Media Masters

As Director-General, Mark Thompson led the BBC for 8 years, and is now CEO of the New York Times. In this in-depth interview, he reflects in detail on his career, and the BBC's challenges both past and present; reveals the demands on a Brit leading an iconic American newspaper, while keeping it relevant and profitable in the digital age; and makes the case that the language of modern politics - dominated with 'truthiness', 'authenticism' and the derision of expertise - is now at odds with the public good.

Times columnist and Tory peer Daniel Finkelstein is one of the UK’s leading political commentators. In this in-depth interview, he voices growing concerns about the ‘threatening and dangerous development’ of anti-semitism in the Labour Party, and why Corbyn’s ‘pretty lame’ response makes things worse; argues the EU Referendum was both right and necessary, reveals his misgivings at the ‘rising rift’ between educated and uneducated; the looming struggle for Conservatives after Brexit, and why despite everything he remains enthusiastic about the future for journalism.

Investigative journalist Heidi Blake has helped break some of the biggest scandals of recent history: 'Westminster for sale' lobbying, 'generals for hire' defence deals, bribery at FIFA, and worldwide corruption in tennis. In this in-depth interview she challenges cynics, arguing investigative journalism is in its ‘golden age’, reveals some of the methodologies used to expose the rich and the powerful, and their counter techniques to block investigation; discusses the variety of sources from cab drivers to senior government officials, and wryly recounts the tale of travelling to Bulgaria for an undercover sting - only to end up the victim of one herself.

Jeffrey Archer is one of the world’s most successful authors. In this in-depth interview, he discusses his strict writing regimen; how his personal experiences drive his characters and plots; his future writing plans, and indifference to literary piracy. On politics, he argues Sadiq Khan will be the next Labour PM, reveals enduring regret at abandoning his own mayoral bid; takes responsibility for his perjury conviction and the ultimate end of his political career; and shares anecdotes of his time at the very top of Tory politics.

Amy Bernstein is Editor of Harvard Business Review. In this in-depth interview, she discusses the huge influence of HBR and the responsibility which comes with it; reveals the companies she pays attention to, and her predictions for the Next Big Thing; argues Africa is more interesting than Apple, gives advice to aspiring journalists keen to follow in her footsteps, and defends the importance of embracing failure.

Master inquisitor Matthew Stadlen presented over 200 BBC News ‘Five minutes with…’ programmes, and led ‘The Interview’ series for the Daily Telegraph. In this in-depth discussion, he reveals the art of the celebrity interview, divulges lessons learned from conversations with the biggest names; discusses his battles with PRs and his refusal to intrude into stars’ private lives, and explains why Jeremy Paxman would be his dream interview.

Carla Sosenko is the Editor of Time Out New York. In this in-depth interview, she talks about ‘the best job in the world’ - being top of every invite list, the process of putting each issue together; her passion for creative writing and joy at seeing her play ‘Headcase’ performed; her advice to aspiring journalists and the importance of having a mentor, and her recent stab at stand up comedy.

Chris Wright founded Chrysalis records and launched the careers of dozens of iconic artistes such as Blondie, Spandau Ballet and Billy Idol. In this revealing interview, Chris talks through four decades of sex, drugs and rock n roll; disrupting the radio industry through founding Heart and buying LBC, and shares his regret at selling Chrysalis Television, responsible for seminal TV shows such as Midsomer Murders.

Working for the BBC as a Correspondent based in Los Angeles, Peter has interviewed almost everyone in Hollywood, and is now covering the 2016 US presidential election. Well known to listeners of Radios 1, 2 and 5 Live, he also writes and makes documentaries about diet, exercise, and the ageing process. In this in-depth interview, he describes what it was like to cover the shocking OJ Simpson trial; reveals how different BBC programmes compete with one another; and explains how the celebrity junket interviews work - including memorable encounters with Cher, Harrison Ford... and even Bill Clinton.

Science broadcaster Vivienne famously presented Tomorrow's World and Panorama. In her pursuit to explain science to the public, she also wrote columns for The Times, The Guardian, and The News of the World; and was resident agony aunt, Lydia Mogg, for Good Housekeeping. In this in-depth interview, she walks through her career; criticises the television media for ageism against women; defends science reporters without an academic background; argues there's too little space for quality science reporting on TV, and calls on the BBC to bring back Tomorrow's World.

Matt Tee is the Chief Executive of IPSO, the UK’s largest press regulator, overseeing 2,500 publications. In this in-depth interview, he describes IPSO’s fiery birth after phone hacking, Leveson, and turmoil in both Parliament and industry. Previously a senior civil servant controlling government communications - and a stint running NHS Direct - Matt talks about the complex regulatory framework; a boycott from The Guardian et al, with no settlement in sight; an often tense relationship with editors, and a sceptical public. He outlines plans to reshape the role of regulator from the PCC’s “failure”, and shares just how heartbreaking complaints can be.

Christian raised eyebrows when appointed Editor of City AM, joining the paper aged 28 with no prior senior editorial experience. In this in-depth interview, he reveals how he was unexpectedly offered the job over dinner with the founders; describes the transition from PR and public affairs to journalism; discusses the initial challenges he faced and his approach to editing; defends giving advertisers the ability to publish directly to their website, and speculates about building on the success of the paper by expanding into new territories.

Iain Dale is a political commentator, writer and publisher; presenter of LBC's drivetime show, and MD of current affairs publisher Biteback. In this in-depth interview, he talks candidly about his career highs and lows; reveals he partly blames himself for David Davis losing the Conservative leadership election; explains how he prepares for his daily LBC show; reminisces about founding Total Politics magazine, and criticises Dods for "running it into the ground"; and discusses in detail the legal issues surrounding his televised 'seaside scuffle' with a nuclear campaigner.

A Sky News stalwart, Gemma Morris presents and co-produces Swipe, their weekly technology show; previously anchoring news coverage for both Sky News and Channel 5. In this in-depth interview, she talks through her career; reveals her unique process for choosing gadgets to feature on the show; describes the working relationship between journalists and PRs, including what makes an effective PR pitch; talks about the high-octane pressure of covering live breaking news, and discusses her work producing compelling content for Sky’s digital platforms, including online, social media... and even the screens in the back of taxis.

Best known for presenting Crimewatch, Nick Ross's BBC career took in presenting all the major news programmes on Radio 4 and the launch of BBC Breakfast Time. Now a crime consultant and author, he created the term 'crime science' and founded the Jill Dando Institute at UCL. In this in-depth interview, he discusses his broadcasting career; reveals why the police were initially reluctant to support Crimewatch; argues that the BBC licence fee should be axed; talks in detail about the murder of Jill Dando; and defends again his controversial comments on rape.

Jacqui Smith was the first woman to hold the office of Home Secretary. Now a lobbyist and NHS executive, while in government she was a peacemaker between Blair and Brown, worked in the departments of health and education, and also served as Chief Whip. In this in-depth interview, she talks through her career; reveals what it takes to maintain party discipline as Chief Whip; describes being at the center of the expenses scandal; criticises the media for targeting women politicians, and explains why she thinks Jeremy Corbyn is unelectable.

One of the best-known and most respected journalists in the UK, Sir Trevor has reported from the most dangerous places in the world and interviewed an incredible array of world figures. In this in-depth interview, he talks through his career, condemns the media for an undue over-focus on 'balance'; criticises positive discrimination to fix the media's lack of diversity; and reveals behind-the-scenes stories from his time on News at Ten, interviewing Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, and Nelson Mandela.

A right-wing firebrand, Katie is a MailOnline Columnist and LBC Presenter, and has appeared on a number of ‘celebrity’ TV shows, including famously snubbing Lord Sugar in The Apprentice. In this in-depth interview, she is robustly challenged on her controversial views, asked just how calculated her use of provocative language is, and whether she exaggerates her opinion for media attention. After accusing the BBC of ‘discriminating against white people’, discussing her police interview for her comments on migrants, and laughing off the constant threats and attacks she receives on Twitter, Katie then uses the interview to ask the Editor of The Guardian... to give her a column.

Matt is among the most senior global leaders at Google; and as President EMEA, is responsible for all their operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In this in-depth interview, he defends the accusation that Google is killing newspapers; describes how the company is now working closely with news agencies; argues Google still hasn't become part of the 'establishment' - and discusses his memorable appearance before Parliament to defend the company's controversial tax affairs.

Lindsay Nicholson, Editorial Director at Good Housekeeping; Kate Kinninmont, CEO of Women in Film and Television, and Christina Lamb, author and Foreign Affairs Correspondent at The Sunday Times, join Paul Blanchard for a roundtable discussion on gender equality in the media. Why do men continue to vastly outnumber women in senior positions across print, television, and film? Are female reporters taken less seriously by the industry and indeed society? And what solutions could solve the problem - are quotas the answer?