Observer's editor-in-chief to deliver MacTaggart lecture on media landscape
He follows in the footsteps of former keynote speakers that include: Dear England playwright James Graham; I May Destroy You screenwriter Michaela Coel; media mogul Rupert Murdoch; former Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis; and broadcaster Louis Theroux.
Mr Harding said: 'Some years ago, I covered the MacTaggart lectures as a reporter and know how important it is for television, journalism and the wider creative industries.
A post shared by Edinburgh TV Festival (@edinburghtvfest)
'I am hugely honoured to be asked to give the lecture in its 50th year. I hope it will be a moment to call out the challenges to truth and trust – and suggest how we can renew the media to meet them.'
Before he co-founded Tortoise Media, Mr Harding was editor of The Times from 2007 to 2012 and was in charge of the BBC's news and current affairs programming from 2013 up until the beginning of 2018.
He also co-presented On Background on the BBC World Service and wrote the book Alpha Dogs: How Political Spin Became A Global Business.
Jane Tranter, chief executive of production company Bad Wolf and advisory chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival 2025, said: 'James' demonstrable determination to protect truth and trust in public service broadcasting and the media – coupled with his belief that in order to protect we need to change – makes him the MacTaggart lecturer that we need in this seismic year.
'In James' hands, our lecture promises to be a provocative, kick-ass and insightful view from a visionary leader. We couldn't ask for more.'
The festival, which is celebrating 50 years of its MacTaggart lecture, brings together leading industry figures and a broad, diverse range of delegates to debate the issues facing the television industry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
James Whale's final words about 'hard' months and Christmas sadness in posthumous column
James Whale joked that the 'plug's been pulled on me' before his humour turned to heartache, writing that he struggled to accept that he would not being alive to see Christmas Tragic James Whale spoke about his Christmas regrets before joking about hanging out with some broadcasting heroes in the sky as his typically light-hearted final words were revealed. The legendary radio host died at the age of 74 last week following a brave battle with cancer which spanned five gruelling years. The former Celebrity Big Brother star was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000 and had documented his journey up until his final days. In his posthumous last column for the Daily Express, which was written in the weeks before his death, James offered a departing message and heartbreakingly told fans that he didn't want to die. He reflected on his extraordinary life and his fight against cancer as he offered some final political thoughts. "If you're reading this then I'm dead," he bluntly started this article. "I've always wanted to write that. Well, obviously not always. But, bear with me because there's something very tempting, after more than half a century as a journalist and broadcaster, of having the final word! "And this I suppose is it, my friends. You're reading this and I'm in the great radio studio in the sky, hanging out (hopefully) with some of my own broadcasting heroes. 'm writing at the age of 74 facing, probably, the last few weeks of my life. I can't pretend it's not hard on me or my lovely wife, Nadine, and my family and friends, too. "But it feels necessary, and I hope they'll understand. I'm sure they'll be chuckling. After all, I couldn't be silenced in life and, well, even now I'm still banging on! Of course, I don't want to die. I first beat kidney cancer 25 years ago despite being given a 50-50 chance of survival. "Then five years ago, my cancer came back and this time round it's been more of a score-draw. It's spread to my spine, my brain, all over really. I've made a career of cutting people off. It was pretty revolutionary back in the day when I first introduced live phone calls to my late-night show at Metro Radio in Newcastle. Now, I suppose, the plug's been pulled on me!" But with the humour soon came heartbreak, and James then spoke about not being alive to see Christmas. "It happens to us all in the end. But without wanting to blow my own trumpet (though if I can't blow it now, when can I?), I think I've probably beaten the odds several times already just by lasting this long. "It's safe to say though that I won't be around to celebrate Christmas and, while that makes me sadder than I can say – there have been plenty of tears – it's the hand I've been dealt." "I'd love to be around to see if Reform UK wins the next general election and whether my old friend and sparring partner Nigel Farage can sort out Britain's many problems; learn whether Keir Starmer even makes it to the elections – let alone Rachel Reeves! "And, touch wood, to see Ukraine free once again from Russian warmongering. But in the grand scheme of things, I've not had a bad run. Even if I've not quite made the average age for men of my generation (82, since you ask), I've comfortably out-performed the expectations of those born only a decade or so earlier than I was." Last Monday, his wife, Nadine confirmed that James died earlier that day. She told the publication: "James slipped away very gently this morning. It was a beautiful passing, and he left with a smile on his face." In a statement shared on social media, TalkTV said: "We are sad to announce that James Whale MBE died earlier today, aged 74, following a lengthy battle with cancer. As a broadcasting legend for over 50 years, James will be missed by so many at TALK and the wider News UK family."
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Posh couple used to £12k breaks last five minutes on Zante strip night out in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday
The wealthy duo have had 29 holidays in the two years they've been together POOR SHOW Posh couple used to £12k breaks last five minutes on Zante strip night out in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday A RICH COUPLE used to champagne dinners on a yacht lasted five minutes on the Zante strip in Channel 5's Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday. James and Isabella, both in their 30s, lead a glamorous life in Barcelona, and have had a whopping 29 holidays during their two-year relationship. Advertisement 4 James and Isabella lead a lavish life in Barcelona Credit: Channel 5 4 They were not impressed with the budget Zante accomodation Credit: Channel 5 4 Isabella struggled to cope with the party lifestyle Credit: Channel 5 Superyacht broker James and lawyer Isabella think nothing of spending £12,000 on a single trip, so got the shock of their life when they were sent on a budget break to the Zante strip. The jetsetting duo, who describe being in a nightclub as their personal hell were horrified to discover that they would be staying in a "stinky" self-catered apartment right in the centre of the Greek Island's party capital Laganas. Used to five-star comfort, the couple described the bed as like "laying on a piece of wood", and the bathroom as "disgusting". "I believe this is way out of anybody's comfort zone", Brazilian beauty Isabella said, looking visibly repulsed. Advertisement The couple considered throwing the towel in before they'd even stayed one night in the hotel, despite their holiday companions, cash strapped single mums Gemma and Stacey describing the place as "lovely". The Hertfordshire besties, both 44, and the posh couple got off to a rocky start, with James declaring to the camera that the women are "not our type of people". And James and Isabella couldn't believe their ears when they found out that their budget for the trip would be just 135 euros. "That's usually what we spend on one dinner", Isabella said. Advertisement After probing more in to the couple's lavish lifestyle, Gemma and Stacey, who both struggle to feed the six kids they have between them on their £1000 a month Universal Credit money, were left gobsmacked to learn that James and Isabella have £5,000 a month in disposable income. Used to dining on salmon and avocado, the wealthy duo were less than impressed when party lovers Gemma and Stacey ordered them both a full English. Single mum surviving on just £125 a MONTH after bills fights tears at £250-a-night hotel on Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday "It's not healthy", said Isabella, turning her nose up at the fry up. However, the couple were given a reality check after seeing Gemma and Stacey, who sometimes can't even afford a tin of beans, haggle to get their breakfast's cheaper. Advertisement "It's not an easy life for them", Isabella realised. Despite at first being unwilling to join in, Isabella and James did admit to having fun at a budget day out to a waterpark. However, their worst nightmare came true when Gemma and Stacey dragged them out to a night on the strip. After being disgusted by the neon lights and cheap shots on offer at the nightclubs, Isabella and James decided to make a French exit before even entering a single bar. Advertisement Sick of living on the cheap, the couple blew their strict budget, and spent £40 a takeaway. "This is the best part of the holiday", James said. Despite admitting that the trip wasn't up their street at all, the posh pair did admit that the break had really made them think about the value of money. 4 The duo lasted just five minutes on the Zante trip Credit: Channel 5
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
Posh couple used to £12k breaks last five minutes on Zante strip night out in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday
A RICH COUPLE used to champagne dinners on a yacht lasted five minutes on the Zante strip in Channel 5's Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday. James and Isabella, both in their 30s, lead a glamorous life in Barcelona, and have had a whopping 29 holidays during their two-year relationship. 4 4 4 Superyacht broker James and lawyer Isabella think nothing of spending £12,000 on a single trip, so got the shock of their life when they were sent on a budget break to the Zante strip. The jetsetting duo, who describe being in a nightclub as their personal hell were horrified to discover that they would be staying in a "stinky" self-catered apartment right in the centre of the Greek Island's party capital Laganas. Used to five-star comfort, the couple described the bed as like "laying on a piece of wood", and the bathroom as "disgusting". "I believe this is way out of anybody's comfort zone", Brazilian beauty Isabella said, looking visibly repulsed. The couple considered throwing the towel in before they'd even stayed one night in the hotel, despite their holiday companions, cash strapped single mums Gemma and Stacey describing the place as "lovely". The Hertfordshire besties, both 44, and the posh couple got off to a rocky start, with James declaring to the camera that the women are "not our type of people". And James and Isabella couldn't believe their ears when they found out that their budget for the trip would be just 135 euros. "That's usually what we spend on one dinner", Isabella said. After probing more in to the couple's lavish lifestyle, Gemma and Stacey, who both struggle to feed the six kids they have between them on their £1000 a month Universal Credit money, were left gobsmacked to learn that James and Isabella have £5,000 a month in disposable income. Used to dining on salmon and avocado, the wealthy duo were less than impressed when party lovers Gemma and Stacey ordered them both a full English. Single mum surviving on just £125 a MONTH after bills fights tears at £250-a-night hotel on Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday "It's not healthy", said Isabella, turning her nose up at the fry up. However, the couple were given a reality check after seeing Gemma and Stacey, who sometimes can't even afford a tin of beans, haggle to get their breakfast's cheaper. "It's not an easy life for them", Isabella realised. Despite at first being unwilling to join in, Isabella and James did admit to having fun at a budget day out to a waterpark. However, their worst nightmare came true when Gemma and Stacey dragged them out to a night on the strip. After being disgusted by the neon lights and cheap shots on offer at the nightclubs, Isabella and James decided to make a French exit before even entering a single bar. Sick of living on the cheap, the couple blew their strict budget, and spent £40 a takeaway. "This is the best part of the holiday", James said. Despite admitting that the trip wasn't up their street at all, the posh pair did admit that the break had really made them think about the value of money. 4
