Talk Media

It’s our 30th show! Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by Ayesha Hazarika (broadcaster, political commentator and Times Radio host) to discuss ‘Baroness’ Ruth Davidson, topical stories related to press freedom and the backlash to 'Mulan' (now streaming on Disney+). Stuart, Eamonn and Ayesha also share their personal media recommendations.  Ayesha hosts weekend drive time (4-7pm) on Times Radio: ht...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Jim Cusick, editor of openMedia at openDemocracy, to discuss Douglas Ross and food standards (following a recent BBC Radio Scotland interview), the media response to the death of Mercy Baguma in Glasgow and Tim Davie, the new BBC Director-General. Stuart, Eamonn and Jim also share their personal media recommendations.  ENTER THE GIVEAWAY (RHA TrueConnect2 Wireless E...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Tamara Keith, NPR White House Correspondent, to discuss the Republican National Convention, reporting on US politics and the fallout from ‘The Trial of Alex Salmond’. Stuart, Eamonn and Tamara also share their personal media recommendations.  ENTER THE GIVEAWAY (RHA TrueConnect2 Wireless Earbuds): www.thebiglight.com/talkmedia-giveaway RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: 'Sear...

Stuart and Eamonn discuss BBC2's 'The Trial of Alex Salmond', newspaper apologies and the virtual Democratic Convention. Stuart and Eamonn also share their personal media recommendations. There's no guest commentator this week - enjoy the double act! ENTER THE GIVEAWAY (RHA TrueConnect2 Wireless Earbuds): www.thebiglight.com/talkmedia-giveaway RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: 'Humanity' on Creative Boom h...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by journalist Angela Haggerty to discuss ongoing controversy surrounding exam results in Scotland, the future of the USA (in light of a recent Rolling Stone article by Wade Davis titled, ‘The Unravelling of America’) and media coverage of migrant crossings. Stuart, Eamonn and Angela also share their personal media recommendations.  READ ‘The Unravelling of America’ (Wa...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by writer and director Jon S. Baird (‘Filth’, ‘Stan and Ollie’) to discuss the sale or ban of TikTok in the US, email hacking, the KGB and controversy surrounding school exam results in Scotland. Stuart, Eamonn and Jon also share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: ‘Shuggie Bain’ book by Douglas Stuart www.goodreads.com/book/show/52741293-shu...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by broadcaster, political columnist and podcast host (‘The Rock N Roll Politics Podcast’) Steve Richards to discuss media moguls, Nicola Sturgeon’s press briefings and Anti-Semitism on social media sites. Stuart, Eamonn and Steve also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart: ‘Fear City: New York vs The Mafia’ series www.netflix.com/title/80218338 ‘Miraculous...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by writer and film-maker Raisah Ahmed to discuss the publication of the Russia Report, Kanye West’s presidential campaign and controversy over the the lack of diversity in TV drama screenwriting. Stuart, Eamonn and Raisah also share their personal media recommendations. Raisah: ‘Stateless’ series on Netflix www.netflix.com/title/81206211 Eamonn: ‘Change or Die: The Thr...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Shona Craven (writer and columnist) to discuss the Johnny Depp trial, Chris Grayling's appointment as head of the Intelligence Committee and Donald Trump's recent commutation of Roger Stone. Stuart, Eamonn and Shona also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart: 'Freedom Is a Constant Struggle' by Angela Davis https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25330108-f...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by A.L. Kennedy (novelist, columnist, commentator and comedian) to discuss freedom of speech, the reopening of pubs and the recent protest at the Scottish border. Stuart, Eamonn and Alison also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart: Hamilton musical https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/movies/hamilton/3uPmBHWlO6HJ  Eamonn: The Kominsky Method drama https://www...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Nanette Burstein (director of the new Hulu documentary, 'Hillary') to discuss COVID milestones (following reports that the global number of cases has reached ten million) leadership during lockdown, Facebook advertising and diversity in Hollywood. Stuart, Eamonn and Nanette also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart: 'Barrowland Ballads: A Recollective...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Bonnie Greer (playwright, novelist, critic and broadcaster) to discuss TikTok's impact on President Trump’s rally in Tulsa, discussions around Joe Biden's pick for Vice President, subscription news and blackface in popular culture. Stuart, Eamonn and Bonnie also share their media recommendations. Stuart: Vietnam War Songs (@VietnamWarSongs) on Twitter twitter.com/Vi...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Nazir Afzal (former Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England) to discuss renewed scrutiny of Dominic Cummings and his trip to Durham, Marcus Rashford's successful school meals campaign and the race to become the next US President. Stuart, Eamonn and Nazir also share their media recommendations. Stuart: 'Da 5 Bloods' on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/8104...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Briana Pegado (director of Creative Edinburgh) to discuss the politics of statues, ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew's past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and criticism directed towards J.K Rowling on Twitter. Stuart, Eamonn and Briana go on to share media recommendations. Stuart: 'The Bible Belt' by Ricky Ross http://www.rickyross.com/blog/?p=4957 Br...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Ahmed Baba (Co-Founder & President of Rantt Media) to discuss protests in the US (in response the murder of George Floyd) new media voices and wider issues related to racial equality. Stuart, Eamonn and Ahmed also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart: Washington Post article, ‘This can’t be happening’: An oral history of 48 surreal, violent, biblical m...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Ayesha Hazarika (former Labour Party political adviser and stand-up comedian, now editor of the Londoner Diary at the Evening Standard) to discuss the controversy surrounding Dominic Cummings and his trip to Durham, the Skye care home deaths exposed in The New York Times and the ethics of door-stepping. Stuart, Eamonn and Ayesha also share their personal media recom...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Amy Macdonald to discuss media portrayals of the First Minister, Scottish Football (following a strange end to the season) and the music industry’s response to the pandemic. Stuart, Eamonn and Amy also share their personal media recommendations. Amy: ‘The Last Dance’ Netflix series https://www.netflix.com/title/80203144 Eamonn: John Grisham and Stephen King In Conve...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by musician and broadcaster Ricky Ross to discuss the findings of a recent BBC Disclosure investigation into the Scottish Government’s lockdown timeline, Facebook’s new Oversight Board and controversial remarks made by Bryan Adams on Instagram. Stuart, Eamonn and Ricky also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart's recommendation: 'Subculture: The Meaning of...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by cultural commentator Shona Craven to discuss celebrity content during lockdown, controversy surrounding Professor Neil Ferguson, suspicious deaths in Russia and challenges for large companies including Disney, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Stuart, Eamonn and Shona also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart: New York Times article, 'The Morgue Wor...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by broadcaster and reporter Zara Janjua to discuss controversy surrounding a recent BBC Panorama, ongoing challenges for the Scottish newspaper industry and issues related to the NHS’s contact-tracing app and Zoom. Stuart, Eamonn and Zara also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart: Netflix documentary, ‘Tell Me Who I Am’ www.netflix.com/title/80214706 Eamo...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by author Val McDermid to discuss recent press criticism of the UK government’s handling of COVID-19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decision to end all cooperation with the UK tabloids and anti-lockdown protests in the US. Eamonn and Val also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart's recommendation: Bloody Scotland session, 'Ian Rankin interviewed by Nicola...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by journalist Gayle Anderson to discuss President Trump's turbulent press conference on Monday, reactions to a controversial Herald article on domestic abuse, and the news that Ofcom is assessing comments made by Eamonn Holmes about a conspiracy linking 5G to COVID-19. Stuart, Eamonn and Gayle also share their personal media recommendations.  Stuart's recommendation:...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale (now director of the John Smith Centre for Public Service) to discuss the resignation of the Chief Medical Officer, stories related to statistics, and issues surrounding the transparency of pressure groups (following a recent controversy involving the TaxPayers’ Alliance). Stuart, Eamonn and Kezia also share their personal...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by comedian and author Janey Godley to discuss the growth of online communities and activities, media reactions to the fallout from the trial of Alex Salmond, and tactics for dealing with online trolls. Stuart, Eamonn and Janey also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart's recommendations: Online streaming service, 'Means TV' https://means.tv Irish arts and...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by journalist Marianne Taylor (The Herald) to discuss the Prime Minister’s Monday night address to the nation (announcing a UK-wide 'lockdown'), under-reported stories, and reactions to Alex Salmond's acquittal. Stuart, Eamonn and Marianne also share their media recommendations. Marianne’s recommendation: BBC Sounds, ‘Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton’ www.bbc.co.uk...