Media Masters

Cristina Nicolotti Squires, Editor at Channel 5 News, and Robert Cookson, Digital Media Correspondent at the Financial Times, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This episode: why did it take so long for The Economist to appoint its first female editor? Is Netflix too ambitious, and what will the wider impact be of their expansion plans? And why did The Sun appear to 'axe' Page 3, only for it to return two days later?

Long-time Media Correspondent at the FT, Raymond Snoddy has built up a reputation as one of the UK's most respected media reporters and commentators. Well-known as the launch presenter of BBC's NewsWatch, Ray reveals what it was like to work at the broadcaster in light of the Hutton Inquiry, explains how he got the scoop on many explosive stories, and tells us about the time he flew on Concorde to interview Rupert Murdoch.

Claire Fox, Director of the Institute of Ideas, and journalist Alex Matchett of Spear's Magazine join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This episode: what long-term impact will the Charlie Hebdo attack have on the media? Should PRs and journalists work more openly together? And is David Cameron right to pull out of the General Election debates if the Green Party can't take part?

An award-winning broadcaster, Professor Jim Al-Khalili has presented some of TV and radio's most successful documentaries, including 'The Life Scientific' and 'Atom'. A leading physicist, academic and author of a number of bestselling popular science books, Jim explains how he balances his academic and broadcasting work, reveals what goes into making a popular documentary, and risks some predictions about the future of science reporting in Britain.

Mark Watts, Editor-in-Chief at Exaro, and Alex Chandler, Editor of ITV News Election 2015, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This edition: what are we to make of Alan Rusbridger's tenure at The Guardian? Why did the so-called 'VIP paedophile ring' allegations go unreported for so long? And what was the biggest media story of 2014?

As General Secretary at the Labour Party, Peter Watt oversaw the party's transition from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown. Resigning at the height of the Donorgate affair in 2007, he published his no-holds-barred memoir and exposé 'Inside Out' soon after, which cast an unforgiving light on Brown's leadership style and caused a media furore. Now Director of Child Protection at the NSPCC, Peter explains how he 'managed' the press at the top of the Labour Party and talks about the NSPCC's campaigning role in the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Jasper Jackson, Editor at TheMediaBriefing.com, and Katie Glass, columnist and features writer at The Sunday Times, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This edition: should Channel 4 have aired 'The Paedophile Next Door'? How can UK local television stem the decline in viewing figures? And will Scotland's first pro-independence daily paper succeed in the long term?

David Cohen is Campaigns Editor and Chief Feature Writer at the London Evening Standard. He has led some of the paper's most memorable campaigns, and won the Paul Foot award in 2013 for 'Frontline London' which helped former gang members start social enterprises. David gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life at the 'Standard', shares the ingredients for writing the perfect campaign story, and reveals the challenges and rewards of working with the city's most disenfranchised people.

Julian Lloyd-Evans, Managing Director at Dennis Publishing, and consultant Jimmy Leach, formerly Head of Digital Comms at 10 Downing Street, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This edition: how can broadcasters report offensive views responsibly? Will the increase in digital ad spending keep newspapers in business? And is CNN's withdrawal from Russia the start of a worrying trend?

Media correspondent at the BBC for over 20 years, Torin Douglas has reported on some of the industry's most explosive stories, including the Hutton Report and Jimmy Savile affair. Now a visiting media professor and columnist, he explains how he got started in the industry, talks about becoming one of the UK's first dedicated media reporters, and gives us an insider's view on the BBC's most famous crises.

Kenny Campbell, former editor of Metro, and John Godfrey, Group Communications Director at Legal & General, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media headlines. This edition: Do automated news 'aggregator' websites need a human editor? How should traditional broadcasters respond to competition from online streaming giants? And are corporate PR 'newspapers' a threat to independent press scrutiny?

Matthew Eltringham, Editor of the BBC College of Journalism, and Adam Dustagheer, Digital Communications Manager at the CBI, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media stories. This edition: Should the police be able to access journalists' phone logs without a warrant? Should Nigel Farage take part in the TV election debates? And is the news bad for our health?

Launch Editor of Smash Hits and Empire magazine, and launch executive of FHM, Heat and Zoo, Barry McIlheney started some of the world's most-read and beloved magazines. Now Chief Executive of the Professional Publishers Association, in this in-depth one-to-one interview, he shares his adventures behind-the-scenes; gives his tips for people starting out in the industry, and offers practical lessons learned in the Editor's chair.

Michael Hill, Managing Director of Radioplayer, and Evening Standard journalism apprentice Mollie Goodfellow join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media stories. This edition: was the Brooks Newmark sting in the public interest? Should media employers actively hire more state-educated journalists? And have the public been told enough about the FM switchover?

In this in-depth one-to-one interview, producer David Puttnam shares a few behind-the-scenes moments on set, offers practical advice to those starting out in the film industry, and reveals the difficulties of balancing family life with a hugely demanding career. One of the UK’s most respected film producers, over a thirty year career he produced many iconic movies including Chariots of Fire, Midnight Express and Bugsy Malone. Awarded a CBE, a knighthood, and appointed to the House of Lords in 1997, his films have won 25 BAFTAs, 10 Oscars, and the Palme d'Or.

Broadcaster Helen Zaltzman and BBC radio producer Tim Johns join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media stories. On this podcast: was there a press bias against Scottish independence, and did it affect the outcome? Will podcasts ever go mainstream? Are shows like LBC's 'Call Clegg' and 'Ask Boris' the new way of connecting people with Westminster, and which politician will be next to get their own show?

Clothilde Redfern, Director of One World Media, and consultant Tom Whitwell, former Head of Digital at The Times, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media stories. Press chiefs have confessed that they're "terrified" of sending their journalists to Iraq. How can we prepare correspondents to report from these dangerous areas? IPSO, the new press regulator, has already been subject to a lot of criticism with The Guardian announcing it would join some other papers in a boycott. Now the dust has settled on Leveson, are we any better off? An organisation has launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy The Times and The Sunday Times, to highlight the fact that 80 percent of UK national newspapers are owned by five families. Is there too much media power concentrated in the hands of the few?

Indra Adnan, founder of the Soft Power Network, and media technologist Tony Churnside, Technical Director at The New Radiophonic Workshop, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media stories. The Guardian has been criticised for publishing an advert that compared Hamas to “child killers”. The advert had been turned down by The Times - which paper was right? With the Scottish independence referendum just around the corner, have TV channels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland given the issue enough coverage? BBC3 has just broadcast its first interactive drama, giving viewers the power to make decisions for the main characters and change the direction of the programme. Is this the future of television?

Ian Dunt, Editor of Politics.co.uk, and Jo Twist, CEO of UKIE, join Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest media stories. Jon Snow has been criticised for recording a candid and emotive piece to camera about the Gaza conflict - do TV reporters have a duty to appear impartial at all times? Sky has increased its investment in Jaunt, a start-up that lets broadcasters film in 360 degrees and play it back through 3D goggles - in ten years, will we all be watching TV through headsets? Associated Press has announced some of its simple finance stories will now be written entirely by computer programs - in the future, will all our news be written by 'robots', and what are the implications?

Ben joins Paul Blanchard for an extended one-to-one interview in this episode of Media Masters. Named one of the 100 most influential people in the public sector, Ben leads market research company Ipsos MORI and has conducted polling for large corporate clients as well as Presidents and Prime Ministers from around the world. In this episode, Ben explains how and why he started his career in polling; predicts who might win the 2015 General Election; and gives us his tips for success.