The British media has always been populated by larger than life figures – from Northcliffe to Maxwell, Beaverbrook to Harmsworth, Barclay to Lebedev and, of course Rupert Murdoch.

They have used their power to undermine or promote governments; create scare campaigns; and use their power to enrich themselves or others. They have been scandal-ridden and the huge phone-tapping saga from a decade or so ago, for instance, embroiled many media companies.

To Murdoch’s credit, of course, is his refusal to solicit the perks of honours and titles which most other media barons have sought. Beaverbrook, for all his pernicious impacts on politics, also did one wonderful thing – reorganising British aircraft production, which was undoubtedly a major factor in wining the Battle of Britain.

But now the latest media power centre is a small outfit which Private Eye, among others, has spent much time dismissing or scoffing about. But scoffing aside, GB News now outrates BBC News and the UK Sky News on some days.

GB News is becoming increasingly influential and its support for the right-wing party, Reform and its leader Nigel Farage, has helped Farage become the preferred British prime minister according to a number of........

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