The world’s oldest Sunday newspaper, the Observer, has been sold to Tortoise Media, with the Scott Trust becoming a key shareholder and promising significant investment to enhance its digital offerings. The sale of The Observer, the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper, to Tortoise Media has been agreed in principle, with current owner the Scott Trust set to become a key shareholder and provide significant investment. Ole Jacob Sunde, chair of the Scott Trust, said it had sought a well-resourced partner to help evolve The Observer. “We knew we needed the right combination of resources and commitment to build a new platform…

It’s very early days but publishers are reporting promising signs from their engagement with Bluesky. Publishers are exploring the nascent social media platform Bluesky, assessing its potential compared to established platforms like X and Threads. As Bluesky experiences a surge in new users, the level of referral traffic generated by this fledgling platform remains significantly lower than that from X, prompting many media organisations to adopt a cautious, test-and-learn approach. According to data sourced from analytics firm Chartbeat, Bluesky has thus far generated around 0.017% of social traffic referrals to publishers from November 1-21, which equates to 0.8% of the…

Louise Holmes from Meta argues that AI can enhance creativity in the media sector, urging industry leaders to embrace the technology as a tool for innovation. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being viewed as an opportunity for creativity and productivity rather than a threat, according to Louise Holmes, director of global partnerships for EMEA at Meta. Speaking at Content London this week, Holmes asserted that fears surrounding AI stem from a lack of understanding, reiterating the technology’s potential to enhance, rather than replace, creativity in the media and publishing sectors. In her keynote address, Holmes outlined AI’s capabilities in supporting creative…

Answer engine optimisation (AEO) is the next stage in the rapid transition away from traditional SEO. Publishers have spent the past decade or so honing their strategies to best use SEO. Now they have to learn a new skill – answer engine optimisation, or AEO. This innovative strategy focuses on enhancing the accessibility and relevance of content by providing users with direct, concise answers to their queries, in response to the evolving expectations from search engines like Google. In traditional SEO, the emphasis is on rankings within search engine results pages (SERPs) through keywords, backlinks and on-page elements. AEO shifts this…

Leading media organisations have launched legal action against OpenAI for the unauthorised use of their articles in AI training. A coalition of prominent Canadian media organisations has initiated legal action against OpenAI, citing the unauthorised use of their articles in the training of its artificial intelligence models. This lawsuit, first reported by The Guardian, was filed on Friday and marks a significant move in the ongoing discourse about the ethical use of AI-generated content and the implications for copyright and intellectual property. The coalition, which includes influential entities such as The Globe and Mail, the Canadian Press, the CBC, the…

The strategy chief at the Dutch public broadcaster NPO has been brought in to enhance AI capabilities in news publishing. Ezra Eeman has been appointed to spearhead a series of AI initiatives at WAN-IFRA, aiming to bolster the integration of artificial intelligence technologies within the news publishing sector. With an extensive background in media innovation and digital transformation, Eeman is expected to assist WAN-IFRA members in navigating the rapidly advancing AI landscape, facilitating a clearer understanding of AI opportunities while fostering collaboration among media professionals. Eeman expressed enthusiasm about his new role, noting the critical nature of mastering AI in…

The Republican-led administration may reverse key AI regulations established under President Biden, impacting issues of copyright, user privacy and ethical standards for AI-generated content. The evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation is set for a seismic shift following the 2024 United States elections, as the incoming Republican administration grapples with pressing issues surrounding copyright, user privacy and ethical considerations in AI-generated content. Donald Trump’s return to the White House is likely to herald a move towards a pro-business regulatory environment, contrasting sharply with the previous administration’s focus on corporate accountability and safety standards. The crux of the discussion around…

Among initiatives is the Facebook Content Monetization Beta Programme which is aimed at enhancing earnings and engagement for creators through performance-based models. Meta Platforms has reported a significant achievement in its support for content creators, announcing that it has disbursed over $2 billion in earnings so far in 2024. This development, highlighted in a recent blog post by the company, emphasises Meta’s commitment to rewarding creators through innovative monetisation strategies. Central to this initiative is the newly introduced Facebook Content Monetization beta programme, which is designed to simplify and broaden earning opportunities across various content formats. Since launching its monetisation…

Journalists at The Guardian and Observer will stage a 48-hour strike on December 4 and 5 to protest the planned sale of The Observer to Tortoise Media. Journalists at The Guardian and Observer newspapers will stage a 48-hour strike on December 4 and 5 in protest of the planned sale of The Observer to Tortoise Media. This action follows an overwhelming vote in favor of a strike by members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). The strike, scheduled for the earliest legally permissible date, is expected to significantly disrupt print production. A second 48-hour stoppage is reportedly planned for…

The decision has sparked criticism from writers’ groups, spotlighting concerns over resource allocation amid industry-wide changes towards AI and digital engagement. Hearst Magazines has announced layoffs as part of an operational restructuring aimed at reallocating resources to align with its evolving business strategy. This decision was communicated in a memo from Debi Chirichella, president of Hearst Magazines, who emphasised the publisher’s commitment to digital innovation while maintaining the quality of its established print products. With a diverse portfolio that includes well-known brands like Elle, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, and Town & Country, Hearst Magazines did not specify the exact number…