Social Media Ban: Big Tech's 'Tobacco Moment'

Social Media Ban: Big Tech's 'Tobacco Moment'

Author: BBC Radio 4 June 17, 2026 Duration: 27:32

The public is against you, politicians are against you and the emotional argument has been well and truly lost.

Which is exactly where the likes of TikTok, Instagram and X find themselves following the Prime Minister's announcement that social media will be banned for under-16s.

It's being described by some as big tech's 'tobacco moment'.

This week, David and Farzana assess what these companies might do next - how can opinions be shifted, who can be used to make their case? And if stopping the ban outright is not the goal, what would success look like?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, bricks and mortar PR. Just why are the rich and powerful so obsessed with slapping their names on buildings? As David and Farzana explain, it's a bit like the elite class sending bat signals to one another - 'look how well I'm doing'.

Plus, Westminster Abbey's loss is very much Bridlington's gain. David Hockney turned down the offer of being buried alongside kings and queens. Instead, the artist opted for his final resting place to be the East Yorkshire seaside town, alongside his mother and sister. David and Farzana celebrate the wonderful reputational legacy he's left to Brid.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4


Tune in to When It Hits the Fan for a masterclass in reputation management, hosted by two insiders who have lived through the pressure of the headlines. David Yelland, former editor of The Sun, and communications expert Simon Lewis, bring their unparalleled experience to this BBC Radio 4 podcast. Each week, they dissect the most spectacular public relations meltdowns making news, offering a rare glimpse into the frantic world of crisis managers and spin doctors. You’ll hear them trace the origins of a scandal, pinpointing the exact moment strategies began to unravel and public perception shifted. This isn't just commentary; it's a forensic breakdown of how modern media storms are weathered or worsened by those in charge. The analysis is grounded in real-world stakes, exploring the political and personal consequences of every misstep and recovery attempt. For anyone fascinated by the intersection of media, power, and human error, this podcast provides an essential and gripping narrative. Listening feels like being in the room for a candid, post-mortem between two veterans who understand the game better than most. Their conversations reveal the mechanics behind the news cycle, making sense of how stories explode and what happens when control is lost.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

When It Hits the Fan
Podcast Episodes
Simon Cowell's PR: Judged! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:15
It's panto season and panto villains don't come much bigger than Simon Cowell.The music mogul's made a career and fortune playing the Bad Guy on TV talent shows. But is there more to him - and crucially, is it good PR fo…
Nuns on the Run [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:14
It's not easy winning a PR fight when you're up against three octogenarian nuns whose story has become a global smash.This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the case of Sister Bernadette, Sister Regina and Sist…
Power, PR and the 'Epstein Class' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:43
Imagine being able to read the private emails sent between some of the most powerful people on the planet. This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis do exactly that. The release of thousands of pages from the so-called Ep…
Is the BBC 'hopeless at PR'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:34
"They make really stupid basic mistakes and they are hopeless at PR."If you're a podcast about PR, then that quote - made about the BBC this week - is a good place to start when assessing the reputation of the Corporatio…
Two Weeks that Shook the Palace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:43
It was barely a fortnight - but in that time everything seemed to change.This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the dramatic way Buckingham Palace responded to the growing crisis over the then-Prince Andrew. Go…
The Strictly Bombshell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:06
As PR moves go, it would surely have earned a '10 from Len'.But what about the BBC's own communications team, who were seemingly as surprised as everyone else when Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were leav…
The Prince Andrew Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:59
No more Duke of York, no more Order of the Garter. But he is still Prince Andrew. And he is still the King's brother.This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how Buckingham Palace is trying to distance the Royal…
What Victoria Beckham's revelation reveals about PR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:48
Victoria Beckham is no stranger to headlines. And now she's revealed that intense media scrutiny led to her developing an eating disorder. Cue more headlines. One particular article stood out, which asked why those aroun…
Michelle Mone: Her PR Rise and Fall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
This week, David and Simon look at Michelle Mone's meteoric rise and spectacular fall - and examine the PR decisions that have come back to haunt her.The Baroness has come out swinging after a judge ruled a company linke…