Alex Kay-Jelski, World Cup coverage, Belfast reporting, Influencers in Russia

About this episode

The episode features discussions on World Cup coverage, Belfast reporting, and the role of influencers in soft power.

As the World Cup kicks off, Ros and Katie speak to Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s Director of Sport about his ambitions for the tournament and vision for BBC Sport. We also hear from two football journalists covering the World Cup: Craig Hope from the Daily Mail is reporting on the England team from Orlando, while Daniel Storey from The i is embarking on a solo road trip across the US. Also on the programme, the BBC’s Dan Johnson reflects on his experience covering the disorder in Belfast following Monday night’s knife attack. Plus, Samantha Berkhead from The Moscow Times and Evie Aspinall from the British Foreign Policy Group discuss how states use influencers to wield soft power around the world.

People in this episode

Hosts: Ros, Katie

Guests: Alex Kay-Jelski, Craig Hope, Daniel Storey, Dan Johnson, Samantha Berkhead, Evie Aspinall

Topics covered

• World Cup
• Sports Journalism
• Belfast Reporting
• Influencers
• Soft Power

Keywords

• World Cup
• BBC Sport
• Belfast
• Influencers
• Soft Power
• Sports Journalism
• Football

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC, Daily Mail, The i, The Moscow Times, British Foreign Policy Group

Places: Belfast

More episodes of The Media Show

• Laura Kuenssberg, SNP embezzlement story, Rafa documentary, 60 Minutes · June 3, 2026 · 43 min
• Lord Grade, Media access to local councils, Vincent Bolloré profile, Reporting on the heatwave · May 27, 2026 · 43 min
• The new BBC Director General Matt Brittin, MAFS under investigation & Richard Madeley goes inside El Salvadore's CECOT mega jail · May 20, 2026 · 43 min
• Munya Chawawa; journalists and access to prisoners in jail; Family influencers and the boundaries of parenting online. · May 13, 2026 · 43 min
• AI judging journalists, the BBC’s “Wrong Guy”, Saudi Arabia's media strategy, covering climate change · May 6, 2026 · 42 min
• King Charles's US visit, attacks on journalists, I'm a Celeb editing row · April 29, 2026 · 42 min