The Media Club · 24 March 2022 · 38 min

Ed Vaizey on Ofcom and Channel 4, BBC boost to Ukraine output

With Maggie Brown, Anne Charles, Ed Vaizey

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• BBC Funding and Ukraine Coverage
• Ofcom Chair Appointment
• Channel 4 Privatisation
• Journalist Sources and Safety
• Regional Press Consolidation
• RT UK Licence Revocation

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by media writer Maggie Brown and audio consultant Anne Charles to discuss the BBC's £4 million government funding boost for its Ukraine and Russia news services, the race for the Ofcom chair (with Michael Grade tipped to get the job), and the potential privatisation of Channel 4. The episode includes an interview with former Culture Secretary Ed Vaizey, who discusses his own application for the Ofcom chair and his views on Channel 4's future. The panel also covers Newsquest's acquisition of Archant, the importance of protecting journalist sources, and Ofcom's revocation of RT's UK licence. The show ends with a media quiz and listener survey promotion.

Key takeaways

• The BBC receives £4 million from the government to support its Ukraine and Russia news services.
• Michael Grade is tipped to become the next chair of Ofcom.
• Ed Vaizey discusses his application for the Ofcom chair and his views on Channel 4 privatisation.
• Newsquest acquires Archant, raising concerns about regional journalism jobs.
• Ofcom revokes RT's UK broadcast licence.

In this episode

• Intro and News Round-up0:00 · Matt introduces the show and runs through the week's media news.
• Interview with Ed Vaizey12:00 · Ed Vaizey discusses his Ofcom chair application and Channel 4 privatisation.
• Panel Discussion on BBC Funding and Ukraine20:00 · Maggie and Anne discuss the BBC's funding boost and its Ukraine coverage.
• Newsquest/Archant Deal30:00 · Discussion on the acquisition of Archant by Newsquest.
• Media Quiz40:00 · Quiz on media law stories.
• Outro and Listener Survey50:00 · Wrap-up and promotion of listener survey and Patreon.

Notable quotes

“I think the journalists have actually saved the BBC by providing such evidence of good proper consistent as far as they can do it impartial reporting”

Maggie Brown · 0:00

“I don't think it's a completely given thing that he will go ahead with privatization right at this moment in time when the media is in such a state of kind of require-you know, it's a required thing now to have proper news and to have respectable people making it.”

Maggie Brown · 0:00

“I'm not convinced that we're all conservative with a small C.”

Anne Charles · 0:00

“I stand with the journalists on this.”

Maggie Brown · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · Ofcom · Channel 4

Also mentioned: Michael Grade · Lise Doucet · Paul Dacre · Bob Shennan · Jonah Peretti · Mark Thompson · Lionel Barber · Chris Mullin · Alex Mahon · Nadine Dorries · John Whittingdale · Andrew Harding · Quentin Somerville · Michael Holmes · Dawn Airey · Tracy Emin · James Purnell · Newsquest · Archant · Reach · RT · BuzzFeed News · The Sun · ITV

Mentioned or recommended

• Trauma Reporting for Journalists · book
• The New European · publication
• Eastern Daily Press · publication
• Anglia Television · tv show
• Ukrainecast · other · BBC