40 Years of Press Mastery from İan Hislop: 'The Thing That Kills You is Timidity'

İan Hislop, the legendary editor of Private Eye, one of İngilterenin's established satire and news magazines, celebrates completing his 40th year in the role. Hislop evaluated the current state of the press world and his career at an event organized by the İngiliz Dergi Editörleri Derneği (BSME) in Londrada. Resisting publishing the magazine on online platforms despite the widespread digitalization, Hislop emphasized that he has not lost his faith in the traditional press. The experienced editor, who clearly stated that he has no intention of leaving his position, will continue to pursue constant innovation while preserving the culture and spirit of the magazine. Addressing the attendees, he stated that courageous decisions are the key to survival in the media sector.

Private Eye's commitment to print publishing represents a business model that is questioned in today's digital age but surprisingly works. Hislop noted that despite not sharing the magazine's content on the internet, they managed to increase the number of paying subscribers by more than double since 2000. According to data from the second half of 2025, the magazine reached over 167 thousand paying subscribers and approximately 56 thousand dealership sales, achieving a total circulation of over 225 thousand. These figures show that the magazine has been able to maintain its circulation steadily over the last decade. The editor explained that during the Covid-19 pandemic, they aimed to cheer up readers by adding a two-page cartoon section to the magazine and that such bold moves always yielded positive results.

Despite a general atmosphere of pessimism in the media sector, Hislop argues that printed publications still hold strong authority. Drawing attention to the epidemic of disinformation created by social media and digital platforms today, Hislop states that Private Eye's role has changed over time. He noted that the magazine, once known as a publication that broke new news, now focuses more on debunking widespread fake news. Cartoons and a mocking tone are seen as effective ways to combat disinformation and deliver the truth to readers. This situation paves the way for Private Eye to transform from merely a humor magazine into a serious news verification tool.

Hislop, one of the leading figures in the press world, also made candid statements about the magazine's internal hierarchy and employment structure. Hislop, whose motto is that 'timidity kills you,' warned against old-generation fears within the magazine such as 'people won't want it,' 'young people don't read,' or 'they listen to podcasts.' Speaking humorously about podcast culture, Hislop said that the transcript of a podcast is actually a piece of journalism writing, showing that traditional reporting has returned. Hislop noted that there is also a distinct loyalty in the magazine's corporate structure, with employees generally not wanting to leave and doing everything they can to stay at the magazine. While Hislop did not give a clear date for leaving the editorship, he implied that the young talents in the office are always ready for this position.

Another important factor underlying the success of Private Eye stems from the deep and special connection the magazine establishes with its readers. The magazine's constantly repeated jokes and nicknames, which are not explicitly explained to readers, may seem complicated for new readers at first glance. However, Hislop emphasized that this approach makes regular readers feel like they are part of an exclusive and knowledgeable club. This culture of loyalty stands out as the magazine's greatest shield against the waves of digitalization. Hislop paints an exemplary portrait of a professional who seeks ways to combat fake news in the news media and believes in the permanence of print publishing. With his 40 years of experience, İan Hislop, who shows how a bold, innovative, and steadfast stance can be maintained in the media, continues to inspire the press world with his decision to continue his legendary role.