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PODCAST

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch

Good Egg Productions

Roger Bolton,formerly presenter of BBC Radio 4"s "Feedback" launches his very first podcast. Free from the constraints of broadcasting on the BBC, with a few more opinions and casting his net a little bit wider to encompass the whole of the BBC, Roger examines the issues that are facing the corporation and public service broadcasting.Find all our podcastshereAnd please support this podcast by subscribinghereWe also support VLV (Voice of the Listener and Viewer) which represents the interests of

news politics

All Episodes

29:45

Phil Riley, radio executive, on BBC “radio licences”,...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2026/02/05

Phil Riley is one of commercial radio’s most experienced executives, former chief executive of Chrysalis Radio and now co‑founder and chief executive of Boom Radio, the station created for Britain’s baby boomers. We discuss current ideas for funding the BBC – including proposals around BBC Sounds and a possible “radio licence” – and what they could mean for both the BBC and commercial radio.We also explore the wider future of radio and public service broadcasting, including the growth of podcasts,

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36:40

Rob Crilly, ex-US Chief Correspondent at the Daily...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2026/01/29

Rob Crilly, former Chief US Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail Online, now author of the “Washington Secrets” newsletter at the Washington Examiner, joins us again one year on to assess Donald Trump’s first year in office. We talk about covering a president who sets the agenda via late-night tweets, how the White House manages access and mixes up the briefing room, and what it means for organisations such as the BBC to face a billion‑dollar lawsuit and accusations of “fake news”.We

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31:14

Prof Lee Edwards on BBC Charter Review – A Missed...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2026/01/22

Lee Edwards, Professor of Strategic Communications and Public Engagement at the London School of Economics, and Chair of the Media Reform Coalition, discusses in detail the government’s green paper on the BBC’s future: the consultation process and timetable; proposed changes to BBC funding—including the possibility of a household levy; principles of universality and public service; and questions about government involvement in BBC governance.We also examine the balance between public purpose and

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30:35

Sir Max Hastings, ex Daily Telegraph editor, on...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2026/01/14

Sir Max Hastings, historian and former editor of the Daily Telegraph and London Evening Standard, discusses Donald Trump’s attack on the BBC, the roots of hostility toward the broadcaster, and the impact of ongoing financial cuts—including what the BBC should prioritise. We also explore editorial challenges, leadership dilemmas, the vital role of the World Service, media coverage of the Middle East, and the future of public service journalism. Drawing on his long career, Sir Max offers candid

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31:50

Michael Delahaye on the BBC’s influence and the...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2026/01/08

Michael Delahaye, veteran BBC journalist and author of "After the Fall: The Battle to Save Independent Media in the Post-Soviet World," joins us to share his firsthand experiences supporting independent journalism across Russia and the former Soviet republics.We discuss the challenges faced by journalists in a country without a history of independent journalism, the impact of Putin, the lack of a media market, the role of the West, the significance of the BBC World Service and the ongoing fight for

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34:51

Prof Patrick Barwise Unpacks the BBC Green Paper and...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/12/18

Patrick Barwise is Emeritus Professor of Management and Marketing at London Business School, former chair of Which, the UK consumer organisation, and co-author of 'The War Against the BBC'.We review the government's newly published green paper on the BBC—covering its governance, funding models, independence, commercial and political influences, public accountability, what's missing and participation in the consultation. And we discuss whether the BBC should settle with Trump. “I would like to see

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32:50

The British Academy BBC report: time for big changes

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/12/12

Professors Georgina Born and Justin Lewis are co-authors of the British Academy report on the future of the BBC and public service media. From the UK to Scandinavia, Canada to Australia, the report presents evidence about what works and what doesn’t. We discuss some of their findings: the importance of democratic governance, the decline of the licence fee, and the need for independent funding mechanisms.We explore the role of public service media, the threat from global big tech, governance and

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26:20

Jon Williams, ex-BBC Foreign News Editor, on...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/12/05

Jon Williams, Executive Director of the Rory Peck Trust, former foreign editor at BBC News, and managing editor of ABC News in the US and RTÉ. We discuss the work of the Trust; the challenges facing freelance journalists; the rise in deaths and imprisonment of journalists; dealing with propaganda wars and media companies; and how broadcasters should handle lawsuits.“As news organisations have got less and less money to base foreign correspondents overseas, then more and more they're turning to

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30:18

Dan Thomas, FT Global Media Editor on the Sky/ITV...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/11/28

Dan Thomas is the global media editor of the Financial Times and its former business editor. We discuss the turbulence shaking up the UK media industry: the high-stakes merger talks between ITV and Sky – what that means for the future of public service broadcasting, the challenges posed by increasing media consolidation and what lies ahead for major players like Channel 4. We also discuss the current leadership crisis at the BBC and the potential impact of the government's long-awaited green

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1:08:17

Stewart Purvis, ex-ITN Chief, Richard Ayre, ex...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/11/27

At the Voice of the Listener and Viewer autumn conference, the second session chaired by former BBC World Tonight presenter Ritula Shah, dealt with enhancing impartiality in news. Professor Stephen Cushion, Director of Research and Impact at the Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture, presented new research on impartiality standards in news, followed by a discussion on the implications of the rise of opinion-led TV and radio for audiences. The panellists, apart from Professor Cushion,

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33:18

Mark Damazer, former BBC Trustee and Prof Steven...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/11/27

After a turbulent few weeks for the BBC, the Voice of the Listener and Viewer held a timely panel titled “What Next for the BBC?” at its conference on Wednesday. The speakers were Mark Damazer — former Controller of Radio 4, Deputy Director of BBC News, BBC Trustee — and Stephen Barnett, Professor of Communications at the University of Westminster.They tackled the growing crisis of governance at the Corporation: the politicisation of the BBC Board, the influence of political appointees and how

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34:04

Andy Webb, Dianarama author on Princess Diana, BBC...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/11/20

Andy Webb is the author of Dianarama: The Betrayal of Princess Diana. We discuss his years-long investigation into the BBC Panorama interview with Princess Diana, the controversial methods used by journalist Martin Bashir, the ongoing questions of BBC accountability and transparency, and the significant challenges he faced accessing the BBC’s archives in pursuit of the full story."It could be plausibly argued that Diana would be alive today—64 years old, the grandmother of five kids—had the BBC, in

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36:16

Richard Ayre, former senior BBC Executive on BBC...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/11/11

Richard Ayre is a former Controller of Editorial Policy and Deputy Chief Executive of BBC News, and later became a member of the BBC Trust. We discuss the BBC's crisis: how the organisation should respond to legal threats from Trump; the resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness; the actions and inaction of the editorial guidelines and standards committee; and the wider impact on BBC journalism.Richard also explains the process for appointing a new Director General, the implications for Charter

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31:36

Pat Younge, ex-BBC Chief Creative Officer, on BBC...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/11/06

Pat Younge, former BBC Chief Creative Officer and board member at ITV Studios, responds to allegations of bias made against the BBC’s Panorama programme; outlines proposals from the British Broadcasting Challenge for renewing the BBC’s charter and ensuring its long-term independence and relevance; and discusses the impact of media consolidation by wealthy, powerful figures in the US and how this affects the UK media landscape, especially Channel 5. We also discuss broadcast funding models,

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33:39

Matt Frei, Channel 4 News presenter on democracy's...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/10/27

Matt Frei is the Europe editor and presenter of Channel 4 News who delivered the annual Steve Hewlett Memorial Lecture. We discuss his speech, the state of democracy in the United States and whether what is happening there can happen here, BBC's coverage of Gaza and the propaganda war, challenges facing traditional news organisations and whether there is a place for GB News, the domination of the news cycle by Trump, his personal journey from Germany to becoming a prominent British journalist, and

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32:32

Prof Stephen Cushion on Ofcom, Politicians as...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/10/22

Professor Stephen Cushion, Director of Research at the Cardiff School of Journalism, discusses this week's decision by Ofcom on politicians presenting news programmes, the BBC's request to reduce the number of current affairs programmes in prime time, and his new research which analyses impartiality in news reporting, the representation of political parties, the impact of social media and news consumption, and generational attitudes towards impartiality."The rules are changing, aren't they? We're at

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34:05

Prof Paul Dixon: The Military’s Influence on...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/10/15

Prof Paul Dixon, Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester and Queen Mary College, University of London, discusses his new book, “The Militarisation of British Democracy: The Iraq and Afghan Wars and the Rise of Authoritarianism.”We explore the military’s influence on UK politics and society, the idea of a "militarist coalition," debates over defence spending, media coverage of military issues, and recent and historical conflicts including Iraq, Afghanistan,

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31:40

Mary Hockaday, ex-Controller BBC World Service:...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/10/09

Mary Hockaday, former Controller of BBC World Service, discusses the future of the BBC World Service amid funding pressures and political challenges, the debate over government and defence funding, the challenges of budget cuts, and the global influence and value of the World Service.“For me, the most important thing in all of this is almost wherever the money comes from, that the principles of independence, editorial independence, are absolutely sacrosanct.”Listen to all our episodes here:

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33:58

Stewart Purvis, ex-ITN Chief, on impartiality, Lisa...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/10/01

Stewart Purvis is the former Editor in Chief and Chief Executive of ITN and a former content regulator at Ofcom. We discuss Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s intervention in the debate on GB News, issues of impartiality in news, and the role of Ofcom and government in media regulation. As ITV celebrates its 70th birthday, we also look back on Stewart’s long career, the challenges facing ITN, and his so-called “nipple-gate” moment involving Princess Diana."Lisa Nandy has actually put the case extremely

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37:32

Mark Damazer, former BBC Trustee, on the BBC’s...

Roger Bolton"s Beeb Watch ·

2025/09/24

Mark Damazer is a former controller of Radio 4, Deputy Director of BBC News, BBC trustee, writer, commentator, and chair of the Booker Prizes. We spoke to him about the BBC’s plans for its international audio services, the challenges of monetising content overseas, the implications for the BBC’s global reach and influence, the value of its radio archive, the future of public service broadcasting, and the role of consultation and vision in shaping the BBC’s direction.There's still quite a lot that's

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154 results

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