Summary
Overview
This episode of the Private Eye podcast features the announcement of the 2026 Paul Foot Award, presented by editor Ian Hislop. The award, named after the legendary campaigning journalist Paul Foot, recognizes outstanding investigative journalism. Peter Gagan and Khadija Sharif won for their investigative work, with Hislop emphasizing Paul Foot's legacy of making serious journalism both entertaining and accessible while maintaining its integrity and importance.
Introduction and Paul Foot's Legacy
Ian Hislop opens by reflecting on the turbulent year in journalism, from political upheaval to economic crisis, and how Paul Foot would have approached these challenges without despair. He emphasizes that Foot, who worked for the Daily Mirror and Private Eye, brought a crucial focus to journalism that combined serious investigative work with accessibility and entertainment. Hislop recalls how Foot's persistent coverage of major stories like Lockerbie, infected blood scandals, and arms deals demonstrated the enduring importance of investigative journalism.
- Paul Foot worked for the Daily Mirror and Private Eye, and was brought back on the team when Hislop became editor
- Foot extensively covered major stories including Lockerbie, infected blood scandal, and the Scott report on arms to Iraq
- Foot's investigative work on Jonathan Aitken ended with Aitken apologizing, giving up his case, and going to jail
" Looking back at the stuff Paul wrote for Private Eye, I mean, he would have coped with all of this. None of it would have surprised him. And the important thing about Paul is that he would not have despaired, particularly not about journalism. "
The Importance of Making Journalism Entertaining
Hislop recounts a story about Paul Foot's approach to serious journalism, illustrating how Foot believed in making investigative work both entertaining and accessible. During the Jonathan Aitken lawsuit, when Private Eye was in serious trouble, Foot encouraged putting in a fake apology because he thought it was funny, demonstrating his belief that journalism should engage readers even in the most serious circumstances. This philosophy of combining entertainment with serious content was central to Foot's approach and why the award bears his name.
- Paul Foot wanted journalism to be fun, enjoyable, and life-enhancing while taking serious issues seriously
- During the Aitken lawsuit, Foot encouraged publishing a fake apology, which led to Aitken renewing his claim for exemplary damages
- To get people to read lengthy stories, Foot knew they had to be entertaining, accessible, and worth reading
" The great thing about Paul, though, he took all this stuff incredibly seriously, but he wanted journalism to be fun and for it to be enjoyable and life-enhancing. "
" Paul he could make you sad he could make you furious he could make you laugh and he could make you care which is quite difficult um nowadays. "
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