The Media Club · 10 January 2025 · 45 min

The End Of Fact Checking?

With Alex Hudson, Paul Robinson, John Dryden

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• Meta Removes Fact-Checking
• Global Scraps Regional Radio
• Bauer Buys Clear Channel Europe
• Streaming Platforms and Live Sports
• Resurgence of Audio Drama
• BBC Drama Funding Challenges

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by journalist Alex Hudson and broadcast consultant Paul Robinson to discuss Meta's decision to remove fact-checking from Facebook, the implications for news organisations, and the broader media landscape. The conversation also covers Global's scrapping of regional radio, Bauer's acquisition of Clear Channel Europe, and the growing trend of streaming platforms investing in live sports. Later, John Dryden of Goldhawk Productions discusses the resurgence of audio drama and the demand for Hollywood-style storytelling in podcast form.

Key takeaways

• Meta announced it will stop fact-checking content on Facebook, moving to a community notes model similar to X.
• Global is ending local and regional radio programming, closing offices and consolidating output in London.
• Bauer acquired Clear Channel Europe for $625 million to expand its out-of-home advertising business.
• Streaming platforms like Disney and DAZN are increasingly investing in live sports rights.
• Goldhawk Productions is producing audio dramas with A-list talent, including a secret Marvel project.

In this episode

• Intro and Guest Recommendations0:00 · Matt introduces the show and guests, and they recommend Shanaz Gulzar and Tony Chambers.
• Meta Fact-Checking Removal3:05 · Discussion on Meta's decision to stop fact-checking and its implications.
• Bauer Buys Clear Channel8:59 · Analysis of Bauer's acquisition of Clear Channel Europe.
• Global Ends Regional Radio15:08 · Discussion on Global's decision to scrap regional programming.
• Streaming and Live Sports18:25 · Paul Robinson discusses Disney and DAZN's moves into live sports.
• Audio Drama with John Dryden25:32 · Interview with John Dryden about the resurgence of audio drama.
• Quiz: Big Dogs New Tricks35:00 · Quiz segment with questions on EastEnders, Beast Games, and Apple AI.

Notable quotes

“It just didn't work, did it?”

Alex Hudson · 0:00

“It's not Facebook's whole business model. It's not Metatol's business model. They make money from outrage rather than from factual information.”

Alex Hudson · 0:00

“I think it's a bit of a gimmick.”

John Dryden · 0:00

Discussed

Meta · Facebook · Global · Bauer Media · Disney · DAZN · BBC · Goldhawk Productions

Also mentioned: Mark Zuckerberg · Donald Trump · Elon Musk · Bob Iger · Tony Chambers · Shanaz Gulzar · Piers Morgan · Tim Davie · Jane Featherstone · Bob Shennon · Kim Cattrall · Ed Harris · John Lithgow · Buzz Aldrin · Rupert Murdoch · Clear Channel · Netflix · Amazon · PodX · Radiotopia · Panoply · Sky · Comcast · Warner Bros. Discovery

Mentioned or recommended

• Passenger List · podcast · Goldhawk Productions
• Central Intelligence · podcast · Goldhawk Productions
• Beast Games · tv show · MrBeast
• Squid Game Season 2 · tv show · Hwang Dong-hyuk
• EastEnders · tv show · BBC
• Bradford City of Culture 2025 · event
• Conflict of Interest · podcast · Imperial War Museums