We discuss the rapid rise of social media and digital platforms as primary news sources, the decline of editorial standards in legacy media, and how this has created fertile ground for misinformation and disinformation. Unlike traditional newspapers or broadcasters, algorithm-driven platforms personalise news feeds, removing the randomness that once exposed people to a wider range of views and stories.
The conversation explores how customised news shapes opinions, reinforces existing beliefs, and changes the way political and social issues are understood. We also ask what responsibility platforms, regulators, and journalists have in rebuilding trust and protecting the public interest in an age where algorithms increasingly act as editors.
This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in media literacy, journalism, democracy, and the future of news in the UK.
The Struggle for Originality in National Newsrooms: Why All News Seems the Same
Henry North reflects on how newsroom cuts and digital shortcuts are eroding the originality and diversity of stories we see.
