Home  >  The Explanation  >  The Media Show: France’s political crisis
The Explanation
The Media Show: France’s political crisis
The Explanation
Sep 4, 2025

France’s Prime Minister, François Bayrou, has called a parliamentary confidence vote after his proposals to abolish two public holidays triggered widespread opposition. The unrest has coincided with the emergence of a grassroots movement, ‘Bloquons Tout’, which began on messaging apps and is now pushing its message through social media. BBC News Paris Correspondent Hugh Schofield assesses how French media outlets are reporting the crisis, while Paola Sedda, associate professor of Information and Communication Sciences at the University of Lille, examines the protesters’ tactics and their uneasy relationship with journalists.

American Vogue has appointed Chloe Malle as its new head of editorial content, with Anna Wintour remaining in a senior role at Condé Nast. Michael Grynbaum, media correspondent at The New York Times, explains what the change signals for the future of glossy magazines.

And a new book revisits the career of George Ward Price, the Daily Mail correspondent who became known for his extraordinary access to Adolf Hitler in the 1930s. Historian Richard Evans, author of Interviewing Hitler, tells his story.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai Production Coordinator: Rosie Strawbridge Technical Coordinator: Craig Johnson Sound: Mike Campbell

More Episodes



Apr 2, 2026
The Media Show: How far should reporters go with AI?

Artificial intelligence is starting to change how some journalists work, as newsrooms test whether it can help produce more content. One reporter says AI is now helping him write more than 600 articles a year. Nick Lichtenberg, Business Editor at Fortune, Jane Martinson, Professor of Financial Journalism, City, University of London, and Max Goldbart, International TV Co-Editor, Deadline, discuss the pros and cons of letting AI into the newsroom. Two major court cases in the United States have put fresh attention on social media and its impact on young users. In Los Angeles, a jury found Meta and Google liable after deciding their platforms were intentionally designed to be addictive. In New Mexico, Meta was ordered to pay damages over claims it misled users about child safety. Lily Jamali, BBC North America Technology Correspondent, outlines developments from Silicon Valley, and Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Centre for Humane Technology, reflects on the design of features such as infinite scroll. In the UK, new research is being developed to understand how social media affects teenagers. A large study involving thousands of students will test limits on usage, alongside a government-backed pilot looking at restrictions for under-16s. Professor Amy Orben, psychologist at the University of Cambridge, explains how the research will work and what it aims to measure.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Sound engineer: Mark Pickett


22min 59sec

The Media Show: France’s political crisis

--:--
--:--