The Media Show

A year on from the storming of the US Capitol, and the media is still coming to terms with what happened. Some US news outlets have been accused of 'obsessing over' the scenes on 6 January 2021. Others have condemned parts of the media for 'normalising' the violence. So how can these divisions be healed? And in the week that several political figures were banned from Twitter, what role do the tech giants now play in our democracy?

A bold new media start-up plans to create from scratch a news provider that will rival the likes of CNN, the New York Times and the BBC. The people behind it are Justin Smith, boss of Bloomberg Media, and Ben Smith, former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News and media columnist at the New York Times. And with those two at the helm, journalists around the world are paying attention. But what does this new company tell us about the state of global journalism, the aftermath of the Trump years and declining trust in the news? Social media, anti-social media, breaking news, faking news: this is the programme about a revolution in media.

The prime minister is under intense scrutiny, with political journalists reporting on backbencher unrest and a fiery PMQs. But is there really a government media strategy called 'Operation Red Meat', using headline-grabbing policies to distract the media? Should we worry about the apparent cosy relationship between those in government setting these policies and those in Fleet Street reporting on them? And amidst all this, what does the new BBC licence fee deal mean for the industry?

A major trial will take place this year in the US. Elshafee El Sheikh is accused of being a member of the Islamic State group, and of being one of the notorious IS Beatles, so named by their hostages because of their British accents - and accused of torturing and beheading journalists and aid workers. ITV News’ Rohit Kachroo secured interviews with El Sheikh and another of these men before they were transferred to US custody. Those interviews are expected to form part of the trial. So what are the ethics of interviewing suspected members of a terrorist group? Is it ever OK to give what amounts to publicity to people accused of such serious crimes? And how do you even go about doing it?

One of the world's most popular podcasters has given Spotify a headache. Some critics and musicians claim that Joe Rogan is promoting COVID misinformation in his podcasts, which are exclusive to Spotify after a reported $100m deal in 2020. So how did Spotify - originally a music streaming service - become embroiled in a free speech debate? Also in the programme, BBC Three returns as a traditional TV channel, six years after the BBC decided it should be online only.

Open-source investigators forensically analyse digital evidence - social media posts, eyewitness videos, satellite imagery, to find the truth behind news events. Their techniques are now increasingly used by investigative journalists to achieve big impact. An investigation by The New York Times into civilian deaths from air and drone strikes has resulted in a policy change by the US military. Also in the programme - in the west it is headlined as the Ukraine crisis, but how is the situation being reported in Russian and Ukrainian media?

How much power do our newspapers really have? John Witherow has been at the heart of Fleet Street for decades, He is one of the longest-serving national newspaper editors, first at the Sunday Times and now The Times, exposing cash for honours, abuse in Rotherham and corruption at Oxfam. But what role has his paper played in exposing the Partygate scandal that could bring down the prime minister? And what does this tell us about the relationship between the press and those running the country?

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries is calling on regulator Ofcom to consider action against Russian 'propaganda' in the UK, shining a spotlight on TV channel RT. Elsewhere in the UK, the Supreme Court has stopped Bloomberg from publishing an investigation, on privacy grounds. Some have condemned this as a threat to journalists' ability to investigate. So when should a state or the law intervene in press freedom?

Alongside fighting in Ukraine, an 'information war' is playing out. While Western media on the ground are describing a brutal war, Russian media offers a very different narrative. Journalists are not even allowed to describe the situation in Ukraine as a 'war'. So how will the latest crackdown on independent Russian media affect what people in the country see? And what does that mean for the future of this conflict?

A media crackdown in Russia, including a new law against 'fake news', has led many independent news outlets to shut down. So what news can ordinary Russians access?

On the eve of the Academy Awards, Katie Razzall meets Scott Stuber, Netflix's Head of Global Film, to find out how the platform continues to disrupt the film industry.

Katie Razzall interviews Pamela Abdy, one of the most powerful women in Hollywood. The co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros Motion Picture Group discusses her career and the role of women in the industry.

As governments around the world race to sanction associates of Vladimir Putin, the British media turns its attention to the role Russian oligarchs have played in public life.

Piers Morgan discusses his departure from Good Morning Britain, 'cancel culture' and the limits of free speech, and changing business models in the media. Presented by Ros Atkins.

Ros Atkins and guests discuss Elon Musk’s Twitter deal, the implosion of CNN+, and the launch of TalkTV.

The journalists who exposed Tim Westwood and wrongdoing in Westminster.

Channel 4 approaches its 40th birthday facing one of the most pivotal moments in its history. Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4, is the guest in this edition.

What does the Wagatha Christie trial tell us about celebrity journalism? Simon Boyle reveals how The Sun managed to keep its journalists out of court.

The Media Show looks at the role played by the media in the Partygate saga. Presented by Ros Atkins.

Are Royal journalists capable of ever being truly critical? Plus Dan Walker on his move from BBC Breakfast to Channel 5.

GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos discusses the launch of the channel and where it goes next.

The media regulator Ofcom has released a review of how the BBC operates. It has considered how the BBC deals with complaints, how it approaches impartiality, and how it decides which services to provide. Across all three, Ofcom wants an improvement. Presented by Ros Atkins.

Leader of the QAnon conspiracy theory appears to be back online.

After a stream of resignations from Boris Johnson's government, we look at the role the media has played in this scandal, and see how politics, power and the press intertwine.

What role does the press play in choosing the next Conservative leader? How do you cover an election campaign that most of the public does not have a say in?

There’s a balance of risk and reward for any politician taking part in a TV debate, but what's at stake for the presenters? Julie Etchingham and Krishnan Guru-Murthy explain.

Do soaps still matter in a world of structured reality, streaming and social media?

What has the Russian invasion taught us about how journalists work? And what has the media taught us about the war?

As another daily news download launches, why high-profile journalists are turning to podcasting. Presented by Ros Atkins.

The Queen's funeral was the culmination of days of coverage across the British media, but did it get the tone right? Amid the pageantry, was there room for journalism?

On the day the Bank of England intervened to calm turmoil following the Chancellor's mini-budget, we look at the challenge facing journalists to tell this story well.

Katie Razzall meets Universal's Donna Langley as she shares her plans to bring audiences back to the cinema. Plus a film in space with Tom Cruise.

John Simpson’s week in Ukraine, and Emma Tucker, editor of The Sunday Times.

Does it matter that the world’s richest man now owns Twitter? Elon Musk is the latest American billionaire to take control of an influential social media platform. How much will change?

Jürgen Klopp says media should have sent a message about Qatar's unsuitability years ago.

How should journalists cover climate protests? In an era of increasing direct action, what’s the media’s role? And by giving the latest stunt publicity, is it fanning the flames?

Football presenter Gary Lineker says the BBC should speak out on human rights abuses by World Cup hosts.

As protests sweep China, The Media Show looks at the challenge facing journalists to report the story to ensure the Chinese public get accurate information.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, explains how ITVX will reach new audiences, why he agreed to Matt Hancock joining I'm a Celebrity and what he texts to Ant and Dec during ad breaks. Presented by Ros Atkins.

The US launch of British tabloids the Mirror and Express. Plus, Katie Razzall interviews Google's UK boss, Matt Brittin.