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Stephen Sackur@stephensackur · Oct 15, 2024

THREAD: 1. PERSONAL NEWS: Today BBC News has announced plans to close @BBCHARDtalk after 3 decades holding the world’s…

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Summary

BBC News announced the closure of HARDtalk, a 30-year-old long-form interview show known for holding world leaders accountable, after the host learned the team will be disbanded. The host expresses sadness about losing an important platform for rigorous, independent journalism at a time when misinformation is prevalent, but remains committed to continuing serious journalism in new ventures.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

  1. #1

    THREAD: 1. PERSONAL NEWS: Today BBC News has announced plans to close @BBCHARDtalk after 3 decades holding the world’s politicians and powerbrokers to account. This is sad news for me personally, but much more important, I think it’s depressing news for the BBC🧵

  2. #2

    2. and all who believe in the importance of independent, rigorous deeply-researched journalism. At a time when disinformation and media manipulation are poisoning public discourse HARDtalk is unique - a long-form interview show with only one mission:

  3. #3

    3. to hold to account those who all too often avoid accountability in their own countries. Anyone who has seen our interviews with Hugo Chavez, Sergei Lavrov, Meles Zenawi, Lula, Nancy Pelosi, Recep Tayep Erdogan, Emmanuel Macron, Imran Khan, Olusegan Abasanjo, & countless others

  4. #4

    4. over the years will know HARDtalk was never just another news show. A brilliant team of producers and researchers is being disbanded just as BBC DG Tim Davie is trying to persuade the British Govt that the journalism of the BBC World Service

  5. #5

    5. is such a vital expression of democratic soft power that the taxpayer must fund it. Whatever the outcome of that, it seems it will be too late to save HARDtalk - for so long a pillar of the World Service schedule.

  6. #6

    6. As for me, from foreign correspondent to HARDtalk inquisitor, I’ve been enormously fortunate to pursue my journalism within the BBC. I know how much HARDtalk has been valued by viewers and listeners all over the world. It’s been my privilege to be a small part of their lives.

  7. #7

    7. Next year I’ll be looking to stretch my legs and embrace new opportunities. My commitment to rigorous exploration of world affairs won’t change. I hope the BBC’s doesn’t either.

  8. #8

    I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. There is SO much love and support for @BBCHARDtalk from round the 🌍. Thank you from all of the team. We’re down, but we’re not out. There is a huge appetite for intelligent, longform interviews and journalism, even if some people doubt it 👊