The Media Club · 22 September 2023 · 35 min

Rupert Steps Back, Toxic Brand and RTS roundup

With Charlotte Tobitt, Chris Lochery, Kate Bulkley

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• Rupert Murdoch Steps Back
• Russell Brand Allegations
• RTS Cambridge Convention
• AI in Media
• Local News Strikes
• GB News Controversies
• Media Bill and Regulation
• Radio Times Centenary

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Charlotte Tobitt from Press Gazette and Chris Lochery from Popbitch to discuss the week's major media stories. The main topics include Rupert Murdoch stepping back from Fox and News Corp, with his son Lachlan taking over, and the media's handling of the Russell Brand allegations, from the Dispatches documentary to broadcasters' responses. The show also covers the RTS Cambridge Convention, where Kate Bulkley reports on key discussions about AI, the media bill, and the industry's reaction to the Murdoch news. Additionally, the episode touches on the ongoing strike at National World titles over pay, and includes a media quiz segment.

Key takeaways

• Rupert Murdoch stepped down as chairman of Fox and News Corp, becoming chairman emeritus, with his son Lachlan taking over.
• Broadcasters including BBC and Channel 4 pulled Russell Brand content following allegations, and internal reviews are underway.
• The RTS Cambridge Convention featured discussions on AI, the media bill, and the government's plans to grow creative industries.
• Journalists at National World titles went on strike over a 4.5% pay offer below inflation.
• The media quiz covered topics including Radio Times' centenary, Fox News defamation settlement, and Rugby World Cup ratings.

In this episode

• Intro and News Roundup0:00 · Matt introduces the show and covers Elon Musk's plan to charge X users and Stephen Fry's voice deepfake.
• Main Discussion: Rupert Murdoch and Russell Brand0:00 · Panel discusses Murdoch's legacy and the media's handling of Russell Brand allegations.
• RTS Cambridge Convention Report0:00 · Kate Bulkley reports on key discussions at the RTS conference.
• Local News Strikes0:00 · Charlotte explains the National World strike over pay.
• Media Quiz0:00 · Quiz segment with numbers and stories.
• Outro and Promotions0:00 · Wrap-up and promotion of The London Podcast Studios.

Notable quotes

“I love a bit of managed recklessness.”

Matt Deegan · 0:00

“It's a real binfire of conflicting factors.”

Chris Lochery · 0:00

“Unfortunately, we are just MSM, so people will just assume this is part of the conspiracy.”

Matt Deegan · 0:00

“I was only there a month as the head of radio at that point in audio.”

Tim Davie · 0:00

“Fix the economy and all boats will rise.”

Carolyn McCall · 0:00

Discussed

Rupert Murdoch · Lachlan Murdoch · Russell Brand · BBC · Channel 4 · Fox News · News Corp · National World

Also mentioned: Tim Davie · Alex Mahon · Carolyn McCall · Lucy Frazer · David Montgomery · Dan Wootton · Beverley Turner · Angelos Frangopoulos · James Murdoch · Michael Wolff · Stephen Fry · Elon Musk · Catherine Ryan · Andrew Sachs · Lesley Douglas · James Cordwell · Gabriel Sherman · Matt Kelly · Matthew d'Ancona · ITV · GB News · TalkTV · Reach plc · Newsquest

Mentioned or recommended

• Dispatches: Russell Brand documentary · tv show · Channel 4
• RTS Cambridge Convention · event
• The Two Mats · podcast · Matt Kelly and Matthew d'Ancona
• Radio Times · publication
• Harry Potter audiobooks · book · J.K. Rowling
• The Crown · tv show · Peter Morgan
• Rugby World Cup 2023 · event
• The Muppets · tv show · Jim Henson
• Comedy Central Roast Battle · tv show
• Michael Wolff's new book on Trump · book · Michael Wolff