2:27 am - June 11, 2026
Former National World executives introduce Profenx, blending AI tools with creator-led content Company develops a platform to enhance digital content economics and expand through licensing and acquisitions Backed by Jaipur Capital, Profenx aims to reshape publishing with innovative models across global markets A group of former National World executives has…
Rainer Esser asserts AI will enhance journalism’s value by emphasising human connection Calls for news organisations to recognise their worth and partner confidently with tech giants Personal storytelling highlights irreplaceable human element in investigative journalism If you’re invited to speak at a conference, you really don’t want a slot at…
The Times adopts a specialised, multi-team approach to video content production Video is now a distinct editorial discipline, not just repurposed print stories Distribution strategies evolve with dedicated platforms like the new ‘Watch’ tab At WAN-IFRA’s World News Media Congress in Marseille, Solana Pyne, video director at The New York…
CNN sues Perplexity AI over copyright violations OpenAI publishes governance framework aligned with new regulations State versus federal fights intensify over AI regulation jurisdiction Three developments last week underscored how fragmented AI governance has become: CNN sued Perplexity AI over alleged copying of its journalism; OpenAI published a governance framework tied to emerging EU and California rules; and the legal battle over state AI regulation in the US continued to intensify. The disputes show AI policy evolving on multiple fronts at once. Copyright enforcement, safety disclosure requirements and constitutional fights over state regulation are advancing separately, forcing AI companies to…
The Vatican’s encyclical calls for AI regulation based on law, oversight and human judgement Pope warns against autonomous weapons, worker displacement and AI-driven conflict Emphasises the importance of moral language in global AI governance debates Pope Leo XIV has thrust the Vatican into the centre of the global debate over artificial intelligence, using his first encyclical to argue that the technology must be governed by law, oversight and human judgement rather than left to market forces or military competition. Entitled Magnifica humanitas — “Magnificent Humanity” — the document presents AI as one of the defining moral questions of the age.…
Goalhanger, launched by Gary Lineker, expands into backing early-stage media companies Moves include investments in Invisible Media and Backyard Cricket to diversify portfolio Company shifts focus from advertising to subscriptions and live events, reaching over 250,000 subscribers Gary Lineker’s media company is expanding beyond podcast production after helping launch Goalhanger Ventures, a new investment arm aimed at backing creator-led media businesses. The move marks a broader shift for Goalhanger as it seeks to build influence across the wider creator economy, not just podcasting. The company has grown rapidly on the back of hit shows such as The Rest is Politics…
Bezos defends the profitability of journalism as a measure of relevance Changes in Google search algorithms threaten traditional news revenue To succeed, news organisations must focus on delivering value and distinctive reporting Jeff Bezos sometimes makes agreeing with him very difficult. This was the case earlier this week when he said in an interview with CNBC that President Donald Trump was “more mature” in his second term than his first and that Amazon’s commission of the Melania documentary was in no way whatsoever an attempt at “buying influence”. It is profoundly depressing that one of the features of this…
Podcasting is evolving beyond audio-only formats to include video and personality-led shows. Major outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian expand video content to reach new audiences. Monetisation models are diversifying with increased focus on advertising, subscriptions, and creator-led enterprises. News podcasting is moving decisively beyond the old audio-only model, with video, personality-led chat shows and creator-style distribution reshaping how publishers make, package and monetise their work, according to a new Reuters Institute report by Nic Newman. The study, The Changing Shape and New Economics of News Podcasting, argues that the medium is being pulled into a broader…
The CMA approves the $3.7 billion acquisition with a sale of Shutterstock’s editorial arm The move aims to prevent market dominance in UK news imagery The deal highlights industry pressures from AI and digital content shifts Britain’s competition regulator has cleared Getty Images’ $3.7 billion takeover of Shutterstock, but only…
Axios expands local reporting to 35 cities with plans for 100. AI tools like GPT assist in drafting and editing, reducing costs. The company balances automation with journalistic integrity amidst industry scepticism. Axios is betting that artificial intelligence can do something many publishers have struggled to achieve for years: make…
Byron Allen expresses continued interest in acquiring The Washington Post Set to control BuzzFeed and HuffPost through latest deal Envisions broader streaming strategy with BuzzFeed to rival established digital outlets Byron Allen has said he still wants to buy The Washington Post, even as he prepares to take control of…
Examines the American focus on prestigious awards over reader needs Critiques the biased and inward-looking nature of the Pulitzers Argues that abolition could renew journalism’s relevance to the public The difference between American and British journalism is clear in what they choose to display in their newsrooms. Visit any…
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Mediahuis and other major news organisations form SPUR to address AI content use Initiative aims to create standard licensing frameworks for AI and journalism Focus on transparency, traceability, and fair remuneration for news content Mediahuis, the acquisitive Belgian publisher with outlets across Europe, has become a founding member of SPUR,…
MIT Sloan Management Review to cease print publication in 2026 Transition to newsletters, videos, social media and podcasts A strategic response to changing management communication trends MIT’s decision to close MIT Sloan Management Review after 67 years marks the end of one of the most durable business school brand extensions…
Byron Allen’s family office to acquire a controlling stake in BuzzFeed for $120 million The deal includes a shift in leadership and a focus on AI and user-generated content BuzzFeed aims to reinvent itself amid declining revenues and a disrupted digital landscape BuzzFeed has struck a deal to hand control…
James Murdoch is in advanced talks to acquire Vox Media’s New York Magazine and podcast division through Lupa Systems. The deal could extend Murdoch’s media influence into prestigious publishing and podcasts, diverging from his family’s conservative media empire. The potential sale highlights ongoing consolidation and challenges within digital media and…
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Newsweek recovered from debt and declining readership through strategic alliances Key partnerships with Google Cloud and Statista drove significant growth in traffic and trust The revival exemplifies a shift towards collaborative models in legacy media success stories Newsweek’s turnaround under chief executive Dev Pragad has been driven less by internal restructuring than by a series of partnerships that helped rebuild the publisher’s audience, technology and commercial business. When Pragad took over, the company was carrying more than $25 million in debt and struggling with declining readership. Rather than rebuild every capability in-house, Newsweek focused on outside partnerships to supply technical…
The Washington Post begins rehiring staff after massive layoffs in February Some employees returned on a temporary basis to fill critical gaps The move raises questions about the paper’s strategic direction and workforce stability The Washington Post is attempting to stabilise its newsroom after February’s sweeping layoffs by quietly bringing back some of the journalists it had just let go, a sign of how quickly the impact of the cuts became apparent. According to reporting by the Columbia Journalism Review, editors began contacting dismissed reporters in March, asking some to return on what the union calls a “delayed layoff” basis.…
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News Corp reports a 2% rise in revenue to $2.14 billion, surpassing estimates Digital and subscription segments drive growth, while traditional publishing faces headwinds Strategic restructuring consolidates Murdoch family’s control, boosting shareholder returns News Corp has posted better-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, lifted by growth in its Dow Jones and digital real estate segments. Revenue rose 2% year-on-year to $2.14 billion, surpassing Wall Street’s $2.10 billion estimate. The Dow Jones division – home to the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s – was the main driver, with revenue up 6% to $586 million. Consumer product subscriptions climbed 8% to nearly 6.4…
Perplexity signs multi-year licensing deal with Getty Images to incorporate licensed visuals into AI search tools Agreement aims to address legal and reputational challenges associated with unregulated content scraping Market reacts positively, with Getty’s stock rising, signalling a shift towards regulated AI content usage Perplexity, the AI search engine often criticised for its approach to content use, has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Getty Images. The deal gives Perplexity access to Getty’s vast library of editorial and creative images, integrating them directly into its AI-powered search tools via Getty’s API. It marks a turning point for both companies: Getty…
Launch of Future Audiences Initiative aiming to foster collaboration between legacy and independent news creators Introduction of News Creator Exchange to support innovative storytelling and audience engagement Focus on building trust, combatting disinformation, and advancing AI adoption in newsrooms worldwide The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has unveiled the Future Audiences Initiative, a global effort to unite established news organisations with independent creators and digital-native publishers. The programme seeks to drive collaboration, innovation and learning across the media spectrum, particularly among those who have lacked access to professional networks and recognition. At its centre is the News Creator…
The New York Times reaches 12.33 million subscribers, nearing 2027 target Digital revenues and subscriber numbers surge, offsetting print declines Strategic focus on video, AI, and diversified content driving future growth The New York Times Company reported robust third-quarter results for 2025, marking a milestone in its digital evolution as total subscribers surpassed 12 million for the first time. The company reached 12.33 million subscribers, buoyed by 460,000 new digital-only additions — a step toward its 15 million target for 2027. Subscription revenue climbed 9.1% to $494.6 million, led by a 14% rise in digital-only subscriptions to $367.4 million. Growth…
What happened when ChatGPT interviewed a human expert about a project where the human expert used AI agents to replicate the contributions of 1,000 people about the potential uses of AI in journalism… Prompt (ChatGPT 5 Thinking mode) You are an expert journalist who is particularly skilled at interviewing. You focus on transformative technology and are unusually thoughtful and strategic in your approach to interviews about deeply disruptive technologies. You prepare comprehensively for every interview, and you are skilled at progressing through the interview using a combination of penetrating questions developed from your preparation and on-the-spot responses to the interviewee’s…
The Daily Aus achieves financial break-even with 310,000 newsletter subscribers. Pivot from social media reliance to newsletters drives growth and sustainability. Diversified content and trust-driven journalism securing resilience in youth media sector. The Daily Aus, a youth-oriented Australian news outlet, has reached a major milestone by breaking even financially for the first time, marking a rare success story in the struggling digital media sector. Co-founder Sam Koslowski told Mumbrella the company has “totally inverted the revenue mix” over the past two years, shifting from reliance on social media to a strong newsletter-based model. The Daily Aus now claims 310,000 newsletter…
Teen Vogue to operate under Vogue’s digital platform, maintaining its youth-focused identity Editor-in-chief Versha Sharma departs amid organisational restructuring Staff layoffs spark criticism, raising concerns over political coverage for young audiences Teen Vogue is merging with Vogue.com, a major shift that will see its editor-in-chief, Versha Sharma, depart after less than two years in the role. The move is part of Condé Nast’s broader effort to streamline operations and extend Vogue’s digital reach, particularly among younger readers who have become crucial to the brand’s growth online. Chloe Malle, Vogue’s head of editorial content, will oversee both Vogue and Teen Vogue.…
The former National World has appointed Morgan Stevenson as its new chief growth officer Stevenson brings extensive digital and commercial experience from Newsquest and other roles The move signals a strategic push towards digital subscriptions and sustainable growth in regional media Iconic, formerly known as National World, has secured a significant appointment in its leadership ranks by recruiting Morgan Stevenson as its new chief growth officer. Stevenson joins Iconic under its new ownership, Media Concierge, which acquired the company from David Montgomery in May. With a commanding portfolio of 150 regional news brands across the UK and Ireland –including prominent…
The Lansing Journal seeks 50 new monthly donors to unlock a $12,000 matching fund The campaign aims to boost community engagement and financial stability Experts highlight matching gifts as a vital strategy for sustaining independent local news The Lansing Journal is poised for a major fundraising boost through its inaugural participation in NewsMatch, a nationwide campaign that supports nonprofit journalism by matching reader donations. The initiative offers donors the chance to double the impact of their contributions, particularly encouraging new monthly supporters whose gifts will be matched for a full year. The campaign challenges The Lansing Journal to recruit 50…
Puck and Air Mail deal unites two premium brands The move expands Puck’s reach into luxury, travel, and lifestyle sectors Reflects ongoing consolidation trend in subscription newsletter market Puck has finalised its acquisition of Air Mail, the upscale weekly newsletter founded by former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and Alessandra Stanley, in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at about $16 million. The deal brings together two subscription-first brands targeting affluent, culturally attuned audiences. Air Mail, launched in 2019 after Carter’s departure from Vanity Fair, built a reputation for high-end travel, culture and society coverage. Puck, founded in 2021 by Kelly, has…
