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Channel 5 and the Leveson Inquiry

Channel 5's Jeff Ford on the audience for Big Brother, Channel 4's decision to drop Ortis Deley as the main athletics host and what should the Leveson Inquiry be asking?

Celebrity Big Brother has been a ratings smash for Channel 5, sometimes pulling in bigger audiences than Channel 4 and ITV in the prime time spot. But will this success continue with the 12th series of Big Brother, which features members of the public? Channel 5's director of programmes Jeff Ford joins Steve Hewlett to discuss what's next for Channel 5.

Channel 4 dropped Ortis Deley as the main presenter of the World Athletics Championships after he struggled with the live format and forgot athletes' names. But why did Channel 4 choose a presenter with little relevant specialist sports knowledge or live experience to host the high profile event? Veteran sports presenter Des Lynam explains why he thinks Deley was the wrong choice, while Channel 4's director of creative diversity Stuart Cosgrove explains the channel's approach to presenting sport.

The Leveson Inquiry, which reconvened yesterday, has been set up to investigate the practices and ethics of the media following the phone hacking scandal. The inquiry will look at journalists' relationships with politicians and the police. But is there a danger that more regulation could result in draconian restrictions for journalists? Sean O'Neil, crime and security editor at The Times and Andrew Gowers, former editor of the Financial Times discuss what the panel should be asking.

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30 minutes

Last on

Wed 7 Sep 2011 13:30

Broadcast

  • Wed 7 Sep 2011 13:30

Podcast