Last Friday, I was joined by Carole Cadwalladr—former Guardian journalist and, depending on who you ask, either a democratic heroine or the original “mad cat lady.” From exposing Cambridge Analytica and the Mercers to taking on Brexit, big tech, and Aaron Banks personally, Carole’s journalism has shaped how we think about power, influence, and the quiet dismantling of democracy through data.

We discuss the Observer’s recent change in ownership—who now owns it, and has it drifted to the right? Is the line between editorial and commercial content now too blurred?

Carole calls the government’s proposed changes to UK press ownership laws “shocking” and “baffling.” She questions whether the BBC and the political class are now in thrall to Silicon Valley’s influence, whose interests seem increasingly aligned with the authoritarian Trump agenda.

And finally: what do you wear to a TED Talk when, after your last appearance, you were branded a conspiracy theorist, sued for libel, and trolled by Andrew Neil?

Please do check out my latest book, A Dead Cat On Your Table – available online and in all good book shops.

@peteryork.bsky.social

LinkedIn: Peter York's Culture Wars House Party podcast

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