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The Media Show

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The Media Show: End of Page 3, Josie Cunningham's Agent, Sir Alan Moses on Press Feedom

New Chair of IPSO; the Duchess's bottom.

21/01/2015

End of Page 3, Josie Cunningham's Agent, Sir Alan Moses on Press Feedom

BBC Radio 4 - The Media Show, End of Page 3, Josie Cunningham's Agent, Sir Alan Moses on Press Feedom

The end of Page 3, Josie Cunningham's media strategy and Sir Alan Moses on press freedom.

Discussion on what the end of Page 3 could mean for red top rivals, Josie Cunningham's agent on her controversial media strategy, and Sir Alan Moses on regulating the press.

Britain's best-selling newspaper The Sun has stopped publishing photographs of topless Page 3 models after 44 years. The paper still hasn't confirmed the move but its sister publication, The Times, reported the change has been approved by owner Rupert Murdoch. It's been hailed a victory for campaigner groups like No More Page 3, who have long said the images are sexist. However, readers can now go online to see topless pictures, and it's understood the Sun's Page 3 website has enjoyed a surge in traffic. Steve Hewlett talks to academic and columnist Roy Greenslade about where this leaves the Sun's print edition, and whether Page 3 is indeed gone for good?

The Independent Press Standards Organisation, or IPSO, which regulates the press, wants to put a 'red pencil' through rules and regulation which allow publishers to 'resist' investigations. So says its Chair Sir Alan Moses, who, at the Lords Communication Committee yesterday, said the rules are opaque and difficult to understand. Steve Hewlett asks him about the independence of the organisation, rival regulators, and his vision for the future of press self-regulation.

Josie Cunningham appeared on the front page of the Sun after having a boob job on the NHS. In 2014, she made headlines again when she announced she was considering aborting her unborn baby for the chance to appear on Big Brother. This week, Channel 4 airs, 'Josie: the most hated women in Britain?', which looks at how she has occupied the media spotlight by promoting shocking stories, including a plan to sell tickets to the birth of her baby. Steve Hewlett talks to the man behind this coverage - her agent Rob Cooper - about his controversial media strategy and how he goes about securing column inches.

Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

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