for breaking lockdown rules. now on bbc news. the media show: piers morgan returns. hello and welcome to the media show, our guest today is the star signing of rupert murdoch's go new signing, piers morgan and he will notjust have a show in the uk, it will be streamed in the us, it will be broadcast on sky news australia and as well is that there is a column in the new york post and there is a book deal with harpercollins as well. all of which is owned by rupert murdoch, all of which is a significant bet on one man grabbing the attention of the world. let us hear if he thinks this is about with making. how does that happen, how does a deal get thrashed out to? it was fortuitous, the whole good morning britain blow up with the megan marco thing and the free speech debate, it was all writing in the uk, but it was big in the uk and rupert happen to be in the uk and he watched it all go down. they had been toying with whether to do a new network and i think he thought if i was available, it was worth having a go. they had to get me and i had quite a few suitors, that has been well documented and as soon as rupert came knocking with his company, with the global tentacles it has and the ability to do columns, books, a crime documentary as well, it seemed to me to be an irresistible chance to go back and work for my first big mentor and also to do all the things i like doing. i also to do all the things i like doinu. . , i. also to do all the things i like doin. _ ., , y., ., ., doing. i am sure you negotiated hard, doing. i am sure you negotiated hard. how _ doing. i am sure you negotiated hard, how does _ doing. i am sure you negotiated hard, how does that _ doing. i am sure you negotiated hard, how does that work, - doing. i am sure you negotiated hard, how does that work, do . doing. i am sure you negotiated i hard, how does that work, do you doing. i am sure you negotiated - hard, how does that work, do you sit down with rupert murdoch at a table and say, i will take this much for doing this, or do your lawyers do that? i doing this, or do your lawyers do that? ., doing this, or do your lawyers do that? . , , ., , , that? i had representatives, but we had a few conversations _ that? i had representatives, but we had a few conversations and - that? i had representatives, but we had a few conversations and i - that? i had representatives, but we had a few conversations and i think| had a few conversations and i think we were basically in agreement, the kind of show that i was proposing fitted very well with what he wanted for the wider network. it is to show that defends free speech, it is a show that will uphold the pillars of democracy, in a time when society, is, i think, democracy, in a time when society, is, ithink, under democracy, in a time when society, is, i think, under more threat to free speech and freedom of expression that i have known it in my lifetime. expression that i have known it in my lifetime-— my lifetime. you have been very critical of the _ my lifetime. you have been very critical of the way _ my lifetime. you have been very critical of the way that _ my lifetime. you have been very critical of the way that you - my lifetime. you have been very critical of the way that you had l my lifetime. you have been very| critical of the way that you had to leave itv, but before that blow up, as you called it, did you have any pressure from itv previous to that walk—out we felt you could not say what you wanted? the walk-out we felt you could not say what you wanted?— walk-out we felt you could not say what you wanted? the sadness for me about it, what you wanted? the sadness for me about it. other— what you wanted? the sadness for me about it, other than _ what you wanted? the sadness for me about it, other than i _ what you wanted? the sadness for me about it, other than i was _ what you wanted? the sadness for me about it, other than i was living - about it, other than i was living doing the show and we were breaking ratings records left right and centre, including on the last, we finally beat the bbc, and they said that was a hill we would never climb. ifelt we that was a hill we would never climb. i felt we were doing exactly what we set out to do, which was me leading with very strident opinions, susanna reid, my co—presenter, having her strong opinions and creating a national debate about whatever the issues maybe. the sadness for me is that itv had always been unbelievably strong in protecting my right to express my honestly held opinions, right until the end and suddenly they lost their bottle. ., ., . bottle. hold on, the chief executive said they defended _ bottle. hold on, the chief executive said they defended you _ bottle. hold on, the chief executive said they defended you vigorously l said they defended you vigorously and there was no way we would not be absolutely not endorsing the championing freedom of speech and freedom of expression. truth? championing freedom of speech and freedom of expression.— freedom of expression. why am i sittin: freedom of expression. why am i sitting here _ freedom of expression. why am i sitting here doing _ freedom of expression. why am i sitting here doing another- freedom of expression. why am i sitting here doing another show? i freedom of expression. why am i - sitting here doing another show? itv said you chose to leave. it _ sitting here doing another show? itv said you chose to leave. it turned - said you chose to leave. it turned out that meghan _ said you chose to leave. it turned out that meghan markle - said you chose to leave. it turned out that meghan markle had - said you chose to leave. it turned i out that meghan markle had written to them the night before i was invited to apologise or leave, demanding my head on a plate. i was told, either issue a public apology for effectively disbelieving meghan markle, because i disbelieved what she told oprah winfrey or i had to give up the show which i loved. so if itv want to try and play semantics, let me be very clear, thatis semantics, let me be very clear, that is what happened and what they did not tell me and which would have been interesting to me as part of a general debate, they didn't tell me that meghan markle had personally contacted dame carolyn and i believed from what i was told used phrases like, we are both women and mothers. as if that has something to do with it. ifelt like mothers. as if that has something to do with it. i felt like the way that i was handled at the end was a shame, given how supportive itv had previously been. the? shame, given how supportive itv had previously been-— previously been. they said that they did not want — previously been. they said that they did not want you _ previously been. they said that they did not want you to _ previously been. they said that they did not want you to leave _ previously been. they said that they did not want you to leave and - previously been. they said that they did not want you to leave and they l did not want you to leave and they defended your right to free speech. they didn't. let us be clear, if they defended my right to free speech, then i would not have been asked to apologise or leave myjob. ofcom later came back and defended my right to free speech.— my right to free speech. ofcom also said, with reference _ my right to free speech. ofcom also said, with reference to _ my right to free speech. ofcom also said, with reference to some - my right to free speech. ofcom also| said, with reference to some of your statements about not believing that meghan markle had had suicidal thoughts, they said we were particularly concerned about his approach to such a serious issue and his apparent disregard for the seriousness of anyone expressing suicidal thoughts and we also heard from the charity mind saying it was disappointed and concerned at that when people share this, they need to be treated with dignity, respect and empathy. i'm sure he would agree you did not treat her with respect. i am afraid i do not _ did not treat her with respect. i am afraid i do not find _ did not treat her with respect. i am afraid i do not find her— did not treat her with respect. i —n afraid i do not find her very credible on the point that i made very forcibly on the show was, if, as she claimed, she went to two senior members of the royal household and told them she was suicidal and they said, as she put it, that she could not get any help, because it would be bad for the brand, let us have the names of those people and they should be fired. here we are over a year later, there is not a shred of evidence to support the claim, nor is there evidence to support either of the racism claims. you is there evidence to support either of the racism claims.— is there evidence to support either of the racism claims. you could have exressed of the racism claims. you could have expressed doubts _ of the racism claims. you could have expressed doubts about _ of the racism claims. you could have expressed doubts about meghan - of the racism claims. you could have . expressed doubts about meghan markle and what she was saying in a way that was more respectful of the broader issues of people having suicidal thoughts, which ofcom and perhaps even more relatively, a leading mental health charity, say they are concerned about, you do not have any concerns because my i am entitled to my opinion and i have no desire to diminish the importance of an issue like suicide or serious mental health or racism or any other issues that she touched upon in the interview. figs issues that she touched upon in the interview. �* , ., issues that she touched upon in the interview. ~ , ., ., ., , , interview. as a “ournalist, every instinct in — interview. as a journalist, every instinct in may, _ interview. as a journalist, every instinct in may, was _ interview. as a journalist, every instinct in may, was is - interview. as a journalist, every instinct in may, was is a - interview. as a journalist, every instinct in may, was is a true? l interview. as a journalist, every | instinct in may, was is a true? is what she same true and i reach the conclusion pretty quickly that it was not. if she was to produce evidence that supports her allegations and we are still waiting, then i may revise my position and i might be more sensitive, but i am afraid, when i watched it, ifelt she sensitive, but i am afraid, when i watched it, i felt she was sensitive, but i am afraid, when i watched it, ifelt she was being sensitive, but i am afraid, when i watched it, i felt she was being an actress, spinning yarn after yarn, to cause enormous damage to our royal family and the institution of the monarchy and i was not going to have it. ., , ., ., the monarchy and i was not going to have it. ., , ., . . the monarchy and i was not going to have it. ., . ., , have it. now you have a different show, have it. now you have a different show. you're _ have it. now you have a different show. you're on _ have it. now you have a different show, you're on talk— have it. now you have a different show, you're on talk tv, - have it. now you have a different show, you're on talk tv, piers i show, you're on talk tv, piers morgan uncensored. you have said it is to cancel those who have been cancelled, who is coming on, who cannot get into the media elsewhere? it is more of an issue for me, the council culture issue is not about... council culture issue is not about- - -— council culture issue is not about... ._, council culture issue is not about... ~ ., ., ., [m about... who are you getting on? i'm not auoin about... who are you getting on? i'm not going to — about... who are you getting on? i'm not going to tell— about... who are you getting on? i'm not going to tell you. _ about... who are you getting on? i'm not going to tell you. who _ about... who are you getting on? i'm not going to tell you. who is - not going to tell you. who is failin: not going to tell you. who is failing to _ not going to tell you. who is failing to get _ not going to tell you. who is failing to get access - not going to tell you. who is failing to get access to - failing to get access to high—profile media that you would like to have a new programme. i would love to get jk rowling like to have a new programme. i would love to getjk rowling on, who has been appallingly vilified and there has been a massive attempt to cancel her, it has been unsuccessful, because she is extremely wealthy, but the abuse that has been meted out to herfor effectively defending the rights of women has been a disgrace. i would love to getjk rowling on. irlat love to get jk rowling on. not surel love to getjk rowling on. not surely suggesting that if love to getjk rowling on. not surely suggesting that iij rowling and her representatives contacted a of high—profile media, they would not say... of high-profile media, they would not sa . ., of high-profile media, they would notsa ,, ., . ., ., not say... she had lunch at a cafe in london — not say. .. she had lunch at a cafe in london last— not say... she had lunch at a cafe in london last week, _ not say... she had lunch at a cafe in london last week, with - not say... she had lunch at a cafe in london last week, with a - not say... she had lunch at a cafe| in london last week, with a bunch not say... she had lunch at a cafe i in london last week, with a bunch of women, many of whom have been cancel, authors, university professors... cancel, authors, university professors. . ._ cancel, authors, university professors. . . professor you're talkinu professors. . . professor you're talking about is _ professors. . . professor you're talking about is kathleen - professors... professor you're l talking about is kathleen scott, professors... professor you're - talking about is kathleen scott, we can discuss how she was treated, but within the context of the media... that is the wrong context. irate within the context of the media... that is the wrong context.- that is the wrong context. we are here on media _ that is the wrong context. we are here on media show. _ that is the wrong context. we are here on media show. it _ that is the wrong context. we are here on media show. it is - that is the wrong context. we are here on media show. it is about i that is the wrong context. we are l here on media show. it is about two --eole like here on media show. it is about two people like kathleen _ here on media show. it is about two people like kathleen lose _ here on media show. it is about two people like kathleen lose their- here on media show. it is about two people like kathleen lose theirjobs| people like kathleen lose theirjobs for having held opinions and is that right in a democratic society and the answer is yes. although right in a democratic society and the answer is yes. althouthk rowling is wealthy enough to sustain the barrage, we have to ask ourselves, is this actually what we want in a democracy. do we want to see university professors who hold honest views, which in my view are not remotely contentious, do we want to see them driven out of theirjobs ljy to see them driven out of theirjobs by a bunch of students? irate to see them driven out of their “obs by a bunch of students?�* to see them driven out of their “obs by a bunch of students? we know that there are limits _ by a bunch of students? we know that there are limits to _ by a bunch of students? we know that there are limits to free _ by a bunch of students? we know that there are limits to free speech - by a bunch of students? we know that there are limits to free speech in - there are limits to free speech in any society, mainly around, i have a quote, you should not be ashamed or cancelled for having an opinion unless you're genuinely spewing hateful and bigoted stuff and i am interested on your programme, where is the line drawn. you have a guest on who suggest that vaccinations against cover 19 do not work? yes. on who suggest that vaccinations against cover 19 do not work? yes, i would want — against cover 19 do not work? yes, i would want to _ against cover 19 do not work? yes, i would want to expose _ against cover 19 do not work? yes, i would want to expose that _ against cover 19 do not work? yes, i would want to expose that process l would want to expose that process and i think it has been extremely dangerous. i would want to expose them with facts, i would want to let these people, there are a lot of people that think this and they have been encouraged to think it by a lot of nonsense on the internet, i would let them set out their stall, tell me where they have heard this, why they believe this, and then damn them with facts, that is how a democracy should function. if you let these kind of debates purely operate online, that is where the trouble starts. i do believe on shining a light on news like that, but when i get someone on who preached racial hatred towards people and wanted to cause violent conduct towards any minority group, no i would not. there are obvious limitations about where free speech leads and in which has the strongest free speech the world, you cannot run into theatres and shout, fire. there are logical limits. i want to understand this, let us take the drug ivermectin, which you will be aware of and that some people have been treating it as a treatment for covid. would you put someone on eric to challenge them on that? jae covid. would you put someone on eric to challenge them on that?— to challenge them on that? joe rogan did that on his — to challenge them on that? joe rogan did that on his show— to challenge them on that? joe rogan did that on his show and _ to challenge them on that? joe rogan did that on his show and it _ to challenge them on that? joe rogan did that on his show and it was - did that on his show and it was interesting, he talked to a doctor from cnn and it was an interesting debate about which of these theories, which have got huge followings now, around the world, during the pandemic, which of them have any merit or not. that during the pandemic, which of them have any merit or not.— have any merit or not. at which oint have any merit or not. at which point does _ have any merit or not. at which point does become _ have any merit or not. at which point does become an - have any merit or not. at which - point does become an irresponsible act? ah. point does become an irresponsible act? �* ., ., point does become an irresponsible act? ., ., , point does become an irresponsible act? ., ., . ., act? a lot of people criticise the bbc for refusing _ act? a lot of people criticise the bbc for refusing to _ act? a lot of people criticise the bbc for refusing to ever- act? a lot of people criticise the bbc for refusing to ever go - act? a lot of people criticise the | bbc for refusing to ever go down these roads have debate, because they believe they have the truth and yet we know in the pandemic that scientists have changed their own minds many times, whether it be about the efficacy of masks, whether it is about the ability of vaccinations, i have changed my view about coronavirus many times during the pandemic. you about coronavirus many times during the pandemic— the pandemic. you have seen the concern about _ the pandemic. you have seen the concern about joe _ the pandemic. you have seen the concern about joe rogan - the pandemic. you have seen the concern about joe rogan and - the pandemic. you have seen the concern about joe rogan and the| concern aboutjoe rogan and the misinformation around covid, but more broadly, if those pieces of information are not factually true are not adequately challenge, they then just get the platform without any of the downside. i then just get the platform without any of the downside.— any of the downside. i intend to challen . e any of the downside. i intend to challenge them _ any of the downside. i intend to challenge them from _ any of the downside. i intend to challenge them from a - any of the downside. i intend to challenge them from a position | any of the downside. i intend to l challenge them from a position of fact and truth. your programme is notjust going to be on talktv, it will be on sky news australia and the sister network of fox news, do you think sky news australia and fox news always counter claims, theories... i am news always counter claims, theories... iam not news always counter claims, theories... i am not here to speak for them, you would have to ask them. i am for them, you would have to ask them. iam responsible for them, you would have to ask them. i am responsible for my show and its output and i have had no pressure from any of my various employers to have any stance about anything. i can only speak from employers to have any stance about anything. i can only speakfrom my show. it would be like getting you to defend every show presenter at the bbc. i think it is a ridiculous thing for me to expect you to do. what i would defend is that all of them, in my opinion, have a right to their opinions and it is right that people like you and others challenge those opinions. d0 people like you and others challenge those opinions.— those opinions. do we get into a problematic— those opinions. do we get into a problematic space, _ those opinions. do we get into a problematic space, you - those opinions. do we get into a problematic space, you have - those opinions. do we get into a i problematic space, you have talked about the importance of your show to democracy, upholding certain values, but doesn't democracy in some ways rest on us all having facts, on us all having good information, so on fox nation, tucker carlson also has a programme, a documentary series that floated the idea that the storming of the capital was potentially an insidejob storming of the capital was potentially an inside job organised by the fbi. no evidence was offered, is that a helpful contribution. i don't agree. at _ is that a helpful contribution. i don't agree. at what _ is that a helpful contribution. i don't agree. at what point - is that a helpful contribution. i don't agree. at what point do | is that a helpful contribution. i i don't agree. at what point do you aet don't agree. at what point do you net to the don't agree. at what point do you get to the stage _ don't agree. at what point do you get to the stage where _ don't agree. at what point do you get to the stage where someone | don't agree. at what point do you | get to the stage where someone is doing something you do notjust agree with, but you do not know if you comfortable... i’m agree with, but you do not know if you comfortable. . ._ you comfortable... i'm sure could fiuht you comfortable... i'm sure could fi ht 100 you comfortable... i'm sure could fight 100 people _ you comfortable... i'm sure could fight 100 people at _ you comfortable... i'm sure could fight 100 people at the _ you comfortable... i'm sure could fight 100 people at the bbc - you comfortable... i'm sure could fight 100 people at the bbc who l fight 100 people at the bbc who would say things that you would find apparent. i know some of them, i can say, are you responsible or accountable for everything that everyone of your colleagues here says, i don't think you are. in the case of tucker carlson, watch a show, i go on his show, i like a show, i go on his show, i like a show, i go on his show, i like a show, i like him, i will agree with about 75% of the things he says but i disagree with the rest. last time i disagree with the rest. last time i checked, that is fine. in a democracy, you're allowed to not agree with people that you work with and tucker and i have had spirited debates about gun control and we have a very strong view about guns. if what you're saying is, i can only go on work summer once i have checked that i agree with every view espoused by people, that is exactly what my show is going to be tackling. what my show is going to be tacklinu. ., . ,, ., , tackling. coming back to my point, i want to understand, _ tackling. coming back to my point, i want to understand, not _ tackling. coming back to my point, i want to understand, not that - tackling. coming back to my point, i want to understand, not that you i want to understand, not that you should not go on to a network with someone you do not agree with, no one is suggesting that, i am trying to understand that you are positioning the programme as part of a reassertion of what democratic society should have, free speech, and yet you're going to work, particularly with reference to fox with a network, with a long track record of saying things that are not rooted in fact. truths; record of saying things that are not rooted in fact.— rooted in fact. why doesn't that... do ou rooted in fact. why doesn't that... do you feel _ rooted in fact. why doesn't that... do you feel as _ rooted in fact. why doesn't that... do you feel as uncomfortable - rooted in fact. why doesn't that... | do you feel as uncomfortable about the time i spent at cnn given the way that it has gone in the last few years. given their obsession with the likes of russian collusion. i could throw it back and say, cnn is the bbc of the usa in many ways, it is a network people look at and say, everything must be truthful and factual and for two years they spun a load of baloney and that donald trump, being in cahoots with the russians to fix the election, it turned out to be nonsense. i think, i understand why they went down that road, i think they were chasing ratings, but i look at that and i think, i didn't support that either. you're not going to work for cnn. mr; you're not going to work for cnn. ii point is you're not going to work for cnn. ii1: point is that all these networks get things wrong, all these networks have anchors, presenters who say things i do not agree with. what is interesting as you keep flipping from talking about facts to talking about opinions, is there no dividing line?— dividing line? everyone is entitled to an opinion- _ dividing line? everyone is entitled to an opinion. everyone _ dividing line? everyone is entitled to an opinion. everyone is - dividing line? everyone is entitled| to an opinion. everyone is entitled to an opinion. everyone is entitled to an opinion. everyone is entitled to an opinion, what they are not entitled to do is embed facts. that is what i will be defending on my show. ., ., ., ., ., . show. you do not have a concern with this, james — show. you do not have a concern with this, james murdoch, _ show. you do not have a concern with this, james murdoch, the _ show. you do not have a concern with this, james murdoch, the son - show. you do not have a concern with this, james murdoch, the son of- this, james murdoch, the son of rupert murdoch, not long after he decided to leave the business, he said that he thinks a great news organisations, fact should be introduced to dispersed out, not to sow doubt to dispute fact. he is entitled to _ sow doubt to dispute fact. he is entitled to his _ sow doubt to dispute fact. he is entitled to his opinion. - sow doubt to dispute fact. he is entitled to his opinion. you - sow doubt to dispute fact. he is entitled to his opinion. you do i sow doubt to dispute fact. he is i entitled to his opinion. you do not share those _ entitled to his opinion. you do not share those concerns,... - entitled to his opinion. you do not share those concerns,... i - entitled to his opinion. you do not share those concerns,... i don't i share those concerns,... i don't share those concerns,... i don't share your _ share those concerns,... i don't share your concerns _ share those concerns,... i don't share your concerns about - share those concerns,... i don't share your concerns about it. i l share those concerns,... i don't i share your concerns about it. i am very happy to be working for fox nation and i am happy that my show will be airing every night in america and i am particularly happy that no one at fox has had a single conversation, they try to tell me what i should be putting on my show, what i should be putting on my show, what opinions i should be having, it is the opposite. i spend a week in america, ten days ago, i went on nine fox shows in the way and i expressed my honestly held opinions and they lapped it up. there was no pressure to be conservative right—wing, norwas pressure to be conservative right—wing, nor was there a pressure from a play the kind if you are all the devil, i do not believe that. i do not think that, i like the murdoch family, i have always liked rupert murdoch, i had him as an incredible media visionary, that is not of you will hear much of at the bbc but the bbc has its own problems. much as you may have put your halos on, i look around the bbc sometimes something, martin basheer, thatis sometimes something, martin basheer, that is a bit awkward for everyone. i'm not coming with a halo... you are a bit. — i'm not coming with a halo... you are a bit. if— i'm not coming with a halo... you are a bit, if you _ i'm not coming with a halo... you are a bit, if you do _ i'm not coming with a halo... you are a bit, if you do not _ i'm not coming with a halo... iii. are a bit, if you do not mind me saying and you know i am a big fan, but you are a bit coming with the halo, you're saying, look, we are the bbc, you're going to work for people which do not have our standards, when i went to fox last week, i thought the standards were pretty high and i was happy to work there. i pretty high and i was happy to work there. ., ., r' pretty high and i was happy to work there. . . w , ., there. i am asking the question. one ofthe there. i am asking the question. one of the reasons _ there. i am asking the question. one of the reasons that _ there. i am asking the question. one of the reasons that fox _ there. i am asking the question. one of the reasons that fox and - there. i am asking the question. one of the reasons that fox and cnn - there. i am asking the question. one of the reasons that fox and cnn and| of the reasons that fox and cnn and others are stepping into the streaming arena is the fact that the original business model is under pressure, not least since president trump left the white house. it pressure, not least since president trump left the white house.- trump left the white house. it was under more — trump left the white house. it was under more pressure _ trump left the white house. it was under more pressure if _ trump left the white house. it was under more pressure if you - trump left the white house. it was under more pressure if you were i trump left the white house. it wasj under more pressure if you were at cnn or one of those who put all their money on trump bashing, 99% of their money on trump bashing, 99% of the programme is that, which i felt, and said at the time, having worked at cnn when he did not do that, when it was very nonpartisan and non—biased, ifelt it was very nonpartisan and non—biased, i felt that that is what the business model should be, they went into full on trump bashing, some got hysterical about it, and i thought it was killing the golden goose and now you see the ratings have really gone through the floor, whereas conversely the ratings for fox news are gigantic by comparison. it reminds me what i used to run the news of the world and the mirror, there would always be this charge, we are only doing this for ratings orfor we are only doing this for ratings or for circulation, we are only doing this for ratings orfor circulation, that we are only doing this for ratings or for circulation, that is we are only doing this for ratings orfor circulation, that is myjob, literally myjob. yourjob would be to serve people who want to listen to serve people who want to listen to the bbc and pay a licence fee, i am happy to do that, but i think your own business model will have to be reviewed going forward. what your own business model will have to be reviewed going forward.— be reviewed going forward. what do ou think be reviewed going forward. what do you think about _ be reviewed going forward. what do you think about the _ be reviewed going forward. what do you think about the bbc's _ be reviewed going forward. what do you think about the bbc's businessl you think about the bbc's business model? i you think about the bbc's business model? ., ., ~' you think about the bbc's business model? ., ., ,, . . model? i do not think the licence fee is sustainable. _ model? i do not think the licence fee is sustainable. i— model? i do not think the licence fee is sustainable. i felt - model? i do not think the licence fee is sustainable. i felt what - model? i do not think the licence j fee is sustainable. i felt what you did with the other —— over 70 fights was a disgrace and i said that loudly and clearly on good morning britain regularly. ifelt it loudly and clearly on good morning britain regularly. i felt it was a betrayal. britain regularly. i felt it was a betra al. �* �* , britain regularly. i felt it was a betra al. “ , britain regularly. i felt it was a betra al. �* �* , ., betrayal. the bbc is facing a threat, betrayal. the bbc is facing a threat. it — betrayal. the bbc is facing a threat, it will— betrayal. the bbc is facing a threat, it will not _ betrayal. the bbc is facing a threat, it will not get - betrayal. the bbc is facing a threat, it will not get it - betrayal. the bbc is facing a threat, it will not get it from betrayal. the bbc is facing a - threat, it will not get it from me, they can produce this amazing programming, i recently watched the reports from jeremy bowen in ukraine, he is a good friend of mine and it is astounding. clive marie has been astounding, there has been brilliantjournalism, the bbc at its very best, as has been at cnn, some of my former colleagues risking their lives to bring reports to people, these are these great corporations at the best, but can the bbc continue to challenge boys at the age of my children, people in their early 20s, when they make a personal choice about paying a fee for netflix or amazon prime. i do not think that is sustainable i think the bbc will eventually have to go down that road. what without pgyi to go down that road. what without pay, a subscription model? i to go down that road. what without pay, a subscription model?- pay, a subscription model? i think it is inevitable, _ pay, a subscription model? i think it is inevitable, i— pay, a subscription model? i think it is inevitable, i do _ pay, a subscription model? i think it is inevitable, i do not _ pay, a subscription model? i think it is inevitable, i do not think- pay, a subscription model? i think it is inevitable, i do not think it i it is inevitable, i do not think it will be the end of the bbc. i think it willjust will be the end of the bbc. i think it will just have will be the end of the bbc. i think it willjust have to get more competitive and stop relying on people being compelled to pay for a licence fee when we are now in a completely different world. talking about different _ completely different world. talking about different business _ completely different world. talking about different business models, l completely different world. talking i about different business models, you have major reservations about the way cnn went in on donald trump. big way cnn went in on donald trump. egg strategic mistake. way cnn went in on donald trump. big strategic mistake. your _ way cnn went in on donald trump. big strategic mistake. your critical - way cnn went in on donald trump. big strategic mistake. your critical of - strategic mistake. your critical of how the us _ strategic mistake. your critical of how the us media _ strategic mistake. your critical of how the us media handle - strategic mistake. your critical of how the us media handle this, i strategic mistake. your critical of i how the us media handle this, what about how you handled donald trump, you had some high—profile interviews and when you look back at those and you know some of the things that donald trump did later in his presidency around covid and the election results. ila presidency around covid and the election results.— presidency around covid and the election results. no one was more critical of donald _ election results. no one was more critical of donald trump _ election results. no one was more critical of donald trump and - election results. no one was more critical of donald trump and covid | critical of donald trump and covid and the election denial and about january the 6th and if you go back and read my columns, they were incendiary, attacking him, head on, and directly. in the interviews i did, i would say to people, go back and watch them in full, do not believe what people told you on twitter about those interviews, were frankly if i did not take a club into the room and smashed him around the head, it was always going to be softball. i challenged trump a lot in the end of his, much more than the narrative has been allowed to say. having said that, he was a friend of mine and i had known him since 2008, i won his show, i had gone back many times on the show as a boardroom adviser and got to know him and his family, this was a friend of mine who became a divisive president of the usa and i was lucky that he gave me interviews and the challenge for me was to then try and part the friendship and do the interview. i think i did that. haild interview. ithinki did that. hold on. the interview. ithinki did that. hold on- the point— interview. ithinki did that. hold on. the point i'm _ interview. ithinki did that. hold on. the point i'm trying - interview. i think i did that. hold on. the point i'm trying to - interview. i think i did that. hold on. the point i'm trying to make is that you approach that she would an interview with any world leader, i assume, treated him like a normal politician. i assume, treated him like a normal olitician. ., assume, treated him like a normal olitician. . ., ., politician. i gave him a harder time... when _ politician. i gave him a harder time... when you _ politician. i gave him a harder time... when you go - politician. i gave him a harder time. .. when you go back- politician. i gave him a harder| time... when you go back and politician. i gave him a harder- time... when you go back and watch the obama interview... look at those. that is what i would say in return. i those. that is what i would say in return. ., ., return. i have not said anything et. you return. i have not said anything yet- you do _ return. i have not said anything yet. you do not _ return. i have not said anything yet. you do not know _ return. i have not said anything yet. you do not know what - return. i have not said anything yet. you do not know what i'ml return. i have not said anything - yet. you do not know what i'm going to say. let us try this. the way that trump spoke about covid and the fact that he did not accept defeat in the election, we are not out of the blue, they were completely in line with how he behaved in the campaign, they were completely in line with how he behaved in the early years of his presidency and yet you treated him like a normal politician. i yet you treated him like a normal olitician. ., ., ' :: _, , politician. i wrote over 120 columns about trump _ politician. i wrote over 120 columns about trump and _ politician. i wrote over 120 columns about trump and if _ politician. i wrote over 120 columns about trump and if anyone - politician. i wrote over 120 columns| about trump and if anyone bothered to go back... you about trump and if anyone bothered to go back- - -— about trump and if anyone bothered to go back... you said you had known him for 12 years _ to go back... you said you had known him for 12 years and _ to go back... you said you had known him for 12 years and genuinely - to go back... you said you had known him for 12 years and genuinely like i him for 12 years and genuinely like him. why did you feel warmly towards a man who had already spoken with great prejudice during the campaign, who had already shown scant regard for the truth and he appeared to be undermining some of the tenants of democracy. undermining some of the tenants of democra . ., �* ., ., democracy. you're falling into the sli . ht tra- democracy. you're falling into the slight trap of _ democracy. you're falling into the slight trap of their _ democracy. you're falling into the slight trap of their trump - democracy. you're falling into the slight trap of their trump is - democracy. you're falling into the slight trap of their trump is the i slight trap of their trump is the devil narrative. i wrote more than 100 columns about him for the daily mail website, about half were positive and half are critical. i felt that was a fair analysis and assessment, until his last year, go back to the start of 2020, trump was heading for a comfortable real action and a lot of the things he did, forget what he said on twitter, a lot of it was ludicrous. hoof did, forget what he said on twitter, a lot of it was ludicrous.— a lot of it was ludicrous. how can ou a lot of it was ludicrous. how can you forget _ a lot of it was ludicrous. how can you forget what _ a lot of it was ludicrous. how can you forget what a _ a lot of it was ludicrous. how can you forget what a politician - a lot of it was ludicrous. how can you forget what a politician says, what they say is a great part of who they are. if what they say is a great part of who the are. , ., what they say is a great part of who the are. ,, ,, they are. if you park the twitter rhetoric and _ they are. if you park the twitter rhetoric and you _ they are. if you park the twitter rhetoric and you either - they are. if you park the twitter rhetoric and you either loved i they are. if you park the twitter rhetoric and you either loved it | they are. if you park the twitter. rhetoric and you either loved it or hated it, you simply focused on what trump achieved and what he did and his actions, i would argue that when you look at the totality with the exception of the final year, where i felt he was a catastrophe on covid, he showed no empathy over the george floyd murder and i thought that was disgraceful and i thought that his refusal to accept the election was a disgrace and i felt that the january sect riots were a direct consequence of that behaviour and i said all of that very vehemently on what you're asking me to do is guess what was going to happen. i'm saying that i do not think in the first three years trump was either the devil or what people thought he was. you're makin: a what people thought he was. you're making a show— what people thought he was. you're making a show for _ what people thought he was. you're making a show for a _ what people thought he was. you're making a show for a uk _ what people thought he was. you're making a show for a uk audience, i what people thought he was. you'rel making a show for a uk audience, us audience and an australian audience, they do not care about the same things, we are demonstrating that, how do you fact of that.— things, we are demonstrating that, how do you fact of that. everyone is fascinated by _ how do you fact of that. everyone is fascinated by trump _ how do you fact of that. everyone is fascinated by trump and _ how do you fact of that. everyone is fascinated by trump and i _ how do you fact of that. everyone is fascinated by trump and i think- fascinated by trump and i think every day there are lots of stories which resonate around the world on my gut feeling is that twitter in particular has made the world a smaller place in terms of debate, you see the trending topics at the same almost in every country and every i look at stuff in the news of think it would resonate all around the world. most things do now, whether it is ukraine, the antics of the meghan markle and harry, whether it is donald trump making a comeback, whether it is the health ofjoe biden, all these things i think work in all these countries. what is your definition of success, if you came back on the show in four years? if if you came back on the show in four ears? �* . if you came back on the show in four ears? �* , ., ., , years? if i'm still on air. rupert does not _ years? if i'm still on air. rupert does not look _ years? if i'm still on air. rupert does not look around. - years? if i'm still on air. rupert does not look around. by - years? if i'm still on air. rupert does not look around. by which | years? if i'm still on air. rupert- does not look around. by which you mean that if — does not look around. by which you mean that if the _ does not look around. by which you mean that if the numbers _ does not look around. by which you mean that if the numbers are - does not look around. by which you mean that if the numbers are not i mean that if the numbers are not right... it mean that if the numbers are not riuht. .. . mean that if the numbers are not riuht... . ., mean that if the numbers are not riuht... ,., ., mean that if the numbers are not riuht... ,. ., ., right... it is a hard thing to calculate — right... it is a hard thing to calculate what _ right... it is a hard thing to calculate what numbers - right... it is a hard thing to - calculate what numbers represent success, it will take time to grow it, because of different calibrations assessed around the world. i think we would all know whether we have a hit show on our hands within a few months, if people are tuning in in bigger numbers, if we are becoming the centre of debate in three continents, then i think we would have done the job and it would be exciting, if not, then it will be back to the bait for a while. i would love to be watching, but i will be on air. i’m would love to be watching, but i will be on air.— would love to be watching, but i will be on air. i'm going to destroy ou. will be on air. i'm going to destroy you- thank — will be on air. i'm going to destroy you- thank you — will be on air. i'm going to destroy you. thank you very _ will be on air. i'm going to destroy you. thank you very much - will be on air. i'm going to destroy you. thank you very much indeed. | hello again. the weekend has got off to a pretty decent start weather—wise for the vast majority it has been a dry day, a few showers dotted around here and there. some sunshine for most of us, that was edinburgh castle overlooking the blossoms in gardens below. the satellite picture, to the north of the uk, we have a big bank of low cloud and that will be coming towards the uk into next week, but before we get there, today we have had some cloud, particularly in wales and the west of england and that cloud has produced a few showers. they will fade away but we could see another batch running into the south of england for a time overnight. away from that, cloudy again for north of scotland but for most it is a dry night with clear skies. temperatures getting down to three or seven celsius. some frost in the deep valleys, for the second half of the weekend, another fine day, lots of sunshine, both morning and afternoon and overall there will be fewer showers, so the vast majority of you will have a dry day. cloudy in the far north of scotland, but otherwise sunny spells. we have got these east — north—easterly wind is working across these chilly waters in the north sea, temperatures only coming up from the wintertime lows and that has an effect on temperatures, for the east, 11-14 , effect on temperatures, for the east, 11—14 , the highest temperatures in the south and west, looking at heights of 18 in cardiff and london. for monday, stilla looking at heights of 18 in cardiff and london. for monday, still a fair bit of dry weather, but we will see showers across central and eastern england and some of these could turn out to be heavy, away from that, a fair bit of dry weather, but it is starting to turn cloudier and cooler across northern areas of scotland. in the sunshine further south, “i or 15, for the most part, tuesday is when we see that big area of low cloud i showed you on the satellite picture, that works down the north sea and starts to spread inland. so, quite a bit of dry weather still around, but quite a lot of cloud and given the cloudy skies, 9 degrees in aberdeen and newcastle, temperatures 15 and i6 aberdeen and newcastle, temperatures 15 and 16 for cardiff and london, but the rest of the wake does look pretty cloudy at times, temperatures not as high as they have been, the best of any limited sunshine will be in the west. that is the latest. this is bbc news ? welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... the ukrainian port city of odesa has been struck by a volley of russian cruise missiles, killing at least eight people and leaving many more injured. ukraine's president volodymyr zelenskyy says us secretary of state antony blinkin will visit kyiv on sunday in the highest level us visit since the war began. i'm in paris where campaigning has ended in france's hard—fought presidential election — with emmanuel macron and his far—right rival marine le pen urging people to turn out and vote on sunday. 26 passengers and crew are missing injapan after a tourist boat reportedly sinks off the northern island of hokkaido. and more than 90,000 fans have packed into wembley stadium to watch tyson fury defend his world heavyweight title against