Lucia Osborne-Crowley (@luciaoc.bsky.social)

The Epstein files: where did the media get it wrong? The crimes of the dead convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, now behind bars for sex trafficking, still reverberate globally as the political fallout continues. Years after many tried to ignore, minimize, or bury the truth, the case still casts a long shadow; in the United States, the Epstein files story continues to dominate American politics while in Britain, a prince has been stripped of his title. This panel asks whether in the post-#MeToo era women’s and girls’ testimonies carry the weight they should. Did the news media fail to give this story the sustained, rigorous coverage it deserved from the outset? And how can journalists protect survivors when reporting stories entangled with powerful institutions and individuals? The panel will explore what the media has learned — and what it still must learn — about reporting sexual abuse, navigating power, and ensuring that survivors’ safety remains at the centre of the story. The discussion will bring together three women with unique and essential perspectives. Moderated by Annette Young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhFnk4xmDjk