The Explanation
Feb 12, 2026
A new book focuses on the future of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire after a legal dispute within his family. The case has renewed attention on Murdoch’s long-standing influence in British newspapers and the role of Fox News in American politics. Gabriel Sherman, author of Bonfire of the Murdochs, sets out the background to the succession battle and the company’s direction under Lachlan Murdoch.
A week of intense reporting on Sir Keir Starmer has led to debate about the role of political journalism in the UK. Some commentators have argued that reporting may have fuelled the sense of crisis which followed further revelations in the Epstein files. Simon Nixon, author of the Wealth of Nations newsletter, and Catherine Neilan, Whitehall editor at The Observer, debate how political reporting works.
The Washington Post has announced around 300 job losses, cutting roughly a third of its newsroom. Some sections, including sport, have closed and foreign reporting has been reduced. The changes have prompted concern about the paper’s future and about pressures facing major news organisations. Marissa Lang, former Enterprise reporter at The Washington Post and member of The Washington Post Guild bargaining committee, and Cameron Barr, former senior managing editor of the paper and now Investigations editor at Mill Media, describe the impact of the cuts and the wider challenges for the industry.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Dan Hardoon Researcher: Ruth Waites Sound engineer: Jack Wilfan Technical co-ordinator: Akik Rahman
