Fascinating documentary on the role of the media

The BBC three parter on Rupert Murdoch is well worth watching if you haven't seen it. Not just because the last series of Succession is coming!

I find that students love discussing the role of the media. For my part, I always argue that its role his over-stated. Thus we can get some good debate going in preparation for tackling questions such as on paper 1 for the Edexcel spec in 2021 (is the role of the media exaggerated?).

The first episode is particularly good on the relationship between the owner of Britain's best selling newspaper, and Tony Blair at the apex of New Labour. As the blurb states: "This episode charts the growing relationship between Rupert Murdoch and Tony Blair, and the Murdoch press and Blair’s Labour Party - a relationship that becomes almost uncomfortably close. Critics claim that Murdoch’s organisation cultivated too much influence over the British government – lobbying for war in Iraq, enjoying open access to the prime minister and favourable treatment when it comes to business. Supporters, however, claim that this is how business works, not least when you are as influential as Rupert Murdoch."

Available on iPlayer for the next 12 months - ideal flipped classroom exercise.

Trailer is below. As is the trailer for season 4 of Succession.