The nature of terror has changed beyond recognition since Philip Geddes died in an IRA explosion in 1983. That change, and the response of the media class to it, is the theme of this unapologetically personal essay.

This is an edited version of the Philip Geddes Memorial Lecture given in the Examination Schools, University of Oxford, on Friday 27 October 2006.

About the Author: Matthew d’Ancona is editor of The Spectator and political columnist for The Sunday Times and GQ. He was named Political Journalist of the Year in 2006 by the Political Studies Association.