The Media Show

How Christina Lamb pieced together for The Sunday Times reports of acts of sexual violence by Hamas during the 7 October attacks. What a new documentary about the 1988 Lockerbie bombing tells us about how journalists would now cover a major tragedy. And a new chair for the BBC is proposed by the government.Guests: Christina Lamb, chief foreign correspondent, The Sunday Times; Daniel Thomas, global media editor, The Financial Times; John Dower, director, Lockerbie; Frank O’Donnell, former editor of The Scotsman; Eleni Courea, deputy editor, Politico London PlaybookPresenter: Katie RazzallProducer: Simon Richardson

Lord Grade recorded at the Voice of the Listener and Viewer conference, 29 November 2023

We look at the latest developments in the sale of the Telegraph Newspaper and planned cuts at BBC Newsnight. Jane Tranter, the force behind the new Doctor Who, tells us what the franchise is worth for the BBC and Katie talks to Ofcom chair Lord Michael Grade about the future of public service broadcasting. Guests: Hannah Walsh, Principal Analyst, Ampere Analysis; Jane Tranter, Founder and CEO, Bad Wolf; Oliver Shah, Associate Editor and Leader Writer, The Sunday Times; Jane Martinson, author of You May Never See Us Again: The Barclay Dynasty; Michael Grade, Chair, OfcomPresenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

As Sam Altman returns to run OpenAI after his sensational firing just days earlier, why is the idea of the charismatic founder so appealing in Silicon Valley? Why are they often men? And do some tech firms now look more like cults than companies?Guests: Walter Isaacson, who spent two years following Elon Musk for a new biography; Helen Lewis, staff writer, The Atlantic; Shona Ghosh, Deputy Executive Editor, Business Insider UKPresenter: Katie RazzallProducer: Simon Richardson

It's a week since Suella Braverman published that article about the policing of protests in The Times and the repercussions are still being felt. We consider why ministers still go direct to the papers with such statements. And we explore the relationship between journalists and the military, hearing from journalists from CNN and Channel 4 who recently embedded with the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza. Guests: Geri Scott, Senior Political correspondent, The Times; Nic Robertson, International Diplomatic Editor, CNN; Jo Tanner, Senior Director, ACPO Worldwide; Michael Crick, journalist; Tim Marshall, journalistPresenter: Ros AtkinsProducer: Simon Richardson

It's claimed social media videos featuring bogus "crisis actors" are being used by both sides as part of the conflict's information war. We explore the meaning of these allegations. We evaluate the implications for the media outlined in the King's Speech. And former Controller of BBC One, Peter Fincham, talks about his new podcast Have You Seen?Guests: Louise Callaghan, Middle East Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times; Robert Topinka, Senior Lecturer School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication, Birkbeck, University of London; Daniel Thomas, Global Media Editor, Financial Times; Seana David, Misinformation Specialist, Reuters; Peter Fincham, Co-host, Have You Seen?Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

The Israel-Gaza war continues to raise pressing questions about how the media covers the conflict, including media blackouts and the challenges reporters face in getting access to Gaza. One of the most important regional broadcasters is Al Jazeera. It’s owned by the Qatari state and has TV and digital output in English and Arabic. It’s one of the oldest regional news broadcasters and has a substantial presence in Gaza. We consider its influence.Guests: Achiya Schatz, Executive Director, FakeReporter; Shaina Oppenheimer. Journalist, BBC Monitoring; Philip Seib, Professor Emeritus, School of Journalism and Public Diplomacy, University of Southern California; Bel Trew, International Correspondent, The Independent; Ismaeel Naar, Arab Affairs Editor, The NationalPresenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

Jennifer Lee changed cinema forever when she wrote and directed Frozen. The film won her an Academy Award and she became the first woman to helm a feature film that grossed more than $1bn. She is now Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios but continues to direct and write, including Disney’s latest release, the computer-animated musical, Wish. In this interview with Katie Razzall, she reflects on her story; how she went from Disney obsessive who used to watch Cinderella to cope with school bullies, to reaching the top of one of the world’s greatest entertainment companies.Produced for BBC Radio 4 by Simon Richardson and for BBC News by Roxanne Panthaki.

The deadly explosion at a hospital in Gaza raises many questions about how the media is covering the Israel Gaza war. Ros Atkins talks to senior executives from Reuters, BBC and AFP about how news organisations should report claims being made by both sides. We consider the terms of engagement for journalists after a Reuters video journalist was killed in a strike in Lebanon, and hear what it's like reporting on Hamas.Alessandra Galloni, Editor in Chief, Reuters; Phil Chetwynd, Global News Director, AFP news agency; Richard Burgess, Director of News Content, BBC News; Emily Bell, Director, Tow Center for Digital Journalism; Isobel Yeung, foreign correspondent.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

Exploring how the media is covering the conflict, we look at the battle for influence online and some of the misinformation that has been circulating, plus we talk to the BBC’s director of editorial policy about why BBC journalists won't use the word 'terrorists' to describe the perpetrators of the atrocities. Guests:Secunder Kermani, Foreign Correspondent, Channel 4 News; Bel Trew, International Correspondent, The Independent; Ben Goggin, Deputy Tech Editor, NBC News Digital; Sherif Mansour, Committee to Protect Journalists; David Jordan, Director, Editorial Policy and Standards, BBCPresenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

Tim Montgomerie Eleni Courea and Cleo Watson discuss goings on at the Conservative party conference with Ros Atkins. Plus Jennie King and Marco Silva on 15 Minute Cities.Guests: Tim Montgomerie, journalist; Eleni Courea, Deputy Editor, Politico's London Playbook; Cleo Watson, presenter, Radio 4 series How to Win a Campaign; Jennie King, Head of Climate Research and Policy, Institute for Strategic Dialogue; Marco Silva, BBC Verify.Producer: Simon Richardson

We look at Rumble, the online platform where Russell Brand's is now hosting a regular show, and explore the politics of free speech on the internet. Plus Guardian editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, tells Katie Razzall about their expansion into Europe and Nick Robinson talks about his new Today Podcast, which he's hosting with Amol Rajan.Guests: Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, Guardian; Nick Robinson, presenter, The Today Podcast; Libby Emmons, Editor-in-chief, The Post Millennial; Sarah Grevy Gotfredsen, Research Fellow, Tow Center for Digital Journalism Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

Channel 4's CEO Alex Mahon says the allegations made against Russell Brand are "disgusting and saddening," but what do the claims mean for the TV industry as a whole? And when reporting the testimony of anonymous witnesses, how hard is it to get a story like this over the line? Ros Atkins talks to the Channel 4 executive behind the Russell Brand story about their collaboration with the Times and the Sunday Times and we get the government's view on regulation of internet TV channels and social media.Guests: Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport; Louisa Compton, Head of News and Current Affairs and Specialist Factual, Channel 4; Mark Williams-Thomas, investigative journalist; Chris Curtis, Editor in Chief, Broadcast; Alexandra Topping, Senior News Reporter, The Guardian; Peter Guest, Acting Business Editor, Wired.Producer: Simon Richardson

Who’s going to buy The Daily Telegraph and the Spectator? The titles have been up for sale since June, after Lloyds seized control from the Barclay family. Also in the programme, a government taskforce to tackle Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), and George Osborne launches a podcast with Ed Balls, his former political adversary. Guests: George Osborne, co-host, Political Currency, Paul Staines, founder, Guido Fawkes, Jane Martinson, author of a forthcoming book about the Barclay family called You May Never See Us Again, Fiona O’Brien, London bureau director, Reporters Without Borders, and Dr Susan Karamanian, dean of the College of Law, Hamad Bin Khalifa UniversitySound engineer: Emma HarthProduced by: Simon Richardson

The EU Digital Services Act, which aims to tackle disinformation and misuse of user data, offers a blueprint for internet regulation around the world, but will it work? Plus we hear results of a new survey from entertainment union Bectu about the plight of UK freelancers during the Hollywood writers' strike.Guests: Jen Baker, European tech and policy journalist; Adam Satariano, Technology Correspondent, New York Times; Chris Stokel-Walker, tech journalist; Nick Seeber, Global Lead Partner for Internet Regulation, Deloitte; Jackie Sweeny, independent hair and makeup artist; Spencer MacDonald, National Secretary, Bectu.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

Ros Atkins and guests consider the dilemmas faced by streaming companies in the face of growing costs and competition, the changing face of sports broadcasting and concerns about AI trawling our private data.Guests: Minal Modha, Consumer Lead, Ampere Analysis; Scott Bryan, TV Critic; Brian Merchant, Technology Columnist, LA Times; Eugene Kim, Chief Tech Correspondent, Insider Business.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

The murder trial of Lucy Letby lasted 10 months and came to its conclusion this week, with the former nurse being sentenced to a whole life prison sentence. For journalists covering the trial, their work was complicated by strict reporting restrictions the judge had imposed from the outset. Also in the programme, a new Channel 4 documentary tells the story of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and its Nobel Peace prize winning editor Dmitry Muratov.Guests: Judith Moritz, North of England Correspondent, BBC News; Steve Ford, Editor, Nursing Times; Marc Waddington, Senior Editor, Cheshire Live; Patrick Forbes, Director, The Price of Truth; Kirill Martynov, Editor in Chief, Novaya Gazeta EuropeProducer: Simon RichardsonPresenter: Ros Atkins

How will the recent explosion in AI change how we find out about what’s going on in the world? What sources will AI rely on to deliver trustworthy news? Will it put journalists out of work? This week we answer these questions and more.Guests: Madhumita Murgia, Artificial Intelligence Editor, Financial Times; Tom Clarke, Science and Technology Editor, Sky News; Eliz Mizon, Communications Lead, The Bristol Cable; Jackson Ryan, Science Editor, CNETPresenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

As of now, Donald Trump has three criminal trials pending – the latest, and most serious, concerns allegations that he conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election. When it gets to full trial, it will be box office. But the conventions of the Federal Court ban any electronic broadcast or photography. What are the implications for Trump and for American democracy?Plus Jeff Jarvis discusses his book The Gutenberg Parenthesis and we hear about the row consuming France’s only national Sunday newspaper.Guests: Jeff Jarvis, Associate Professor, City University of New York's Graduate School of Journalism; Elie Honig, Senior Legal Analyst, CNN; Naomi Lim, White House Reporter, The Washington Examiner; Jeremy Barr, Media Reporter, The Washington Post. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

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 AtkinsProducer: Dan Hardoon

How journalists are covering the European heatwaves and wildfires.Guests: Justin Rowlatt, Climate Editor, BBC News; Laura Tobin, broadcast meteorologist, Good Morning Britain; Anjana Ahuja, contributing writer on science, FT; Ross Clark, freelance journalist writing for the Daily Mail; Kamal Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief, The News MovementPresenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

Stuart Ramsay has just returned from spending a month undercover in the jungle of Myanmar where an often forgotten civil war still rages. He tells us about how he got into the country and the dangers he faced as a reporter when he got there.The arrival of Threads is the latest seismic shock in a year of chaos for the major social platforms. We ask what social media users want now and explore the business models platforms must adopt to provide it.Guests: Stuart Ramsay, Chief Correspondent, Sky News; Dave Lee, US Technology Columnist, Bloomberg; Elaine Moore, Deputy Editor, FT Lex; Christopher Barrie, Lecturer in Computational Psychology, University of EdinburghPresenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

As the BBC pauses its investigation into the alleged inappropriate behaviour of an unnamed presenter, we consider why this is still a story with more questions than answers. And what does it tell us about the influence The Sun still holds on public discourse? In a quirk of timing, it’s also the week the corporation publishes its annual report showing what it describes as “another year of extraordinary delivery for audiences” but also outlines its failure to meet all its targets for engaging audiences. Guests: James Ball, Journalist; Jane Martinson, Professor of Journalism, City University London; Jake Kanter, International Investigations Editor, Deadline; Camilla Wright, Founder, Popbitch, Persephone Bridgman Baker, Partner, Carter-Ruck Presenter: Katie RazzallProducer: Simon Richardson

After the fatal shooting of a 17 year old boy by a police officer during a traffic stop in a suburb of Paris, protests and riots have taken place across France over the last week. Thousands have been arrested, shops looted, and hundreds of vehicles set alight. Journalists reporting the story have found themselves a target, with some being injured by protestors. Meanwhile, President Macron has blamed social media and video games for fuelling the violence.Also in the programme, the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich approaches 100 days behind bars in Russia. The US, the Wall Street Journal and Mr Gershkovich all deny the allegation by the Russian authorities that he is a spy.Guests: Katya Adler, Europe editor, BBC News; Phil Chetwynd, Global News Director, Agence France-Presse; Emma Pearson, Editor, The Local France; Boris Kharlamoff, Journalist, BFMTV; Emma Tucker, Editor-in-chief, The Wall Street Journal. Presenter: Katie Razzall

In days gone by, the organisers of a military coup would be after the radio towers and the TV stations. But when Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, rebelled against the Russian government last week, it was the messaging app Telegram that he turned to for publicity. Who controls the media ecosystem in Russia and how is Putin now spinning his own narrative on the coup that wasn't?Also in the programme, as a new Radio 4 podcast investigates the origins of Covid, what did journalists get right and wrong during the early days of the pandemic?Guests: John Sudworth, BBC North America Correspondent and presenter of Fever, Natasha Loder, Health Editor of The Economist, Clare Wilson, Medical Reporter at The New Scientist, and Francis Scarr, Journalist with BBC MonitoringPresenter: Ros Atkins

With Boris Johnson’s current parliamentary career over, we’re asking what The Daily Mail hopes to get in return for the rumoured million pounds it’s paying for his new column. Meanwhile, the Telegraph is up for sale. What power and influence does the right-wing media hold in the UK?Also in the programme, as The Guardian bans gambling advertising, Clive Tyldesley, one of the most recognisable voices in football joins us to explain why he's stepping down from commentating on talkSPORT over the betting industry’s role in the sport. Guests: Alice Enders, Tim Montgomerie, Susie Boniface, Joey D’Urso, Clive TyldesleyPresenter: Katie RazzallProducer: Simon Richardson

Charlie Brooker is one of the most influential satirists working today. Having started out as a cartoonist, his razor sharp writing on culture and the media made his TV columns for The Guardian, begun in 2000, essential reading for many. It wasn’t long until his acerbic and frequently absurd world view found a home on BBC Four in the form of the TV review show, Screenwipe. He's also behind acclaimed comedies like Nathan Barley. But he’s found global fame with the series Black Mirror, which has entered the lexicon for a singular form of technology-enhanced dread. In the week that the new season launches, Charlie Brooker joins The Media Show to look back at his career.Presenter: Katie RazzallProducer: Simon Richardson

Last week the BBC's Lucy Williamson conducted an interview with Andrew Tate, his first with a major TV broadcaster since being released into house arrest from police custody in Romania in April. She describes how she approached it and what has happened since it aired. Also in the programme, the boss of CNN is reported to have been ousted, and David Aaronovitch on life after The Times.Guests: Lucy Williamson, BBC reporter; David Aaronovitch, journalist; Brian Stelter, former CNN host; Brooke Gladstone, host of WNYC’s On the MediaPresenter: Ros AtkinsProducer: Simon Richardson

Westminster journalists are the ultimate insiders, with privileged access to the Houses of Parliament and the people running the country. Do they work to hold the powerful to account? Or is the Lobby an opaque and cosy club that sometimes fails democracy? Katie Razzall is joined by a panel of Westminster insiders to discuss.Guests: Guto Harri is a former Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street. His new podcast, Unprecedented, tells the story of the final months of Boris Johnson’s administration. Ian Dunt is a columnist at the i Newspaper and author of How Westminster Works... and Why It Doesn't; Caroline Wheeler is Political Editor at The Sunday Times and Eleni Courea is Deputy Editor of POLITICO London Playbook.Recorded at the Hay Festival.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

Eliot Higgins, founder and creative director of Bellingcat, responds to claims by Elon Musk that the investigative group is engaged in 'psy-ops. Also in the programme, the challenge of reporting on the Sudan crisis.Guests: Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat; Beverly Ochieng, BBC Monitoring Africa Analyst; Lou Osborn, researcher at the Centre for Information Resilience.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Studio Managers: Andrew Garratt and Steve Greenwood

As the vote for the Turkish presidency heads for a second round, we explore the challenges journalists in the country are facing covering its closest election in decades, from the dominance of media supportive of the government to bans on social media platforms. After Rishi Sunak was photographed welcoming Ukraine's President Zelenksy to Chequers with a bear hug, we discuss press photographers' access to the Prime Minister.And we discuss what Google's latest AI announcements mean for Search. Guests: Ozge Ozdemir, journalist with the BBC's Turkish Service; Yaman Akdeniz, Turkish academic and online rights campaigner; Shona Ghosh, Deputy Executive Editor at Insider's UK bureau; Jay Davies, Director of News photography at Getty Images; Carl Dinnen ITV political correspondent.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Studio Managers: Duncan Hannant and Steve Greenwood

Jeremy Bowen, BBC News' International Editor, talks about his career and new Radio 4 series, Frontlines of Journalism, which explores the obstacles that stand between journalists and the truth.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Studio Engineers: Andrew Garratt and Sue Maillot

The historian and broadcaster David Olusoga is being honoured with a BAFTA special award. He gives his first interview since the news dropped. Comedian Nish Kumar talks about the launch of his new podcast, Pod Save the UK. They're joined by The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls and Emily Bell, Professor at the Columbia School of Journalism. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Dan Hardoon

It’s been a tumultuous week across the US media landscape from the collapse of BuzzFeed News to the firings of primetime hosts including Fox’s number one presenter Tucker Carlson. The media commentator Brian Stelter called it "the craziest day in cable news history". What might Carlson's departure mean for America? Also in the programme, how should the BBC cover the Coronation of King Charles?Guests: Ben Smith, Editor-in-chief, Semafor and founder of BuzzFeed News; Hillary Frey, Editor-in-chief, Slate; Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Director, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism; and Graham Smith, CEO, RepublicPresenter: Ros Atkins

Jack Teixeira is the 21 year old US airman charged with leaking confidential intelligence and defence documents. They appeared on the gaming platform Discord and revealed US assessments of the war in Ukraine as well as sensitive secrets about American allies. The New York Times managed to identify Teixeira as the suspect before the FBI arrested him. Also in the programme, a new BBC podcast that investigates the cold case of a boy from London who went missing over 40 years ago, and what next for Murdoch after the Fox News defamation lawsuit pay-out.Guests: Aric Toler, Director of Training and Research, Bellingcat; Haley Willis, Video Journalist, The New York Times; Colin Campbell, investigative reporter, "Vishal" podcast on BBC Sounds, Shaun Keep, retired police detective, and Clare Malone, staff writer, The New Yorker.Presenter: Katie RazzallProducer: Simon Richardson

BBC North America Tech Reporter James Clayton takes us inside his last minute interview with Elon Musk; Executive Producer Juliette Howell who runs House Productions talks about their new drama, The Good Mothers, one of Disney Plus's slate of new shows tailored for a European audience and we talk to Emily Keen, Director of Channel 4's Undercover Ambulances and Claire Newell, Head of Investigations at The Telgraph about going undercover.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson

TikTok is the biggest media brand to come out of China and has been in the news because of US security concerns about the app. China denies there is an issue – but what is undeniable is that China has a global media strategy designed to amplify its own narratives.Guests: Yuan Yang, Europe-China correspondent, Financial Times; Howard Zhang, Chinese Editor, BBC News; Sean Haines, Freelance journalist and former Xinhua reporter; Joshua Kurlantzick, Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia, Council on Foreign RelationsPresenter: Ros AtkinsProducers: Helen Fitzhenry and Simon Richardson

During his long career in Fleet Street, Geordie Greig has occupied the editor’s chair at some of the country’s biggest news titles including The Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, The Evening Standard, Tatler magazine and, since January 2023, The Independent. He joins Katie Razzall to discuss his plans for the future of the online-only title, highlights from his career in journalism, and whether the relationship between the media and those in power has become too cosy.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Dan Hardoon

Journalist Gary Younge has seen up close some of the defining moments of our age. From Nelson Mandela's rise to power, to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, to the Black Lives Matter protests, he's been there to report the story. Presenter: Katie RazzallProducer: Dan Hardoon

After a tweet by Gary Lineker triggered a BBC crisis, The Media Show asks whether the concept of impartiality is still relevant to audiences. What does the word even mean? Are BBC guidelines compatible with wider trends in media of opinionated presenters and loud polemic? And might the fallout from Lineker's tweet even hasten the end of the licence fee? Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall debate with an expert panel.Producers: Helen Fitzhenry and Dan HardoonPresenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall

The BBC says that it is having a “frank conversation” with Gary Lineker after he tweeted that the language setting out the government’s new plan for small boats crossing the channel was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".Also in the programme, Elon Musk picks a twitter fight with a sacked employee – and then says sorry, and the role algorithms play in how we consume media.Guests: Roger Mosey, former director of BBC Sport, Alva Ray, Host of POLITICO’s Westminster Insider Podcast, Kara Swisher, Host of "On with Kara Swisher", Noah Giansiracusa, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Bentley University, and Katy Leeson, CEO of Relentless MediaPresenter: Ros AtkinsProducer: Helen Fitzhenry

The Daily Telegraph has got hold of thousands of WhatsApp messages sent by Matt Hancock when he was Health secretary during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the FBI has said it believes the most likely explanation for the origin of the pandemic is a lab leak in China. Both stories provide big questions for the business of journalism; what are the ethics of working with leaked private correspondence, and were some journalists too quick to dismiss the 'lab leak theory' when it first emerged?Guests: Heather Brooke, freedom of information campaigner; Vivian Schiller, executive director of Aspen Digital; Paul Nuki, senior editor, Global Health Security and Campaigns at The Telegraph; Tim Caulfield, professor of health law and science policy at the University of Alberta; Pippa Allen-Kinros, Full Fact, and Erik Wemple, Washington Post columnistPresenter: Ros AtkinsProducer: Helen Fitzhenry

Nicola Bulley's family have denounced some media coverage of her disappearance as 'shameful'. What are the lessons for the media in reporting missing person cases? Also in the programme, a year on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, how has war reporting changed?Guests: Josh Halliday, north of England correspondent at The Guardian; Andy Trotter, former chief constable, British Transport Police; Orla Guerin, senior international correspondent at BBC News; Kateryna Malofieieva, freelance journalist and producer; Rohit Kachroo, global security editor at ITN; John Sweeney, independent journalist.Producer: Dan HardoonPresenter: Katie Razzall

Meet one of the pioneers of reality TV; Fenton Bailey hung out with Andy Warhol in the 80s, launched RuPaul’s pop career in the 90s, and made what might be reality TV’s most successful show: RuPaul’s Drag Race. His company, World of Wonder, has also made films about Monica Lewinsky, Britney Spears and the TV Evangelist Tammy Faye. And long before that, he brought the cult comedy duo Adam and Joe to Channel 4. Fenton and Katie discuss an extraordinary career, how drag provides the perfect parody of celebrity, and why reality TV has always been camp. Image credit: Lucille Flood, World of Wonder Productions. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Helen Fitzhenry

GB News launched almost two years ago, promising to shake up traditional news channels. But as one of its star presenters quits, is the channel in trouble? Also in the programme, a new BBC documentary and podcast about Shamima Begum.Guests: Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO, GB News; Lis Howell, Professor Emeritus of Journalism, City University; Josh Baker, reporter, and Sara Obeidat, producer, The Shamima Begum Story.Producer: Dan HardoonPresenter: Katie Razzall

In India, a BBC documentary about India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is causing controversy. The documentary explores tensions between Narendra Modi and India's Muslim minority. The Indian government says it has ordered Twitter and YouTube to take down video clips from the documentary, but what are the implications for press freedom in India? Also in the programme, how Spotify's podcast strategy is changing and what it means for how we listen to radio and podcasts in the future.Guests: Rishi Iyengar, staff writer at Foreign Policy magazine; Supriya Sharma, Executive Editor of the news website Scroll; Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia policy director at Access Now; Nick Hilton, podcast industry analyst and founder of Podot; Arielle Nissenblatt, founder of the EarBuds Podcast Collective newsletter.Producer: Dan Hardoon Presenter: Ros Atkins

The story of Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs was broken thanks to the work of journalists and investigators. Katie Razzall meets two of them. Also in the programme, why Netflix has bought its first Welsh language crime drama.Guests: Anna Isaac, City Editor, The Guardian, Dan Neidle, Founder, Tax Policy Associates, Adrian Bate, Co-founder, Vox Pictures, and Llinos Griffin-Williams, Chief Content Officer, S4C.Presenter: Katie RazzallProducer: Helen Fitzhenry

Richard Sharp is accused of helping facilitate a loan to the then prime minister, Boris Johnson, when Mr Sharp was applying to be BBC chairman. His appointment is now under review by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. In this interview with Katie Razzall, Mr Sharp denies being involved in any loan and explains why he believes he will be exonerated because he "was appointed on merit".

What the rise of Andrew Tate tells us about modern masculinity and the media, with the VICE journalist who investigated him. Andrew and Tristan Tate both deny the allegations against them.Guests: Matt Shea, journalist for VICE World News's The Dangerous Rise of Andrew Tate, Helen Lewis, staff writer at The Atlantic and presenter of The New Gurus on BBC Sounds, and Professor Scott Galloway, host of the Prof G Pod and co-host of the Pivot podcast.Presenter: Ros AtkinsProducer: Helen FitzhenryImage credit: Scene from VICE World News's The Dangerous Rise of Andrew Tate, produced and directed by Jamie Tahsin.

Michelle Donelan is the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In this broad interview with Katie Razzall, the minister explains why she reversed her predecessor's plans for Channel 4, gives her thoughts on Prince Harry's complaint about the press, and says why the Parthenon marbles will not be returning to Greece. Katie is also joined by Lara O'Reilly, senior correspondent on Insider's business desk covering tech and media.Presenter: Katie RazzallSound engineer: Duncan HannantProducer: Helen Fitzhenry