The Media Show

Kim Shillinglaw, Controller of BBC 2 and BBC 4, is the BBC executive tasked with securing the future of Top Gear. In her first interview for The Media Show, Steve Hewlett asks her how she will save the network's 'baby', now that Jeremy Clarkson and executive producer Andy Wilman have left, and whether Hammond and May will be appearing next season. He also asks her about the remit of the channel, and how to capture a younger audience. Under the banner of 'A Whistleblower's Charter,' The Sun has created a safe space online to allow whistleblowers to share stories with journalists without fear of retribution. Using encryption software Tor, Sun Secure Drop is aimed at those who might otherwise be reluctant to leak information. Dominic Ponsford, Editor of Press Gazette, joins Steve to discuss what the charter might mean for newsgathering, at a time when powers like RIPA are being used to access journalists' phone records.In the golden age of headline writing, the purpose of a title writ large was to get a paper noticed on a newsstand, rather than in a newsfeed. For those in the business of reporting and selling news, that platform has been replaced several times over by desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets and now wearable technology. Steve talks to John Perry of The Sun about what works on the front page, and considers the ever evolving digital consumption of news with Emily Bell, director of Tow Centre for Digital Journalism at Columbia University, and Buzz Feed UK editor Luke Lewis.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

As the General Election campaign hots up, two new political satires have been unveiled- ITV's Newzoids and Channel 4's Ballot Monkeys, with the former reuniting some of the vocal and production talent of Spitting Image. Radio 4's Dead Ringers and the Vote Now Show are also back on air, not to mention election specials for satirical stalwarts Rory Bremner, Jack Dee and Charlie Brooker. But despite this crowded market, is satire, as Spectator columnist and satirical author Toby Young would have it, headed for an early grave? Steve is joined by Rory Bremner himself to give satire a health check ahead of the General Election, in discussion with Toby Young and the Assistant Editor of the New Statesman, Helen Lewis.Pay-TV broadcaster Sky has reported a 20% rise in operating profit helped by strong demand across Europe. Operating profit for the nine months to the end of March was £1.025bn, up from £854m a year earlier. Sky UK also posted the highest third quarter rise in users and the lowest churn - customers leaving - in 11 years. Steve Hewlett talks to Director of Mediatique consultancy Mathew Horseman about the reasons behind the strong figures, how a recent merger with Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia has impacted on results, and what Sky UK is doing to keep customer churn so low.And in the latest of our interviews with political parties in the run up to the general election, we hear from Conservative's Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy Ed Vaizey on the parties media policy plans should they win the next election.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Politico, the non-partisan, Washington based political news organisation is to launch a European edition next week in print and online. With new headquarters in Brussels, it aims to become the dominant voice on European politics and policy. John Harris, co-founder and editor-in chief of Politico joins Steve to discuss their plans for expansion.The columnist and former Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins is well known for her outspoken and controversial comments. Dubbed the most hated woman in Britain, she's been accused of making disgraceful and ill-informed remarks on Twitter about everything from obesity to dementia. She tells Steve why being offensive shouldn't be classed as an offence.The European Commission has filed a complaint against Google over its alleged anti-competitive behaviour. The competition commissioner has stated that the firm's promotion of its own shopping links amounted to an abuse of its dominance in search. Steve speaks to the Guardian's Charles Arthur who has been following this story.And in the latest of our interviews with political parties in the run up to the general election, we hear from Labour's Chris Bryant about the party's media policy.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

The Telegraph's chief content officer and editor-in-chief Jason Seiken has left the newspaper after just eighteen months. His tenure was not without controversy - recruited from public service broadcaster PBS in the USA, Jason was tasked with responsibility for all editorial operations and transforming the newsroom into a dynamic, entrepreneurial culture with digital products at its core. What impact did he make and where does this leave the Telegraph and its digital strategy now? Steve hears from Peter Preston, columnist and former editor of the Guardian and Douglas McCabe of Enders Analysis.Victoria Derbyshire's new daily current affairs show debuts this week on BBC 2 and the News Channel. It's led by a 'Digital First' strategy, in which specially commissioned films are published to the website before broadcast. Steve speaks to Victoria about how a programme can work for both news and daytime formats, and the challenge of making the informality and intimacy of radio work on TV.Last week's 7 way leaders' debate on ITV attracted 7 million viewers, with different polls declaring different 'winners'. It's the second of the much debated TV debates to be broadcast; over the next month the "challenger parties" will meet, as will the leaders of the three larger parties. So, half way through the process, are the formats working and is the audience really learning anything from the debates? Steve Hewlett discusses with Jenni Russell, political columnist for The Times, and Peter Preston, columnist for The Guardian.And in the latest of our interviews with political parties in the run up to the general election, we hear from Liberal Democrat John Leech about the party's media policy.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The Supreme count has ruled that 27 letters written by Prince Charles to Ministers, the so-called 'spider letters', should be made public. It follows a ten year campaign by the Guardian newspaper and reporter Rob Evans, who first submitted a Freedom of Information request to see the letters back in 2005. Steve Hewlett talks to Rob about the ruling, what it means for press freedom, and what he has learnt about the content of the memos. Talk of the Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz being "depressed" appeared on Friday's front pages. Headlines included "Killer pilot suffered from depression" (Daily Mirror), "Madman in cockpit" (The Sun) and "Why on earth was he allowed to fly?" (Daily Mail). Mental health campaigners came out against the coverage, including Alastair Campbell, former spin doctor, and now ambassador for Time For Change. Steve speaks to him about his call to sack news editors who had published 'hideous' front pages, the role of the press in combating stigma, and why he thinks there's a danger in making a correlation between depression and violence.Dermot O'Leary will no longer present the X Factor after 8 years on the show. An X Factor spokesperson has said 'no decisions have been taken' on who will replace him, but the Sun revealed in a scoop on Saturday that Olly Murs and Caroline Flack are being lined up as his replacement. Steve speaks to the Mirror's TV critic Kevin O'Sullivan about what the story exposed about showbit and former BBC controller of commissioning entertainment, Jane Lush about the crucial role of the presenter in ensuring a programme's success. And in the third of seven interviews with political parties in the run up to the general election, we hear from Plaid Cymru about their media policy. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Steve Hewlett hears from BBC creative director Alan Yentob on why star Jeremy Clarkson has been sacked and from Guido Fawkes, the blogger behind the million-name petition to reinstate the Top Gear star. He also discusses the political implications of the Clarkson sacking for the corporation with former political editors Michael White of the Guardian and Trevor Kavanagh of the Sun newspaper. Also on the programme - it's the turn of the Pete Wishart MP of Scottish National Party to talk about this party's media policy.

Should they have seen it coming? Steve Hewlett looks at how the BBC is handling the latest Jeremy Clarkson controversy and the challenges of managing "difficult" TV presenters. Self-confessed occasionally "difficult" TV presenter Giles Coren, veteran "Queen of Daytime" ITV producer Dianne Nelmes and former commercial TV executive Dawn Airey discuss the delicate balancing act of nurturing and reining in charismatic television stars to obtain their best possible on-screen performances.Also - Ted Sarandos, the head of content at Netflix, talks about the future for the TV and film streaming website - commissioning original content like House of Cards and using subscriber data to decide what sort of programmes to provide and create.And - in the first of seven interviews with political parties in the run-up to the general election, we hear from the Green Party about their media policy Producer: Paul Waters.

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended by the BBC following a 'fracas' with a producer on the programme. The BBC has announced that the scheduled episode of Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. Top Gear is one of the BBC's most popular exports worldwide and has a large UK fan base. PR consultant Mark Borkowski will discuss the brand, the decision to pull the show, the relationship between production staff and talent and who, if anybody, could fill Clarkson's shoes.A government report out today says the media's representation of older people is 'prejudiced' and 'out of date'. Ros Altmann, the government's Older Workers Champion, is calling for an end to images in the press of wizened hands and walking sticks, which she says perpetuate unhelpful stereotypes. She also wants to see older presenters and journalists on air, and fewer references to age in stories. Emma Barnett asks Ros about the key findings, and speaks to Alexander Chancellor, editor of 'The Oldie', and Dame Joan Bakewell, former 'tsar' for older people, to discuss whether the media needs to change its attitude towards the older generation.The former chairman of the BBC, Sir Michael Grade, has today said the way the broadcasters have acted in trying to organise the TV debates is a "shambles". This week, David Cameron said he would take part in one 7-way debate, but not the others. Emma Barnett speaks to former Chair of the Lords Communications committee Lord Inglewood who last year published a report which showed clear public support for the televised debates. And talking about the challenges of organising a debate is Chris Birkett, from the Digital Debate, which is trying to engage voters from a younger demographic. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The Director General of the BBC, Tony Hall, has set out his plans for the "my BBC" revolution; a more personal service that will use data to provide a more tailored experience for users, and enable the BBC to compete more effectively in the digital age. In a speech on Monday, he also spoke of his support for a proposed household levy to replace the current licence fee. In his first interview for The Media Show, Steve Hewlett talks to Tony Hall about his new strategy, and gets his views on how the organisation is funded, run, and governed. Steve asks him about the 'major changes' Tony Hall says are needed in order for the BBC to survive. They discuss what is being done to restore confidence in how the BBC is overseen, and whether Tony Hall has realised his ambition of creating a simpler, clearer organisation that offers the best value for money for licence fee payers. Also in the studio to discuss the main themes are Sir Michael Lyons, former Chairman of the BBC Trust; Samir Shar, Chief Executive of Juniper TV and former non-exec director of the BBC; and Lis Howell, Director of Broadcasting at City University. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The BBC's head of television Danny Cohen has publicly responded to a bid by two independent producers to buy BBC Three. Jon Thoday and Jimmy Mulville have submitted a proposal to the BBC Trust, outlining how their £100m bid would save the TV service from going online-only - a plan which is part of cost-saving measures at the corporation. Steve Hewlett hears from Jon and Jimmy about why they believe losing BBC Three's terrestrial presence is bad for licence fee payers, and he hears from Danny Cohen on why the bid is not viable. Live TV viewing in the UK is declining. According to BARB, which measures audiences, the latest figures show that 86 per cent of the population watched TV live in February, compared to 94 per cent five years ago. People instead are choosing to watch on their smartphones and via on-demand services. Steve Hewlett talks to Justin Sampson, Chief Executive of BARB, about how changing viewing habits will impact on advertising, and the new ways BARB is able to measure audiences more accurately. Two journalists who uncovered wrongdoing around bidding for the World Cup 2022 have won a prestigious award in recognition of their work. Jonathan Calvert and Heidi Blake from the Sunday Times Insight team were joint winners of the Paul Foot Award for investigative journalism, along with Private Eye writers Richard Brooks and Andrew Bousfield. Heidi and Jonathan's 'FIFA Files' scoop exposed how Qatar's top football official exploited his position to help secure votes. Steve Hewlett talks to them about the impact their work has had. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The chief political commentator at the Daily Telegraph, Peter Oborne, has resigned from the paper, saying its lack of coverage of HSBC and allegations of tax avoidance amounts to a form of "fraud on readers" - a charge the paper strongly denies. Mr Oborne said there had been serious lapses of editorial judgement. It's raised questions about the extent to which advertisers influence editorial decision making, as newspapers come under increasing financial pressures. Steve Hewlett talks to Chris Blackhurst, former city editor of the Evening Standard and former editor of The Independent, about whether the balance of power is shifting. British TV drama is becoming big business overseas. From the popularity of Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Parade's End and Doctor Who, to more recent exports like Broadchurch and Fortitude, a global audience is now enjoying home-grown productions. Steve Hewlett discusses what is driving the growing interest with Ben Donald, Executive Producer of International Drama at BBC Worldwide, Jane Millichip, MD of Sky Vision, and Mammoth Screen founder and producer Michele Buck. A controversial documentary on immigration that was filmed in Southampton has been reduced from six programmes to one. Channel 4 has announced it will show "Immigration Street" as a one-hour documentary next Tuesday. The station originally commissioned six episodes of the Benefits Street spin-off, made by Love Productions. Steve Hewlett asks executive producer Kieran Smith what has led to the decision, and he speaks to Satvir Kaur, Southampton councils cabinet member for communities about the impact the documentary has had on residents. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Brian Williams, the most popular nightly news anchor in the USA, has been suspended for six months without pay by his employer NBC. It follows an admittance that a story he told about coming under fire on a helicopter during the Iraq war was not true. NPR's media correspondent David Folkenflik talks to Steve Hewlett about the case, and the power and value of the American news anchor to the networks.The Interception of Communications Commissioner has ruled that RIPA (the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) does not provide adequate safeguards to protect journalistic sources. Sir Anthony May has suggested police need to seek permission from a judge when obtaining information of this type. Steve Hewlett speaks to the editor of the Press Gazette Dominic Ponsford, Richard Berry, the Association of Chief Police Officer's lead on RIPA, and Sun reporter Tom Newton Dunn,whose phone records were accessed by Scotland Yard over the Plebgate row. The Premier League has announced that it's sold the British television rights for the 2016 to 2019 seasons to Sky and BT sports for just over 5 billion pounds. Sky almost doubled its investment to retain five of seven rights packages. BT Sport paid 30 per cent more at £960 million for matches including Saturday evening fixtures. Steve talks to Matthew Horsman, Director of consultancy Mediatique, about how the extra costs might impact both companies. Kelvin MacKenzie is bidding to run a new national sports radio station that would compete with Talksport, the broadcaster he founded and sold to UTV Media a decade ago for £100m. The former editor of The Sun is teaming up with his Talksport co-founder Jason Bryant to launch Sports Radio next January. Steve Hewlett asks Jason why now is the right time.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The head of the BBC Trust Rona Fairhead has said most people want an independent body to set the level of the licence fee. In her first major speech since joining, she voiced the importance of the public being involved in the BBC's Royal Charter negotiations, which are due to start this year. Steve Hewlett is joined by Tim Suter, former partner at Ofcom and Lis Howell, Director of Broadcasting at City University, to excavate the key points she made, and discuss how the public might get involved in deciding the future shape of the organisation. Satellite broadcaster Sky has reported that it's added 200,000 new customers in UK and Ireland in recent months- its highest growth in subscribers in nine years. This week, Sky's intervention ended one of sport's longest partnerships, when the BBC formally surrendered the rights to The Open Golf Championship. And this week Sky will go head to head with BT Sport as the deadline approaches for media players to submit sealed bids for the rights to show Premier League Football. Steve Hewlett talks to analyst Claire Enders about Sky's dominance in sports, and whether other media giants might enter the battle. Staying with Sky, and the launch this week of the broadcaster's own big budget production, Fortitude. The programme, which has cost around £25 million pounds, stars Michael Gambon and Sofie Gråbøl. It launched simultaneously on Sky across Europe, now that Sky, Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia are combined. Steve Hewlett talks to Sky's Head of Entertainment Stuart Murphy about the broadcaster's strategy to diversify away from sport and invest in drama, what success will look like for Fortitude, and how pan European transmission impacts on profits. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The job of public service journalism is to provide news, not noise according to a new report by the BBC into The Future of News. The report makes the case that in an internet age, the BBC is more necessary and valuable than ever. It says the internet is magnifying problems of information inequality, misinformation, polarisation and disengagement. So how is BBC News going to deliver on its mission to inform in an age beyond broadcasting? Steve hears from the BBC's Director of News, James Harding. He also hears from Emily Bell, Director of The Tow Centre for Digital Journalism, at Columbia University's School of Journalism about the increasing tabloidisation of journalism on the web.A week ago, the media, reported that The Sun had dropped topless models from Page 3. The paper itself neither confirmed nor denied the claims. Just 2 days after the story first appeared in The Times, Page 3 reappeared in sister paper The Sun. Media commentator Roy Greenslade, and publicist, Mark Borkowski discuss the possible PR strategy of the paper.TV shows Strictly, X Factor and I'm a Celebrity have been entertaining the nation for over a decade. Why are durable entertainment formats proving so hard to find? Steve hears from Mark Wells, former ITV Controller of Entertainment and now Creative Director of Rain Media Entertainment and Jane Lush, former BBC Controller, Entertainment Commissioning who now runs Kalooki Pictures.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Britain's best-selling newspaper The Sun has stopped publishing photographs of topless Page 3 models after 44 years. The paper still hasn't confirmed the move but its sister publication, The Times, reported the change has been approved by owner Rupert Murdoch. It's been hailed a victory for campaigner groups like No More Page 3, who have long said the images are sexist. However, readers can now go online to see topless pictures, and it's understood the Sun's Page 3 website has enjoyed a surge in traffic. Steve Hewlett talks to academic and columnist Roy Greenslade about where this leaves the Sun's print edition, and whether Page 3 is indeed gone for good?The Independent Press Standards Organisation, or IPSO, which regulates the press, wants to put a 'red pencil' through rules and regulation which allow publishers to 'resist' investigations. So says its Chair Sir Alan Moses, who, at the Lords Communication Committee yesterday, said the rules are opaque and difficult to understand. Steve Hewlett asks him about the independence of the organisation, rival regulators, and his vision for the future of press self-regulation.Josie Cunningham appeared on the front page of the Sun after having a boob job on the NHS. In 2014, she made headlines again when she announced she was considering aborting her unborn baby for the chance to appear on Big Brother. This week, Channel 4 airs, 'Josie: the most hated women in Britain?', which looks at how she has occupied the media spotlight by promoting shocking stories, including a plan to sell tickets to the birth of her baby. Steve Hewlett talks to the man behind this coverage - her agent Rob Cooper - about his controversial media strategy and how he goes about securing column inches.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Whether to publish pictures of Charlie Hebdo's latest cover has raised questions for broadcasters and newspaper titles. This week's edition of the French satirical magazine shows a cartoon depicting the Prophet Mohammed holding a "Je suis Charlie" sign. Decision makers have had to make a call about whether the image warrants publication because of its news value, or decide not to publish because of the offence it may cause. Steve Hewlett talks to Emma Tucker, deputy editor of The Times, which published a series of Charlie Hebdo images on the day following the attack last week, and Kevin Maguire, Associate Editor of the Mirror, which hasn't printed the cover, about the dilemmas editors face.As Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra's news service, Newsbeat is specifically targeted at younger audiences. However, like much of radio, it's facing a decline in listening hours, and with the rising success of the likes of Vice and Buzzfeed attracting the youth market, the competition is getting fiercer. Steve Hewlett talks to Editor Louisa Compton about the digital methods she's implementing to get young people engaged with news coverage, and whether the BBC, constrained by defined editorial guidelines, can offer the content young people are now wanting.Channel 4 has just published its plan for boosting diversity. 20 per cent of all its staff will be black, Asian or minority ethnic by 2020, up from 15 percent currently. In addition, 6 percent of the workforce will be disabled and 6 percent lesbian, gay bisexual or transgender. And there are new commissioning guidelines for programme makers. Steve hears from Ralph Lee Deputy Chief Creative Officer at Channel 4 about the impact their charter will actually have on and off screen.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Two stories this week have raised questions about the relationship between the Royal family and the press. There's been extensive press coverage relating to allegations against Prince Andrew, with national newspapers running front page splashes and lengthy spreads, despite the allegations being unsubstantiated. Furthermore, there has also been controversy surrounding the postponement of a BBC documentary Reinventing the Royals. Andrea Catherwood speaks to the BBC's Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt about the events surrounding Andrew's story. She also hears from Roy Greenslade, Guardian columnist and professor of journalism at City University, about the press coverage, and from Ingrid Seward, royal biographer and editor of Majesty magazine, about how Buckingham palace have reacted.Three Al-Jazeera English journalists, Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, are to be retried but remain in jail, a year on from their original detention. The three were found guilty of spreading false news and supporting the now banned Muslim Brotherhood. So what can we expect from a retrial? Andrea speaks to Sue Turton, presenter and correspondent for Al Jazeera English.It is ten years since the Freedom of Information Act came into being - forcing official bodies to answer questions from the press and the public. More than 400,000 requests have been made, leading to exposes of MPs expenses to A&E ambulance delays. To discuss its impact Andrea is joined by Maurice Frankel, director of campaign for freedom of information; Heather Brooke, professor of journalism at City University and FOI campaigner, and journalist and author Simon Jenkins who is sceptical of total disclosure.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Chat shows have been the staple of TV schedules for decades. The Bee Gees storming off Clive Anderson's show, David Icke claiming to be the 'son of God' on Wogan, Victoria Beckham's 'Golden Balls' confession, and Grace Jones slapping Russell Harty, are considered some of the best of British chat show moments. However, some have lamented the demise of the 'traditional' talk show, where hosts do one-on-one in-depth interviews with celebrities. Instead, networks favour comedy entertainment shows, like Alan Carr and Graham Norton. So, why the change in style, and what are the ingredients for chat show success? Graham Norton joins Steve Hewlett to discuss chat show gold and explains how age, experience, and celebrity demands have influenced his style. Also in the studio; Elaine Bedell, Director of Entertainment and Comedy at ITV; Jonathan Shalit, Chair of talent management agency Roar Global, and the Guardian TV critic Julia Raeside. Together, they discuss how the changing nature of celebrity has had an impact on talk show styles, and ask where next for the genre.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

US entertainment group ABC has brought such classics as Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy to TV. As president since 2010, Paul Lee is responsible for all development, programming and scheduling. He joins Steve to discuss the enduring popularity of Modern Family, the importance of diversity in the commissioning process, and how research into the Great Depression, of all things, has influenced recent dramas on ABC.BBC2's natural history offering this Christmas, The Snow Wolf Family and Me, is promising an intimate portrait of Arctic wolves. The presenter wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan explains how with a small crew he got up close and personal with a pack of wild wolves in the Arctic. With them, Caroline Hawkins, filmmaker and creative director at Oxford Scientific Films. They discuss whether Gordon's back to basics, hands-on approach is a turning point in a genre that has become increasingly reliant on high-tech gadgetry.John Lewis' Monty the Penguin Christmas advert has made the humble penguin the surprise media sensation of the year. The two-minute tale of a boy and his imaginary feathered friend has driven up sales of penguin toys and all-important John Lewis brand awareness. Ewen Brown, the producer of Monty the Penguin explains what is involved in making an ad with viral potential and why the penguin stole the public's hearts.The journalist, diplomat and Labour MP John Freeman has died at the age of 99. He was perhaps best known for his interviews with public figures like Martin Luther King and Tony Hancock for BBC television series Face to Face. He was renowned for his persistence and direct approach as an interviewer. Former political editor and correspondent John Sergeant talks about his style and legacy.Producer: Katy Takatsuki. Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Telecoms group BT has entered exclusive talks over a £12.5 billion deal to buy Britain's biggest mobile phone operator EE. It signals BT''s ambitions to dominate the UK's mobile market, twelve years since it left the sector. BT will be hoping to persuade a growing number of homes to purchase all four of its services - home phone, mobile, broadband and pay TV. Steve Hewlett talks to analyst Claire Enders about how the move would affect consumer choice, and how the deal could impact on the forthcoming bidding for Premier League football rights. The media regulator OFCOM has raised concerns about the decline of Channel 4's audience. In a review of the broadcaster, which said that broadly it was performing well, it found limited provision of content made for older children and highlighted the continued decline in reach and share for Channel 4 News. It also published initial findings into its third Public Service Broadcasters review. Media commentator Maggie Brown and analyst Claire Enders join Steve Hewlett to discuss the details.Sir Ray Tindle has launched 4 new weekly London papers, at a time when others are closing down. Steve talks to editor Philip Evans about why the group is bucking the trend. A new book from the Reuters Institute claims PR no longer needs journalism as much as journalism needs PR. It considers the changing relationship between what it calls 'two trades at once antagonistic and mutually dependent.' Steve hears from journalist and co-author John Lloyd, and Robert Phillips, former UK CEO of Edelman, the world's biggest PR firm.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The BBC's plans to close BBC Three as a broadcast channel and re-invent it as online service in Autumn 2015 have been submitted to the BBC Trust. The proposals will generate savings of £50 million. Eighty percent of the new budget will be spent on long form programmes like 'Murdered by My Boyfriend' and twenty percent will go on non traditional content such as micro videos and listicles. Traditional genres like dramas and comedy will be replaced by the strands 'Make Me Think' and 'Make Me Laugh'. Alongside this, the BBC Executive also proposes launching a BBC One+1 channel, extending the hours for CBBC and enhancing BBC iPlayer. Danny Cohen, BBC Director of Television, explains the thinking behind BBC 3's new incarnation and Lis Howell, Director of Broadcasting at City University, gives her verdict on the proposals.The Press Recognition Panel, created by the Royal Charter on self-regulation of the Press, came in to being last month. As recommended by the Leveson report, the recognition panel will decide whether or not any new system of press regulation measures up to the Royal Charter. However, the regulator IPSO,(the Independent Press Standards Organisation) to which the majority of newspaper and magazine publishers have signed up, has decided not to seek recognition. Following the Panel's first board meeting, where does it go from here? The panel's chair, barrister David Wolfe QC, joins Steve.Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of The Guardian, has announced he will stand down from his current role at Guardian Media Group in the summer. Steve hears from the former editor of the Guardian Peter Preston.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Retired teacher Christopher Jefferies was wrongly named in the press as the suspect accused of the murder of his neighbour Joanna Yeates in December 2010. His life was turned upside down. He later sued several newspapers for libel, received an apology from the police, and gave evidence to the Leveson inquiry. A new ITV two part drama 'The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies' is to be aired next week. Steve talks to Christopher about his involvement in the production process and what it's like being the star of a factual crime drama.Times Newspapers, which owns both The Times and The Sunday Times, has delivered a profit for the first time in more than a decade. The News Corp-owned company posted an operating profit of £1.7 million for the year; just 5 years ago, it suffered losses of £72 million. So what's driven such a big turnaround? Steve Hewlett asks Douglas McCabe from Enders Analysis whether this is proof the paywall subscription model is working, or are there other forces at play?Following a decision by two of the UK's leading supermarkets to change the way they display newspapers, after concerns were raised about children being exposed to sexual images, Steve Hewlett discusses the nature of front page tabloid content and whether it should be toned down. Claire Fox, director of the Institute of Ideas, and Stephanie Arai Davies from No More Page 3, join him to talk about whether the message being sent by Tesco and Waitrose - that tabloid front pages are not 'family friendly', is a welcome step towards more respectful representation of women in the media, or a step away from press freedom.

Shadow Minister Emily Thornberry resigned last week after posting a picture on Twitter showing a house in Rochester draped in the St. George's flag, and a white van outside. The homeowner Dan Ware, in an exclusive interview with The Sun, branded her 'a snob', and had his own manifesto published in the paper. Steve hears from Lauren Fruen, the graduate trainee who secured the story for the Sun, and editor David Dinsmore about what this story, and the latest expose of David Mellor's exchange with a cab driver, tell us about the newspaper's wider strategy. Kaleidoscope TV has been awarded the licence to broadcast a new local TV channel for Birmingham. It was originally given to City TV, but the company failed to get it off the ground, and subsequently went into administration. Kaleidoscope TV now has just three months to get the channel to air. Chris Perry, Director of Kaleidoscope explains why he thinks they can make the channel work, when others have failed. A new daily paper that "supports an independent Scotland" has launched this week. The National, published by Newsquest - which also publishes the Sunday Herald, has already had its print run increased from 60,000 to 100,000 copies. But does it have a long term future as a daily newspaper in Scotland? Steve speaks to its editor Richard Walker.Kenyan journalist Maurice Oniang'o last night won the Thomson Foundation Young Journalist from the Developing World Award. His winning entry included a story about two child soldiers who provide security for their village from Ethiopian raiders. Steve Hewlett talks to him about sourcing stories from some of the most remote areas of the world. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen is leading a move to scrap the licence fee. He's sent a letter to the Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, urging him to review how the BBC is funded. In the letter, he says the corporation should be planning for a future without the licence fee and investigating subscription-based payment instead. So, how feasible are his suggestions? And why has the man who led the debate into decriminalising licence fee evasion now stepped up his campaign? Steve Hewlett asks him.Ed Richards has been with Ofcom, the independent media regulator for the UK, since it was established in 2004. In his role as Chief Executive, he was credited with saving Ofcom from David Cameron's so called, 'bonfire of the quangos' and been at the helm during great shifts in the media landscape. Steve Hewlett asks him what he's achieved, what the priorities for the regulator should be in the future, and what it was like being interviewed for the BBC's Director General job. A fifteen year old has won a prestigious award for her blog about her experiences of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Ellen White was praised by mental health charity MIND for her candid posts about the condition, and for providing support to other young people. Steve talks to Ellen about how the medium of blogging has been the best way for her to connect with others. Trinity Mirror is closing seven regional newspapers in the Berkshire and Surrey regions. The group say it's part of a, 'bold digital-only publishing transformation', to move journalism online. Steve talks to former editor of the Birmingham Mail Steve Dyson, which is part of the group, about the strategy to move online and how this may impact on local communities. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

BBC One is the UK's most watched channel, with more than 40 million viewers tuning in each week. A BBC Trust review published earlier this year found the channel consistently produced high quality programmes but many viewers felt that the channel appeared to play it safe in programming and scheduling - particularly during peak time. In her first radio interview, since taking up the position, Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One talks to Steve about her strategy for the channel, taking more risks in programming, balancing populism with public service as well as engaging the hard to reach audiences.Serial, the new podcast from the creators of 'This American Life' is using a combination of innovative storytelling and investigative journalism to top the podcast charts in both the US and the UK. Steve is joined by Observer radio critic Miranda Sawyer, who has founded her own Facebook Serial 'addicts' group, to explore what makes it such a compelling use of the audio medium and what example it sets for traditional radio networks, 10 years after the birth of the podcast.Patrick Collins, one of the most widely read of British sports journalists, has just announced his retirement. His career began in newspapers fifty years ago, and includes over thirty years at the Mail on Sunday. He's covered 10 football World Cups and every summer Olympic Games since 1972, bar one. Steve speaks to him about his career and the changing nature of sports journalism.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

The BBC Trust has approved a new service for Radio 1 and 1Xtra, which will see it having its own TV channel on the BBC iPlayer from next week. It's hoped the channel will lead to an incremental 310,000 hours of viewing per month, and help the BBC establish a relationship with its younger viewers. But whilst it can offer the services, can the BBC offer the content that young people want? Steve Hewlett talks to former Radio 1 Managing Editor Paul Robinson.It's a tough time for international news broadcasters; competition is fierce, and many networks are laying off staff. Not so for Al Jazeera English, which has been recruiting in a bid to boost the channel's "core strength" of eyewitness reporting. Managing Director Al Anstey joins Steve Hewlett to discuss why they're putting this at the centre of their news strategy; and nearly a year since the arrest of Peter Greste and others, Steve asks him how the imprisonment and trial of fellow colleagues has impacted on staff morale.A new online platform called Blendle is allowing readers in Holland to buy newspaper articles individually, or their money back. It has 140,000 users and has just received financial backing from the New York Times and German publisher Axel Springer. Steve asks one of the founders Alexander Klopping how it can boost readership, and whether it can work elsewhere.The fierce competition between BT Sport and Sky Sports continued week. The CEO of BT Gavin Patterson claimed Sky is bribing customers by giving away free broadband; Sky hit back saying that was on the day BT ran full page adverts enticing customers with free broadband and sports. Claire Enders from Enders Analysis gives Steve the inside track on how this ties in with sports rights.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The Guardian newspaper is launching a new website for its US readers today. It's the latest step in a global digital expansion, which has seen it move into the Australian and American markets. But with a strategy that focuses on being 'open' - not behind a pay wall - and with annual losses of upwards of £30 million a year, how can the group afford to keep content free? Andrew Miller the CEO of Guardian Media Group joins Steve Hewlett to discuss his strategy.Filmmakers have gained access to high security psychiatric hospital Broadmoor - home to some of the country's most violent men, including Peter Sutcliffe and Kenneth Erskine. The documentary, to be broadcast on ITV, offers a window into the lives of patients and support staff. Steve speaks to the Producer and Director Olivia Lichtenstein about the ethical issues of recording inside one of the country's most dangerous places.Facebook and Twitter both reported strong revenues this week. However, figures showed that Twitter has struggled to get new users, and Facebook is saying its spending will increase next year. Steve Hewlett talks to Katherine Rushton, The Telegraph's US business editor, about the results and what this could mean for the two social networking giants.Russia Today is to launch a dedicated UK TV channel. It's been criticised in the past as a propaganda mouthpiece for the Russian government and has faced complaints over its stance on the Ukraine crisis. Steve hears from Afshin Rattansi, presenter and journalist, about what the new dedicated UK service has to offer.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Two of the founding members of the BBC Trust leave their position this week. David Liddiment and Alison Hastings have seen the governing body through some tough times over the last few years, dealing with upsets like Savile, executive pay and the collapse of the Digital Media Initiative. Steve Hewlett talks to them about the challenges, dilemmas, and their views on the future of what some have described as a discredited arm of the organisation.The House of Lords heard evidence this week about the representation of women in news and current affairs broadcasting both on and off screen. A number of recent studies have indicated concern about of women in terms of employment, casting and participation. Steve Hewlett hears from two experts who gave evidence to the Inquiry - Suzanne Franks, Professor of Journalism at City University London and author of 'Women and Journalism' and Jane Martinson, Head of Media at the Guardian. Steve also hears from Dorothy Byrne, Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4.The Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) says it's considering whether to continue with a full investigation into the Sunday Mirror for the sex sting carried out against MP Brooks Newmark, despite the complaint against the newspaper being dropped. It would be the first time that a press regulator has continued to investigate a complaint in the absence of a complainant, and could be a significant precedent. Steve talks to Jane Martinson, Head of Media at the Guardian, who has been following the story.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 have announced a joint plan to hold three debates ahead of next year's general election. If politicians agree to take part, one debate would see Nigel Farage appearing alongside David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband. The broadcasters have written to the parties with their proposal. However, the plan has been criticised, with suggestions that negotiations will be long and tricky, and there's the possibility of legal challenges from parties who find themselves excluded. Steve Hewlett is joined by Jonathan Levy, Head of Newsgathering at Sky, who has been involved in the process; Jenni Russell, political columnist for The Times, about why the leaders' may well choose to avoid debates this time round, and Chris Birkett, from The Digital Debate, whose idea for an online-only platform is also being considered.A new report from the Reuters Institute of Journalism argues that the British media's coverage of the EU is falling short. In spite of increased column inches and headlines since the Eurozone crisis hit, the study claims mainstream papers and broadcasters still struggle to distil and dramatise the complexities of EU policy and process. Steve Hewlett hears from John Lloyd, FT columnist and co-author of the report, and discusses the challenge of enlivening EU reporting with BBC Europe Correspondent Chris Morris, and former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie - author of the famous 1990 headline, 'Up Your Delors!'.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Facebook has apologised to drag queens, and those with transgender status, after it closed some accounts following reports they were fake because they weren't using their legal names. However, a coalition met with Facebook at its headquarters in San Francisco, and they can now use their pseudonyms. Steve Hewlett talks to Lil Miss Hot Mess, who organised a rally in San Francisco against the policy, and to Misty Chance a drag queen in Manchester, who changed his name legally, rather than having his online profile removed. Also joining Steve is Emma Carr from Big Brother Watch, and tech journalist Rupert Goodwins about some of the wider issues the story has uncovered.Another story this week which has raised questions about our online identity is that of Brenda Leyland, who was found dead after being challenged by Sky News over accusations of 'trolling' the McCanns. Steve is joined by Emily Bell, Director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University in the US, to discuss whether anonymity should be allowed on social websites, or are the benefits of remaining anonymous outweighed by the costs?And a parliamentary committee is to ask every police force in the UK how many times they have obtained the telephone and email records of journalists without their consent. Keith Vaz has called for a detailed breakdown of police use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), which forces telephone companies to hand over phone records. It was recently revealed how police investigating 'Plebgate' obtained the telephone records of Tom Newton Dunn, the Political Editor of the Sun, in this way. Steve Hewlett talks to Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs select committee about the scope of the inquiry.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

An online investigation published by the Sunday Mirror has led to the resignation of Conservative minister, Brooks Newmark, complaints lodged with press regulator IPSO and The Metropolitan Police and an apology issued from Editor-in-Chief Lloyd Embley to the women whose images were used without consent. Alex Wickham, a reporter for the political blog Guido Fawkes, has been revealed to be the freelancer who posed on Twitter as 'Sophie Wittams,' a fictional female Tory activist. Louise Mensch, the journalist and former Tory MP, who served on the Commons Culture Committee, and Simon Sapper, former PCC Commissioner join Steve to examine the public interest arguments behind the probe, the journalistic ethics and the implications for press regulation.Evan Davis's debut as 'lead anchor' at BBC2's Newsnight began with an interview with the Prime Minister. Unlike his predecessor, Jeremy Paxman, who was widely known for his adversarial, sceptical tone, Evan adopted a more relaxed and conversational style. Is a more affable approach likely to draw more spontaneous conversation out of political figures, or will it play in to politician's hands? To discuss the political interview and how to make it work for the presenter, politician and audience Steve hears from Adam Boulton, Sky's former Political Editor and Sian Kevill, a former Editor of Newsnight.The dangers of reporting from Syria have been highlighted by the beheading of freelance journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff as well as the release of a third video this week of British hostage and photojournalist John Cantile by Islamic State militants. Steve hears from the Middle East Correspondent, Ruth Sherlock who has been covering events in Syria for The Telegraph.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Whilst the No Vote has halted plans for a full-blown Scottish Broadcasting Corporation, with Charter Renewal on the horizon, the pan-UK public broadcaster is unlikely to escape political pressures to decentralise more power from London. To discuss the ramifications for funding, commissioning and regulation are Tim Suter - former Ofcom and BBC executive, Glyn Mathias - Ofcom content board member for Wales and Alex Bell - a former BBC presenter and one time Head of Policy to Alex Salmond.A new Channel 4 documentary series about Luton Police Station's custody suite shows viewers how crimes like murder, child sex abuse and domestic violence are dealt with in the first few hours by police. Filmed by 60 fixed-rig cameras and 5 crews, the series provides an insight into the challenges faced by the staff and the criminal justice process. Steve Hewlett talks to Colette Paul, Chief Constable of Bedfordshire police, about the difficult decision she made to allow cameras in, and how staff reacted. Also joining Steve is Executive Producer Simon Ford about how issues of consent and legal considerations led this to be one of his toughest projects.Trinity Mirror has admitted liability and agreed to pay compensation to four individuals who sued the group for alleged hacking of voicemails. A further six claims have already been settled out of court. What this will mean for Trinity Mirror? Steve is joined by Mark Lewis, the solicitor who acted for the Dowler family and Sven Goran Eriksson.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

The media regulator Ofcom has rejected London Live's request to reduce programming commitments. After just four months on air, the local TV station asked to produce just one hour of London content during the prime time evening slot, compared to the current three. It also wanted to scrap its commitment to 10 hours of repeats every day. Steve Hewlett hears from Peter Davies, Director of Content Policy at OFCOM about why they rejected the request, and asks him what it means for the future of London Live and local TV.News UK, publishers of The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun, has moved from its iconic home in Wapping to a new building across the Thames. It marks a new start for Rupert Murdoch's organisation, which has been plighted by controversy in recent months with the conclusion of the trial into hacking. But with more trials on the way, can staff really put the past behind them? Steve Hewlett gets a tour of the building from Chief Executive Mike Darcey on the day of the opening, and talks to him about how the business is doing, and why he's got no plans to make changes to Page 3.The Sunday Herald is still the only newspaper in Scotland to back a 'yes' vote in the referendum with the rest either sitting on the fence or backing a 'no'. With just one day to go, with both sides of the independence debate pushing for votes, we look at the role and the impact the press has played in Scotland's big decision. Steve hears from Ruth Wishart, broadcaster and columnist for the 'Herald' and 'Guardian'; Allan Rennie, Managing Editor in Chief of Media Scotland, publishers of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, amonst others, and Greg Philo, Professor of Communications and Social Change at Glasgow University.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

It's been revealed how police investigating 'Plebgate' obtained the telephone records of Tom Newton Dunn, the Political Editor of the Sun, without his consent. The law generally requires the police to go to a judge to argue for the disclosure of journalistic sources. However, it transpires the Met police used the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) to obtain data which revealed his source. Matthew Ryder, QC, explains the law and how it's being used, and Stig Abell, Managing Editor of the Sun on his concerns for what this could mean for journalism.The media mogul Rupert Murdoch has tweeted that Page 3 is, 'old fashioned'. This week, the Sun has gone for four days without publishing a topless Page 3 girl. So, does this signal the end of Page 3 at the paper? Steve hears from Stephanie Davies-Arai from the No More Page 3 campaign on why she hopes the message from the man at the top might signal change.One of the world's largest news organisations, Associated Press, is using technology to generate thousands of financial reports without the need of reporters. AP argues it will free journalists to spend more time on reporting. Steve speaks to Lou Ferrara, Managing Editor of AP, about 'robotic journalism' overtaking the human touch.Radioplayer, the online listening platform run by the BBC and commercial radio has unveiled a prototype hybrid car adaptor which scans DAB, FM and internet sources to get the best signal. Twenty-seven million vehicles still don't have DAB radio. Michael Hill, Managing Director of the Radioplayer explains why he thinks this technology will transform the move towards digital.

Rona Fairhead, the former FT Group chief executive, has been announced as the Government's preferred choice as BBC Trust chair. Her nomination comes at a challenging time for the BBC, in the run up to Charter renewal and concerns over governance. Steve hears from John Gapper, former colleague, and Associate Editor of the Financial Times, about what she could bring to the role; former Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell MP, who introduced the BBC Trust as a system of governance, and Phil Harding, former BBC news editor and Controller of Editorial Policy, about what her appointment may mean for the Trust, and the BBC.The BBC and South Yorkshire Police appeared before MPs yesterday, regarding the search of Sir Cliff Richard's home in Berkshire. The police and the BBC cooperated with each other, which ended in the BBC having cameras and a helicopter at the singer's home when the police turned up to raid it. Hundreds of people complained about the footage. However, Chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, Keith Vaz said the BBC had behaved, 'perfectly properly'. Steve Hewlett is joined by the BBC's head of newsgathering, Jonathan Munro, to discuss the operational decisions the organisation made.The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) will replace the Press Complaints Commission next week. The majority of the UK's national press has elected to be subject to its regulation. The Press Gazette is the latest to sign up, and it's understood that a decision will be made by the Guardian shortly. However, there's still concern that ISPO is not independent enough. Executive Director of Hacked Off Joan Smith, Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford, and former Guardian editor and Observer columnist Peter Preston, join Steve.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Social media companies have tried to stop the distribution of the video of James Foley's execution by blocking the accounts of those who shared it. The clip, posted by the group IS, sparked a debate about the ethics of sharing the content. To try and stifle the message, hashtags like #ISISmediaBlackout emerged to starve IS of coverage, and it quickly gained traction. Steve Hewlett talks to Hend Amry, the Syrian activist who instigated the hashtag, and Professor Peter Neumann, the director of the International Center for the Study of Radicalisation at King's College London, about the role social media is playing in the spread of jihadist activity.A report has found how at least 1,400 children were subjected to appalling sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. In September 2012, Andrew Norfolk, a journalist on The Times newspaper, published an investigation which revealed a confidential 2010 police report had warned thousands of such crimes were being committed in South Yorkshire each year by networks of Asian men. We speak to Andrew about the challenges he faced in covering the story. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and Better Together leader Alistair Darling went head-to-head in their second televised referendum debate this week on the BBC. It's been been criticised by some for descending in to a slanging match, with poor moderation and too much audience response. Steve Hewlett talks to John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde about whether such debates influences voting behaviour. And he discusses challenges of staging events with John Mullin, the BBC's referendum editor, and John McAndrew, who was in charge of the first ever live Sky News Leaders' debate in 2010.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The BBC has come under criticism for the way it covered a police raid on Sir Cliff Richard's home. BBC News decided to film and broadcast a search of the singer's home last week, using a helicopter flying over his home in Berkshire. Since then, the organisation has been accused of breaking editorial guidelines, and will now face questions by the Home Affairs Select Committee. Steve Hewlett talks to Professor Stewart Purvis, former Editor-in-Chief of ITN, about the decision making taken in newsrooms, and crime correspondent for the Times, Fiona Hamilton, about the relationship between crime reporters and the police, especially in a post-Leveson age.Sky TV has announced plans to improve the representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people across its entertainment channels, including Sky1 and drama-focused Sky Atlantic. It's pledged that by the end of 2015, all new shows on Sky entertainment channels will have people from BAME backgrounds in at least 20% of significant on-screen roles, while all original programming will have someone with a BAME background in at least one senior production role. Steve talks to Stuart Murphy, Sky's director of entertainment, about how they'll go about sourcing the talent, and to Simone Pennant who is the founder of the TV Collective, a membership organisation which works to improve diversity on and off screen.A press freedom group says journalists attempting to report on the protests in Ferguson in Missouri are being restricted by police. We speak to Gregg Leslie from The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in the US, and Channel 4 reporter Kylie Morris, on her experience of having an officer pointing a gun at her whilst reporting from the protests. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The company which was awarded the licence to run Local TV for Birmingham has gone into administration. City TV, trading as BLTV, was awarded the licence in November 2012 and was supposed to be on air by November this year. Its head, Debra Davis, told the Media Show that it's failed to find enough investment. Administrators say they now hope to find another operator. Steve McCabe Labour MP for Selly Oak tells Steve Hewlett why he thinks the licensing system set up by OFCOM isn't robust enough; Jamie Conway, CEO of Made TV, who lost out on original bid for Birmingham, explains why he still thinks local TV in the city is workable, and Bobby Hain, Director of Channels at STV Glasgow, tells Steve how they've made a go of it there. A law student in Austria, Max Schrems, has filed a class action lawsuit against Facebook. The action claims the social network has violated the privacy rights of users. More than 25.000 people from more than 100 countries have now joined the privacy law suit. Max received a stack of 1,222 pages after he was the first European to request that Facebook disclose all the information it had about him. He tells Steve his concerns.Following the death of Robin Williams, some newspapers have been criticised for publishing too much information about the incident. Joan Smith, Executive Director Hacked Off argues that much of the coverage has been sensational and a breach of the Editor's Code. Also joining Steve Hewlett is Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of the mental health charity Mind, who says he will be taking concerns to the Press Complaints Commission, and Bob Satchwell, Executive Director of the Society of Editors', a defender of the press' coverage.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Public council meetings in England can now be filmed and tweeted about, following the introduction of new legislation. Local government secretary Eric Pickles today signed a Parliamentary order allowing press and public to film and digitally report from all public meetings of local government bodies. It follows a spate of cases where journalists and bloggers have been asked to stop filming or recording proceedings at meetings, despite the, 'open government' doctrine. Steve Hewlett talks to one blogger, ejected for reporting proceedings, and Ian Murray, Southern Daily Echo editor-in-chief and President of the Society of Editors about the opportunities this ruling could yield for local news. Jon Snow has stepped out from behind the neutrality of his newsreader's desk to present a piece to camera on his recent trip to Gaza, where he described being haunted by the horrific injuries inflicted on innocent children caught up in the conflict. The video has reopened a debate questioning where an appropropriate line lies between impartiality and so called, 'attachment journalism' for reporters. Steve is joined by David Loyn, the BBC's Afghanistan correspondent who says that, 'emotion is the stuff of propaganda', and Newsweek correspondent Alex Perry, on how they navigate the emotional turmoil of covering conflicts. A well-respected radio industry executive says he's concerned that some presenters in commercial radio are working for free. John Myers says he's been contacted by a number of people including some who work for national services at profitable major media organisations. He talks to Steve Hewlett about his calls for an industry review into pay. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

A House of Lords report says that The European Court of Justice's demand for internet search engines to respect individuals', "right to be forgotten" is unworkable. The ECJ ruled in May that links to data should be erased on request, which has led to Google receiving more than 70,000 applications. Emma Barnett talks to Lord John Sharkey who sits on the committee which authored the report, and asks UK Information Commissioner Christopher Graham, who would adjudicate on requests rejected by search engines, how he will assess whether individuals will have a, 'right to be forgotten'. The BBC wants to close BBC Three as a broadcast TV channel in autumn 2015 and move it online. It comes at a time when the BBC is being urged to tackle its declining reach among young viewers and black, Asian and minority ethnic audiences. Whilst the plans still have to be approved by the BBC Trust, viewer Jono Read is so concerned he has started a petition to Save BBC3. Emma Barnett talks to him, and Natt Tapley, a comedy writer and performer who has written for the channel. Regional TV station London Live has applied to Ofcom to reduce its commitment to local programming. It wants to air just one hour of local programming during the prime time evening slot, compared to the current three. London Live says it's because it's not pulling in as much advertising revenue as it had hoped. Nigel Dacre, the Chair of the Local TV Network, explains why some stations may want to revisit their programming commitments, whilst columnist Roy Greenslade says London Live's application proves that local TV isn't working. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

For rolling news services, there are tough choices to make in the newsroom over how to cover the MH17 disaster and the conflict in Gaza - which story to prioritise, how to deploy, and which angles to cover. Whilst, for reporters, there are the challenges of verifying stories and working in hostile environments. Steve Hewlett discusses how the news makes it onto our screens, and issues of taste and decency with two heads of newsgathering, Jonathan Munro from the BBC, and Jonathan Levy from Sky News.Al Jazeera English journalists Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed have been in prison in Egypt for six months. Last month, they were convicted of spreading false news and supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, and sentenced to between seven and 10 years in prison each. During that same trial, Sue Turton was sentenced to 10 years in absentia. Steve talks to Sue about the guilt she feels as her colleagues serve time in jail, and whether there is any hope of the convictions being overturned.21st Century Fox, which Rupert Murdoch owns, has tried to buy Time Warner, which controls the likes of cable giants HBO and CNN. The offer of 46.6 billion pounds was rejected. It comes at a time when the sale of Sky Italia, owned by 21st Century Fox, and Sky Deutschland, 57 per cent of which is owned by 21st Century Fox, is believed to be imminent, leading to speculation that Rupert Murdoch will use the proceeds of the sale to boost his bid for Time Warner. Claire Enders from Enders Analysis discusses what this could mean for Rupert Murdoch's empire.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

The Director General of the BBC, Tony Hall, has announced plans that have been described as a, "historical moment", for BBC production. He wants to scrap quotas, which currently guarantee 50 per cent of TV programmes are made in-house. Whilst still to be approved by the BBC Trust, it's a move which has been largely welcomed by the independent sector, and rival broadcasters. Steve Hewlett talks to Natalie Humphreys, Controller of BBC Factual & Daytime Production about the proposals, and how it could impact the BBC, and Cat Lewis, Vice Chair of PACT and CEO of Nine Lives Media, a small independent production company.The team behind the television show Benefits Street has confirmed it will film a follow-up series on immigration in Southampton. The Channel 4 show, with the working title "Immigration Street", will be shown next year. The six-part series is being filmed on Derby Road in the Bevois area of the city. Channel 4 called it "an ethnically diverse street where the majority of residents were not born in the UK". However, local residents are concerned the programme will bring unwanted attention to the area. We hear from local councillor and resident Satvir Kaur about why she doesn't want a documentary on such an emotive issue being made in her area.The press regulator IMPRESS has today announced plans for an arbitration service, which it says will reduce legal costs for the press and public alike. A service like this, offering affordable access to justice, was one of Sir Brian Leveson's central recommendations for press regulators in November 2012. Steve Hewlett talks to Jonathan Heawood, Founding Director of the IMPRESS Project, about whether they can offer a viable alternative to the other press regulator IPSO. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

A viral video of public sex acts filmed in a Magaluf nightclub recently emerged in the mainstream media. The coverage has prompted some commentators to cry misogyny and exploitation by the media and others to lambast the girl in question, not only for promiscuity but naivety in the digital age. To discuss public interest versus prurience by Eleanor Mills, Sunday Times Editorial Director and Chair of Women in Journalism campaign group, and Neil Wallis, former Deputy Editor of the News of the World.Channel 4's documentary series 'Benefits Street' prompted a storm of protest when it first aired six months ago. Over nine hundred people complained to OFCOM accusing the channel of 'broadcasting poverty porn', demonising the poor and the unemployed, stigmatising children and showing people how to shoplift. Channel 4 has been cleared by OFCOM of breaching broadcasting guidelines. The central character of the series White Dee (Deidre Kelly) is now a household name - and never out of the tabloid newspapers. Steve talks to her about whether she regrets taking part in the series and reflects on her own experience of the media. The Home Secretary, Theresa May has appointed the head of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, to lead an investigation into the handling of documents relating to child abuse allegations around Westminster in the 1980s. She also announced a panel inquiry into whether public bodies and other important institutions have failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse. Mark Watts, Editor-in-Chief of the online investigation site Exaro joins Steve to talk about their reporting of the issue and whether the two new investigations will get to the truth.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Radio 5 Live has announced that three of their main presenters - Richard Bacon, Victoria Derbyshire and Shelagh Fogarty - are to leave the station in the autumn. Adrian Chiles and Tony Livesey are to get expanded roles. Although there will be no shortage of female co-presenters on the station, Eleanor Oldroyd's one-hour Friday afternoon show will be the only programme fronted solely by a woman. Steve hears from Jonathan Wall, Controller 5 Live about the changes.Act For Change, a project designed to address the lack of diversity in British television was launched this week with both ITV and the BBC in attendance. It comes after the BBC Director General announced plans to increase representation of Black, Asian or ethnic minority groups (BAME) on and off screen. Proposals include a new top level leadership programme, a £2.1 million Diversity Creative Talent Fund and, for around one in six people on air to be from BAME backgrounds within three years - an increase of nearly five percent. Steve hears from Simon Albury, Chair of the Campaign for Broadcasting Equality, who is concerned about the amount of money invested in the Talent Fund and Avril Russell, a black writer who says Tony Hall's plans won't help her. They are joined by Alan Yentob, the BBC's Creative Director.Facebook has revealed that it manipulated the news feeds of nearly 700,000 unknowing, randomly selected users in a psychological study, to determine how positive and negative emotions can spread on social media. The study, which has just come to light, has sparked outrage from some people and the Information Commissioner's Office is looking into it. Steve Hewlett is joined by the web psychologist Nathalie Nahai.Producer: Dianne McGregor.

The former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been found guilty of conspiracy to hack phones. His predecessor Rebekah Brooks has been cleared of all charges, in a trial which has been one of the most lengthy and expensive in criminal history. Steve Hewlett discusses what the trial has revealed about the culture of an industry competing to break the biggest stories; the relationship of the press with politicians and public bodies, and asks what damage the scandal has done to Rupert Murdoch's empire. A panel of media insiders also consider how the fallout from the hacking story, namely the Leveson inquiry and new press regulations, has impacted on journalism. Joining Steve is Nick Davies, the Guardian journalist who exposed the phone hacking scandal; Neil Wallis, former Deputy Editor of the News of the World; Lord Norman Fowler, former chairman of the House of Lords select committee on communications; journalist and Executive Director of Hacked Off, Joan Smith; Harriet Harman, Labour's Deputy Leader on her calls for tough regulation, and Peter Preston, former editor of the Guardian. Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The BBC has received 445 complaints from viewers about Phil Neville's BBC One commentary on England's World Cup match against Italy. The former Manchester United and Everton player was criticised for his lack of emotion and "monotone" style. So, what makes great sports commentary? Steve Hewlett discusses with veteran commentator Barry Davies, who believes there is too much talk in football these days, sports writer Alyson Rudd on the importance of casting, and former footballer and 5 Live co-commentator Pat Nevin on what the audiences want.It's often said that the internet is responsible for the decline of print. However, a new study by Professor of Economics Matthew Gentzkow at the University of Chicago has found that this assumption is wrong. He's found that popularity of newspapers was already diminishing way before the internet age. Steve Hewlett talks to him about the findings.After seven months, the jury's finally out on the trial of seven people charged in connection with alleged phone hacking at the News of the World. For all that time, writer Peter Jukes has been live tweeting everything he's allowed to report, whilst sat in court at the Old Bailey. As the jury continues its deliberations, we talk to Peter about how crowd-source funding has allowed him to remain at the trial, and how his fingers are feeling after tens of thousands of tweets!The public service broadcaster ABC is facing government funding cuts and has had its contract to run the international broadcasting service - Australia Network - terminated. Steve Hewlett talks to ABC's Managing Director Mark Scott about remaining independent of government influence, and the aggressive stance of News Corporation.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

The BBC is to cut 65 jobs in its radio division, the director of BBC Radio Helen Boaden told staff yesterday. BBC Radio needs to save £38m by 2016/17 as part of the £800m cost-cutting measures required by the BBC savings programme Delivering Quality First (DQF). It's hoped the changes, which focus on re-organising staff, will have minimal impact on audiences. However, the BBC admits that the savings target is so big, on air changes are inevitable. Steve Hewlett discusses the details with radio critic Gillian Reynolds, former controller of Radio 4 Mark Damazer, and CEO of the Radio Academy and former head of BBC Radio Strategy, Paul Robinson.Free copies of the Sun will be sent out to millions of home tomorrow to coincide with the start of the World Cup. The promotional issues will be distributed throughout England, with the exception of Liverpool, where the paper remains controversial over its coverage of the Hillsborough tragedy. However, postal workers in some surrounding areas are now also refusing to deliver the publication. In addition, some residents say they don't want it delivered to them. Steve Hewlett talks to Labour MP for West Lancashire Rosie Cooper about the feelings of locals towards the paper, and Stig Abell, Managing Editor of the Sun, about whether they've failed to read the public mood in deciding to distribute in the North West.And the recently departed editor of The Oldie, Richard Ingrams, talks to Steve Hewlett about what happens to the publication now he's left, his views on the newly appointed editor, and his reasons behind an ever declining magazine industry.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Google has taken the first steps to meet a European Court of Justice ruling that people can request links to information about them be taken off search results. Reports suggest Google has so far had over 40000 requests. The ruling has pleased some privacy campaigners but others argue it violates the fundamental principles of freedom of expression. Steve Hewlett is joined by Max Mosley who won a case against Google, and Padraig Reidy, a columnist for Index on Censorship. Football's governing body FIFA has been engulfed in a scandal this week, with the Sunday Times newspaper publishing allegations of corruption surrounding the bidding process for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Coverage has spread across the world, with questions now being asked about what action, if any, FIFA will take? Investigative reporter Andrew Jennings, who has been writing about FIFA for many years, gives his take on the expose. Three journalists -- including the former BBC correspondent Peter Greste -- appeared in court again in Cairo this week. The men, who all worked for Al Jazeera's English news channel, accused of airing false news, have been in prison for more than 150 days. Al-Jazeera English journalist Sue Turton, who is being tried in absentia, talks to Steve Hewlett about her hopes for a conclusion to the trial this week. The first ever European edition of the current affairs magazine Newsweek is to launch this month The magazine stopped its print edition at the end of 2012, after 80 years of publication, citing declining advertising and subscription revenues. Now with new owners the print edition was re-launched in March of this year. So how viable is a European edition? Steve hears from Richard Addis, Editor in Chief of Newsweek, EMEA.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Sir Alan Moses, the newly appointed Chair of the new press regulator, has today announced the board members that will make up the Independent Press Standards Organisation, (IPSO). In his first interview since taking up the position, he talks to Steve Hewlett about the measures he'll put in place to make sure the body is independent, and his views on press freedom. We'll also hear from Brian Cathcart of campaign group Hacked Off, and columnist and former Editor of the Guardian Peter Preston, on what they think of the new appointments.A picture of the Duchess of Cambridge, in which she is seen exposing her bare bottom, has been published by German tabloid Bild and Rupert Murdoch's Sydney Daily Telegraph. The picture, which was taken during the recent Royal tour of Australia, is yet to be published by any of the UK press although some newspapers have published a pixilated version online. Steve Hewlett talks to Sarrah Le Marquand fron the Sydney Daily Telegraph about the media's reaction to the pictures - which has included TV debates and radio interviews about her underwear, and Ingrid Seward of Majesty magazine on why publishing the picture is one step too far away from taste and decency.Producer: Katy Takatsuki Presenter: Steve Hewlett.

Chief Executive of TalkTalk Dido Harding on becoming the UK's fastest growing TV business.Tough at the top? Steve Hewlett speaks to three female UK newspaper editors, Rosie Boycott, Sarah Sands and Sue Douglas, about their experiences. And, a landmark Press Complaints Commission negotiation that's seen six national papers apologise for, and remove, inappropriate headlines.Producer: Katy Takatsuki.Image: Steve Hewlett with (l-r) Rosie Boycott, Sarah Sands and Sue Douglas.