The Media Show

Earl Spencer published a controversial book about his sister Diana, Princess of Wales, which dominated headlines in the UK and around the world. The book included claims that King Charles, then Prince of Wales, sounded giddily elated when he spoke to Earl Spencer after Diana's death and said they would forget her soon enough. Buckingham Palace pushed back strongly against those allegations. The book was serialised by the Daily Mail and covered extensively across the media, with royal correspondents discussing the relationship between the royal family, the news media and publishing.

The broadcaster Piers Morgan threatened to sue over an error in the book concerning criticism of the Daily Mirror's publication of images of Diana and directed at him. Earl Spencer and the publisher acknowledged the error and apologised. Penguin was understood to plan to amend that point in future editions but had no plans to pull or pulp copies already printed. A media lawyer discussed the likely remedies, including damages, an erratum slip, amendment of the audio book and subsequent editions, and differences in US law.

A campaign in the village of Piddington against plans to house migrants in a nearby former military base became an international media story. The parish council organised a symbolic vote to leave the UK and used an AI-generated rallying song, attracting attention from President Trump and Elon Musk. Reporters discussed the campaign's social media strategy, local unease and abuse including death threats, and efforts to advise other communities such as Barnham in Suffolk, which was considering a similar independence vote.