Former BBC News chief James Harding will deliver the annual Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart lecture as the fest turns 50.
Harding, who is the founder of Tortoise Media and is now editor-in-chief of The Observer, will “examine challenges to truth and trust in the media.”
“In this moment of reckoning, Harding’s lecture will prove a bold and provocative analysis of a media industry at an inflection moment and suggest dynamic solutions to the industry challenges that lie ahead,” said the festival.
Harding was director of news and current affairs at the BBC from 2012 to 2018 and prior to that was editor of The Times. He oversaw huge stories during his BBC tenure including the first Trump presidency, Brexit and the Jimmy Savile scandal.
After leaving the BBC, he set up slow journalism and podcast outfit Tortoise Media, which controversially acquired The Observer from The Guardian owner earlier this year.
Harding said: “Some years ago, I covered the MacTaggart lectures as a reporter and know how important it is for television, journalism and the wider creative industries. I am hugely honoured to be asked to give the lecture in its 50th year. I hope it will be a moment to call out the challenges to truth and trust – and suggest how we can renew the media to meet them.”
Jane Tranter, this year’s Advisory Chair, added: “James’ demonstrable determination to protect truth and trust in public service broadcasting and the media – coupled with his belief that in order to protect we need to change – makes him the MacTaggart lecturer that we need in this seismic year. In James’ hands, our lecture promises to be a provocative, kick-ass and insightful view from a visionary leader. We couldn’t ask for more.”
Last year’s MacTaggart – the annual lecture that has been delivered by prominent figures including Rupert Murdoch, Kevin Spacey and Michaela Coel for almost as long as Edinburgh has been running – was made by Dear England creator James Graham, who focused on the entertainment industry’s long-running issue with class.
Harding joins an Edinburgh TV Festival lineup that includes Shonda Rhimes and Lenny Henry. The fest runs August 19 to 22.
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