From publishing to advertising, a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers shows there is cause to be optimistic about the UK’s media sector – and even the decline of magazines and newspapers is expected to ease off between now and 2017. Raymond Snoddy takes a look at the figures and notes that confidence begets confidence – and in the end becomes self-fulfilling…

As Twitter announces a new TV advertising platform and Facebook comes under fire for driving users away with ‘irritating’ marketing strategies, what does the future hold for the social media giants? Raymond Snoddy investigates, and warns that social media networks have to be very smart and careful if they are not to put at risk what has been achieved…

Following the Competition Commission’s “brutal” ruling for Global Radio yesterday, Raymond Snoddy argues that there could also be severe repercussions for Local World as the OFT examines David Montgomery’s regional newspaper initiative.

From Sun+ Premier League clips and BT’s ‘free sports’ deal to ITV’s England qualifiers coverage and even Channel 4’s Paralympics win – sport is shaking up vast swathes of the media. Yet the only certainty in all this flurry of activity is that there will be only one winner says Raymond Snoddy…

As Sir Alex Ferguson announces he is to retire as manager of Manchester United, Raymond Snoddy argues there are lessons business leaders can learn. Indeed, it is not even too fanciful to see comparisons in the way that Peter Fincham, ITV’s director of television, has built up an improving roster of programmes and executives. And after poaching BBC Four controller Richard Klein this week, his team is only getting stronger…

Two weeks before the Hacked Off Royal Charter goes to the Privy Council for a formal signing off, media lawyer Geoffrey Robertson has reminded us what a poor record British judges have in protecting free speech and has suggested that an ombudsman would be a better resolution. We should listen says Raymond Snoddy, because the concept might break the impasse over competing Royal charters. But is it all too late?

From an angry systems analyst paying out of his own pocket to place a full-page ad in the Guardian, to corporate apologies and M&C Saatchi Thatcher tributes – newspapers are still one of the strongest advertising mediums for sheer impact in a digital age. Why? By Raymond Snoddy.

Appointing James Harding as director of news and current affairs of the BBC is a courageous move by director-general Tony Hall, says Raymond Snoddy. It’s a tough job being in charge of 3,000 journalists, so what is Harding going to be up against in the new role, and how would he have handled the most recent kerfuffles at the BBC? Pens ready; its time for an exam…

In a world where seemingly every other thought from Joe Public is, often on a whim, published for the world to see and as newspapers lose their grip over their long-held monopoly setting nationwide opinion, Raymond Snoddy looks at how social media has revolutionised public debate – and charts its pitfalls after a busy week of terrible tweets and censored comments.

As the new BBC director general starts this week, Raymond Snoddy explains what he will need to do to help save a corporation undergoing one of the worst crises in its long history.