key media trends shaping 2025. From the rise of AI in journalism to how social platforms are transforming news, challenges in media funding and the future of regulation. With insights from Madhumita Murgia of the Financial Times, Charlotte Tobitt from Press Gazette and Rebecca Jennings from Vox. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson
Jan 02, 2025•23 min
Kyiv’s answer to the Kremlin’s warspeak. In part one of this miniseries, we focused on Russia’s case, trying to see through Moscow’s war propaganda: its purpose and building blocks. In this episode, we turn to the Ukrainian side of this linguistic tug or war. Here we find that language itself is at the heart of this conflict, fuelling Ukraine’s “linguistic decolonisation”. Producer: Kriszta Satori Presenter: Krassi Twigg
Dec 28, 2024•37 min
Advertising executive Sir John Hegarty has created campaigns for some of the world's most famous brands including Levi's, Lynx, and Audi. He was a founding partner of Saatchi and Saatchi before co-founding his own firm, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, in 1982. But he believes that advertising today has lost sight of creativity, in its relentless focus on data and targeted advertising. He joins Ros Atkins to discuss his career, his theory of creativity, and the future of his industry. Presenter: Ros Atkins...
Dec 26, 2024•23 min
Decoding the Kremlin’s warspeak to understand the power of propaganda as a weapon of war. “Let’s cut dill”, “a pop of cotton”, “meat assault”: expressions the average foreigner might struggle to understand. We analyse Moscow’s military jargon; in part two of this mini-series, we’ll explore Kyiv’s answer to it. Producer: Kriszta Satori, Vitaly Shevchenko Presenter: Krassi Twigg
Dec 21, 2024•28 min
A report by CNN from inside a Syrian prison has become a flashpoint for media scrutiny after the featured prisoner, initially presented as a victim, was identified as a former member of Assad’s Air Force Intelligence Directorate. David Folkenflik, Media Correspondent for NPR, examines the ethical dilemmas and journalistic standards in such high-stakes reporting. ABC News reached a $15m settlement with Donald Trump over a defamation claim stemming from false statements made by one of its star pre...
Dec 19, 2024•23 min
After Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed, Syrian media enters a new chapter. Kholoud Helmi, co-founder of the independent paper Enab Baladi, reflects on her publication’s journey from clandestine reporting during Assad’s era to hopes for unfiltered journalism in today’s Syria. Sednaya prison, long shrouded in secrecy, has become a focal point for journalists and families of the missing. Freelance journalist Edmund Bower, reporting for The Times, recounts his access to the site. The murder of Uni...
Dec 12, 2024•23 min
Reddit bills itself as the “home to endless conversation and authentic human connection”, and it is now one of the fastest growing social networks in the world. For the first time in its 20 years history, it has turned a profit. Journalist James Ball discusses its financial milestones, while Robert H. Peck, associate professor at the University of Iowa, explains its moderation approach and the challenges of maintaining community standards on a rapidly growing platform. Syrian rebel group Hayat T...
Dec 05, 2024•23 min
Mishal Husain, one of the most recognisable voices on the BBC, is leaving after 26 years to join Bloomberg. Known for presenting Today and high-profile TV bulletins, her departure marks a turning point for the BBC, which is navigating budget cuts and shifting priorities. Alex Farber, media correspondent for The Times, explores the story. The longstanding feud between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar has entered the courtroom. Drake alleges that Universal Music manipulated streaming platforms to ...
Nov 28, 2024•23 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the risk of escalation in Russia’s war with Ukraine, analyses the political situation in Germany ahead of a snap general election, and looks at the crisis in the Anglican church in the wake of the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Nov 22, 2024•26 min
Friday’s Netflix boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was more than a fight; it was a media moment. Evan Shapiro, media commentator, sees it as evidence of influencer dominance over traditional media. Oliver Brown, Chief Sports Writer of The Daily Telegraph, discusses whether such events mark a shift from genuine sport to spectacle. Crosswords and puzzles are becoming an integral part of newspaper business strategies. Zoe Bell, Executive Producer of Games at The New York Times, explains...
Nov 21, 2024•23 min
John Simpson explores the implications of a second Trump term for US foreign policy, the role of Saudi Arabia in the search for stability in the Middle East, and the appeal of South Korean culture.
Nov 15, 2024•26 min
The US election has brought about significant challenges for the mainstream media. Edward Luce of the Financial Times, Megan McArdle of The Washington Post, and Katie Drummond of WIRED discuss the diversification of media sources and the struggle for relevance among traditional news organisations. Taskmaster has become a standout success in the world of TV comedy. Alex Horne, the creator and co-host of the UK edition, provides insights into the show’s enduring popularity and its international ad...
Nov 14, 2024•23 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines how the US Presidential campaign has highlighted the deep divisions in the country, analyses the future for Hezbollah in Lebanon in the wake of Israel’s attacks, and looks at how difficult life is now in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Nov 08, 2024•26 min
Much of the traditional media were blindsided by Trump’s election victory. To discuss why, Katie is joined by James Harding, Founder, Tortoise Media, Claire Atkinson, The Media Mix newsletter, and Max Tani, Media Editor, Semafor. Also on the show, a new investigation into the finances of the British Royal family. Alistair Jackson, Investigations Editor, Channel 4, Jennie Bond, former BBC Royal Correspondent and Kinsey Schofield, Host, To Di for Daily ask whether the Royals get an easy ride from ...
Nov 07, 2024•23 min
Why is the Kremlin worried about population decline? President Putin has made the increase of human capital a national priority. Decision-makers have been competing to offer a solution, from fiscal incentives to encourage women to have more children, to restricting access to abortion, to banning "propaganda" of “childless lifestyle”. Will their plan work? Producer: Francis Scarr, Veronika Malinboym, Kriszta Satori, Elchin Suleymanov Presenter: Krassi Twigg
Nov 02, 2024•40 min
