“Depressing news” – Stephen Sackur after BBC axes HARDtalk

Host Stephen Sackur has mourned the decision by the BBC to end the long-running uncompromising HARDtalk show.

Calling it ‘sad news for me personally’, he said it was ‘depressing news for the BBC and all who believe in the importance of independent, rigorous deep-researched journalism’.

“At a time when disinformation and media manipulation are poisoning public discourse HARDtalk is unique – a long-form interview show with only one mission,” he continued. “To hold to account those who all too often avoid accountability in their own countries.”

Sackur seemed to aim the blame at the new Sir Kier Starmer led Labour government.

“A brilliant team of producers and researchers is being disbanded just as BBC [Director-General] Tim Davie is trying to persuade the British Govt that the journalism of the BBC World Service s such a vital expression of democratic soft power that the taxpayer must fund it”, he added.

“Whatever the outcome of that, it seems it will be too late to save HARDtalk – for so long a pillar of the World Service schedule.”

The move to gut it from the programme as part of cuts to the budget.

BBC HARDtalk has interviewed prominent Zimbabweans including former President Robert Mugabe, former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, former Information Minister Prof Jonathan Moyo and prominent opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, to name a few.

HARDtalk will finish in March next year after nearly three decades on air.