The two rival newspapers in this series are called "The Herald" and "The Post". The latter is a right-wing sensationalist tabloid whose format and masthead are markedly similar to those of the real-life newspaper "The Sun", although "Post" is, of course, a synonym for "Mail", and the "Daily Mail" is the name of another right-wing popular newspaper. "The Herald" is a serious left-wing liberal newspaper whose format is very similar to that of the real-life newspaper "The Guardian". This first episode reveals that it was originally called "The Yorkshire Herald"; "The Guardian" began life as "The Manchester Guardian". There once was a left-wing daily newspaper in London called "The Daily Herald"; it ceased publication in 1963.
The briefly-seen character of "George Emmerson", owner of "The Post", seems designed to remind viewers of real-life newspaper magnate Rupert Murdoch, whilst the resemblance of fictitious columnist and controversialist "Wendy Bolt" to the real-life Katie Hopkins could hardly be clearer.