Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

Nov 13 2024 105 ep. 28 mins 307
Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch Podcast artwork

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.

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Prof Cathy Johnson discusses TV distribution and the dangers of exclusion

Nov 13 2024 28 mins  
Professor Catherine Johnson from the University of Leeds discusses her role on the recently announced DCMS committee, which is examining the future of TV distribution. New research indicates that some viewers could be excluded from the general shift towards online viewership. We also explore the rise of YouTube, ways to ensure access to public service content, and how a household t

Prof Steven Barnett discusses BBC chair Samir Shah's speech: devolve, democratise, depoliticise

Nov 08 2024 29 mins  
Steven Barnett, Professor of Communications at the University of Westminster, discusses BBC Chair Samir Shah's inaugural speech. We explore what devolving, democratising, and depoliticising means, loosening regulation, re-evaluating the roles and remits of other public service broadcasters, and alternative funding models. “I'm not sure a permanent charter is the way to go, b

Jamie Angus, ex director of BBC World Service discusses the budget announcement on World Service funding and BBC cuts

Oct 30 2024 31 mins  
Jamie Angus is the former director of the BBC World Service and the former editor of 'Today' and 'Newsnight' who now works in the Middle East. We discuss what the budget announcement means for funding of the World Service, why HardTalk makes the world 'a less stupid place', original journalism, the unintended consequences of commercialisation and US election and Middle East coverag

Richard Sambrook ex BBC Director of News and the World Service on BBC cuts, disinformation and World Service funding

Oct 22 2024 31 mins  
Richard Sambrook, former Director of BBC News and the World Service, and now an Emeritus Professor of journalism at Cardiff University discusses the challenges the BBC faces in dealing with the rise of disinformation, the balance between free speech and responsibility, the BBC's 'follow the sun' strategy, World Service funding and the impact of budget cuts on BBC News. "I do h

Gareth Benest, International Broadcasting Trust, on shrinking global coverage

Oct 17 2024 29 mins  
In the same week that BBC Director General Tim Davie pitched for an increase in government funding for the BBC World Service, while simultaneously axing the global interview programme Hard Talk in another round of cuts, we speak with Gareth Benest, Director of Advocacy at the International Broadcasting Trust. We discuss the decline in international coverage by UK broadcasters, his

Jim Waterson, former Guardian media editor, discusses his new venture, billionaire media owners, and radically rethinking public service broadcasting

Oct 09 2024 32 mins  
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Mark Urban ex BBC Newsnight diplomatic and defence editor on BBC coverage of the Middle East, Newsnight changes and life outside the BBC

Oct 01 2024 34 mins  
Mark Urban spent many years as the diplomatic and defence editor at BBC Newsnight before leaving in May, after 34 years at the corporation. Prior to joining the BBC, Mark was the defence correspondent for The Independent newspaper for four years. He is the author of several military books and served briefly in the British Army. He is now a writer for The Sunday Times. We discuss al

Lawyer Trevor Asserson discusses his report which criticises the BBC for bias against Israel in its Middle East coverage

Sep 27 2024 39 mins  
The controversial Asserson Report sparked headlines in The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail for its critique of the BBC's Middle East coverage at the height of the Israel-Hamas war. The report has drawn both praise and sharp criticism. We’re joined by the report's author, British-Israeli lawyer Trevor Asserson, to discuss its origins, funding, methodology and its interpretation

David Aaronovitch broadcaster and journalist on the Jewish Chronicle, The Asserson Report alleging BBC bias and media coverage of the Middle East

Sep 19 2024 33 mins  
Journalist and broadcaster David Aaronovitch worked for the BBC in a senior capacity before becoming a columnist for The Times and the presenter of numerous radio programs, including Radio 4’s The Briefing Room. He now publishes longer articles on Substack under Notes from the Underground and contributes to Tortoise Media. In this episode, we discuss the fallout from the Jewish C

Richard Ayre, former senior BBC executive, on BBC Director-General Tim Davie and Chair Samir Shah's parliamentary appearance

Sep 10 2024 34 mins  
Richard Ayre spent thirty-five years at the BBC, serving as the former controller of editorial policy, deputy chief executive of BBC News, and a BBC Trustee. Richard is also a former member of the OFCOM Content Board and is currently the chair of the UK's independent press regulator, Impress.We discuss BBC Director-General Tim Davie and BBC Chair Dr. Samir Shah’s appearance befor