The Media Show: Iranian harassment of BBC journalists

The Explanation

Iranian authorities are accused of targeting journalists at BBC Persian by intimidating their family members in Iran. Correspondent Behrang Tajdin outlines the psychological toll, allegations of harassment and surveillance in London, and the broader campaign affecting relatives of BBC staff, which the National Union of Journalists has called “proxy punishment.”

Hong Kong’s diminishing press freedom is starkly represented by the case of Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily. The pro-democracy paper was shut down after raids and arrests under a national security law. Sebastien Lai describes his father’s continued solitary confinement and the implications for the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Netflix, known for revolutionising streaming, has announced a surprising shift: live TV channels in France via a partnership with TF1. Minal Modha, from Ampere Analysis, explains why France’s strong preference for linear TV and local content prompted the move.

Gossip website Tattle Life has lost a major libel case brought by a Northern Irish couple. The site’s anonymous founder, Sebastian Bond, has been unmasked. Persephone Bridgman Baker, partner at Carter-Ruck, discusses how the case brings attention to how anonymous online commentary can cross into harassment.

Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Assistant producers: Lucy Wai and Emily Channon