James Harding to Deliver MacTaggart Lecture

James Harding, editor-in-chief of The Observer and founder of Tortoise Media, is set to deliver the 50th edition of The James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival.

Harding, the founder of Tortoise Media, which recently acquired The Observer, is a former director of news and current affairs at the BBC. He will deliver an analysis on the state of the media industry decide and offer up solutions for the challenges ahead.

“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,” Harding said. “I am hugely honored 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, CEO of Bad Wolf and advisory chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival, 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.”

James Graham, Michaela Coel, Dorothy Byrne, Ted Turner, Armando Iannucci, Rupert Murdoch, Dennis Potter, Jon Snow, Elisabeth Murdoch, David Olusoga, Jack Thorne, Emily Maitlis and Louis Theroux are among those to have delivered MacTaggart lectures in the past.