3:48 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…
Top stories
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…
Deep dive with
our insights
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.…
All stories
News UK introduces Octave AI, an innovative platform for automating audio ad creation and optimisation. The system uses AI-generated voices, music, and sound effects to craft tailored, broadcast-ready campaigns within minutes. Octave AI combines data-driven targeting with human creativity, transforming the future of podcast and radio advertising. News UK has launched Octave AI, a platform that uses artificial intelligence to automate the creation and optimisation of audio advertising across radio and podcasts. Developed within its Octave audio business in partnership with AI firm AudioStack, the system aims to produce broadcast-ready, personalised campaigns in minutes. The launch matters because it marks…
Journalists are turning to independent, creator-style publishing for more creative control Most creator journalists operate with modest social media followings and income struggles remain significant The shift reflects industry decline and a desire for autonomy in an evolving media landscape A recent Muck Rack study reveals a steady rise in “creator journalism” – independent publishing by journalists outside traditional newsrooms. Of 1,515 journalists surveyed across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and India, 522 identified as creator journalists. Half have been self-publishing for more than five years, suggesting a maturing segment rather than a passing trend. The appeal lies chiefly…
SEO now prioritises trust and credibility over traditional tactics AI systems influence rankings through reputation and authority Content must be optimised for AI snippets and zero-click experiences BrightonSEO 2025 signalled a decisive shift in search strategy: trust has replaced traditional optimisation as the key to success. The consensus among speakers at the UK’s leading SEO event was clear: SEO is no longer about gaming algorithms but about building genuine credibility with both users and the AI systems shaping search results. That transformation, said Yordan Dimitrov, captures the new reality: the era of “SEO versus AI” is over. Search engines and…
Creators now often surpass traditional outlets as primary news sources on social platforms Significant country differences in news engagement with influencers Gender and platform dynamics are redefining the media landscape Creators and influencers are becoming central to the way people consume news, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ). The study, Mapping News Creators and Influencers on Social and Video Networks, draws on survey data from 24 countries and expands on the 2025 Digital News Report to chart the growing role of individual personalities in shaping public understanding of news. The findings…
Creators now often surpass traditional outlets as primary news sources on social platforms Significant country differences in news engagement with influencers Gender and platform dynamics are redefining the media landscape Creators and influencers are becoming central to the way people consume news, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ). The study, Mapping News Creators and Influencers on Social and Video Networks, draws on survey data from 24 countries and expands on the 2025 Digital News Report to chart the growing role of individual personalities in shaping public understanding of news. The findings…
Business Insider announces dedicated ‘Business AI’ byline for AI-generated stories, reviewed by humans Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner pushes routine AI use across newsrooms amid strategic shift Company downsizes staff by 21% to focus on AI-enhanced content and new live events division Business Insider is moving rapidly to embed artificial intelligence into its newsroom operations, launching a dedicated “Business AI” byline for stories produced with machine assistance and human editing. The shift aligns with parent company Axel Springer’s plan to make AI central to all its news brands. AI tools are now authorised across Business Insider for drafting, transcription, research,…
Zurich-based Spatz uses AI to deliver hyperlocal newsletters in Swiss villages High engagement with open rates around 70%, reaching up to 20% of residents Funded by €400,000 grant, plans to expand across DACH region with community focus As local newspapers vanish across rural Switzerland, Zürich startup Spatz is using artificial intelligence to bring journalism back to small communities. Founded by journalist Hannes Grassegger, the company produces hyperlocal newsletters that deliver curated regional news via email and WhatsApp, aiming to fill the “news deserts” left by traditional outlets. Grassegger, once known for investigations into Cambridge Analytica and online disinformation, founded Spatz…
Campaign unites consumers and businesses to bolster Australian economy Major retailers offer discounts on Australian-made products to encourage local support Media and retail partnerships aim to boost trust and pride in Australian brands News Australia has launched a national campaign, Back Australia: It’s Good For All Of Us, urging consumers and businesses to support local products and jobs. The initiative highlights how everyday spending choices can strengthen the economy, boost sustainability and promote resilience. “The campaign comes at a time of rapid change and uncertainty,” said Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia. “Choosing Australian products means backing our…
Tammy Tam appointed as publisher to oversee both content and business Editorial independence emphasised amid organisational changes Moves aim to enhance cohesion and financial resilience in a changing media landscape The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has named editor-in-chief Tammy Tam as its new publisher, a position created to oversee both editorial and business operations. The restructuring aims to align the Hong Kong newspaper’s journalistic and commercial ambitions under a single vision. Tam, who has led the newsroom since 2016, will now assume responsibility for the paper’s broader strategy. Before joining SCMP in 2011, she held senior editorial roles in…
Features AI-driven, proactive browsing with context-aware support Introduces Browser Memories for seamless, personalised research tracking Balances innovative productivity tools with ongoing privacy concerns OpenAI’s new web browser, ChatGPT Atlas, marks a significant evolution in how users interact with the internet, blending traditional browsing with advanced artificial intelligence to create a proactive, context-aware assistant embedded directly within the browsing experience. The browser is currently available for macOS, with Windows, iOS, and Android versions promised soon. Atlas is designed not just to show the web but to understand, summarise, and assist users actively as they navigate various sites, offering a glimpse into…
