Media Training update w/c 9th February

Edition 524

Last week Will Lewis sacked 300 of the 800 editorial staff of the Washington Post.


Yesterday he announced he was off too, saying, “difficult decisions have been taken to ensure the sustainable future of the Post.” 

I would respectfully point out Jeff Bezos purchased the paper in 2013 and since then his personal net income has risen by $224 billion.

“We’re witnessing a murder.”
Ashley Parker, a staff writer for The Atlantic and former star reporter at the Post

“This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organizations.”

Marty Baron, former executive editor

A very rich man content to destroy a great newspaper to appease a flawed President he hopes will make him even richer.

Shame on you Bezos.

Sorry for the rant. Morning, it’s Monday 9th February.


Monday: Jimmy Lai sentenced in Hong Kong over national security conviction.

Ghislaine Maxwell scheduled to be deposed in US congressional investigation.


Tuesday: Archbishop of Canterbury address to Church of England General Synod.

Wednesday: NASA’s SpaceX Crew 12 launch (tbc).


Thursday: UK GDP for Q4 2025.


Friday: Munich Security Conference begins.


Saturday: UK Athletics Indoor Championships.

On Mandelson and the Media…

Mic Wright’s writing regularly challenges my instinct to defend the media status quo.

On Mandelson he is laser-sharp.

Last week’s dilemma:

“At 6pm on a Saturday, a TV producer calls. There’s a developing story and they want me live via Zoom at 9pm. No fee is offered. I’m at home. The topic is relevant. But it’s also my weekend, and this isn’t the first time unpaid requests have landed out of hours. I’m thinking about precedent but also personal boundaries.”

This one divided the group. I don’t have particularly strong views, except to ask for a payment which I would definitely advise doing.

 Your verdict:

Perspectives. First up from Elaine: 

”I went for decline politely but that is going to be a personal choice. As a parent of two young children, without any family members nearby, it just wouldn’t be possible for me to drop everything for a media request at a weekend. Perhaps someone without young children, or someone with available childcare might be annoyed to do it at a weekend but would do it anyway to be part of the conversation.”

And from Ellis:

”I selected decline politely, weekends are off limits… I literally wouldn’t care if I lost my job if it tried to come between time with my family and if the producer was not understanding of that (which let’s face it they probably wouldn’t be) then I wouldn’t want to work with them anyway.”

This week’s dilemma: 

“A journalist from a national newspaper has asked for an interview on a topic I know well. I’ve read their coverage and the framing often feels selective, sometimes sensational, and never aligned with how I’d explain the issue. That said, the paper reaches people I rarely get access to. The journalist has promised to quote me accurately.”

Results next week. And as ever, email us with the reason for your choice.

A super long read in The Guardian detailing how a team of journalists covered the outbreak of the Iraq War.


(It’s impossible not to read this and contrast with Bezos’ behaviour over the last week.)

Accounts about (and by) photographer Sean Smith and embedded reporter Audrey Gillan are particularly vivid.

Footnotes: 

UK newspaper cover prices are up 10.2% since January 2025 according to Press Gazette.

I post this without comment…

Bitter-sweet viewing given the events of the last week, but the story of Woodward/Bernstein’s Watergate triumph All The President’s Men is one heck of a film. 

In the mood for a reminder of better days at the Washington Post? 

It’s available to rent from …Amazon Prime. I give up.

Finally, the Mutt Photo: In contrast to Theo’s elegance in last week’s Briefing, Stan and Leo are back, and inelegant in every way imaginable…

Be part of the MMB. Thoughts on this week’s content, or interviews you’ve seen, heard, or (best of all) done, please let us know.

Back next Monday. Have a fantastic week.

All at Inside Edge