2:37 am - September 15, 2026
B2B publishers excel in redefining their value propositions and embracing change Bold pivots, like Euromoney’s shift from journalism to intelligence services, highlight adaptability AI is viewed as an asset rather than a threat, used to enhance specialised content and customer experience There is a lot to learn from B2B…
Berkshire increases stake in The New York Times to $1.1 billion Rising digital subscriptions and advertising boost publisher’s performance Investment signals confidence in media’s digital transition and subscription model Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has continued to build its position in The New York Times, extending a bet on legacy media…
Macron advocates for a unified European ban on social media use for children under 15 The EU aims to deploy a privacy-respecting age verification app by 2026 Critics highlight challenges in rolling out secure and effective age checks across member states French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for an EU-wide…
Byron Allen cuts 35% of BuzzFeed’s workforce to improve profitability Restructuring aims to shift focus towards streaming via Local Now Company plans significant cost savings and content realignment Byron Allen has begun a sharp overhaul of BuzzFeed, cutting about 180 jobs and contract roles across BuzzFeed, HuffPost and Tasty in what amounts to roughly 35% of the workforce. The reductions, disclosed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, are the first major restructuring since Allen’s family office took control of the digital publisher in May. BuzzFeed said the move is designed to simplify operations, lower costs and…
Highlights the importance of integrating AI in newsrooms to foster meaningful change Emphasises the need for journalists and managers to view AI as a tool for value creation Warns of cultural hurdles and stress on verifying information in the AI era Need some summer reading? This week’s newsletter comes in the form of a book review. Not perhaps a suggestion for the sun lounger, but nevertheless one that every journalist should read. It’s called AI in the News Room and it was written by Martin Schori, former head of the AI Hub at Aftonbladet in Stockholm and now the…
Berlin-based startup Beatsquares raises $2 million in seed funding to enhance its AI platform The platform converts editorial content into multiple formats across digital channels Funding will support team expansion and international growth efforts Berlin-based AI startup Beatsquares has raised $2 million (about €1.8 million) in seed funding to expand its platform for automatically repurposing editorial content across multiple digital channels. The round was co-led by IBB Ventures and XTR Capital, with participation from ddvg, Dutch media investor V-Ventures and a group of business angels. It follows a $500,000 pre-seed investment secured in late 2024. Founded in 2024, Beatsquares aims…
Suggestion for industry-focused ‘Festival of Failure’ to promote open discussion of setbacks Critique of current journalism events highlighting repetition and lack of actionable takeaways Advocates for shorter days, more networking, and panels focused on failures to foster growth and innovation “I want to start an uncomfortable conversation: Are there too many journalism events?” So said Marcela Kunova, the owner and operator of journalism.co.uk (JUK), last week. She continued: “I just looked at my agenda and JUK events calendar. It’s gone out of hand. Conferences, festivals, summits, workshops, talks, congresses, study tours, awards. Dozens of great events are clustered between April…
Disney-owned 20th Television partners with Vox Media Studios to develop scripted and unscripted projects Focus on adapting journalism and podcasts from Vox Media brands for Disney+ and other outlets Partnership reflects industry trend of transforming established media content into premium streaming entertainment Disney-owned 20th Television has struck a multi-year first-look agreement with Vox Media Studios, broadening a relationship that will give both companies room to develop scripted and unscripted projects built around Vox Media’s reporting and podcast brands. The deal is expected to feed into Disney Entertainment Television outlets including Disney+, with a particular emphasis on adapting material from New…
Media Concierge Group posts £12.9m EBITDA for first full period post-acquisition Integration of National World (now Iconic Media Group) has gone smoothly, boosting performance Company aims to strengthen local titles while expanding its UK and Ireland publishing footprint Media Concierge Group has said the integration of National World has gone…
Economist launches Economist Play, a $15/month multimedia bundle combining videos, podcasts, and newsletters Strategy aims to reach a younger, gender-balanced audience with mobile-first content Emphasis on newsroom authenticity through faces and voices, moving away from anonymity The Economist has launched a lower-cost subscription bundle built around audio and video, in…
Data shows games and interactive content drive deeper user loyalty. Publishers are overestimating the importance of breaking news for app retention. Investment should focus on habit-forming features to reduce churn and build routines. I used to bristle when I worked at The Sunday Times and a friend said he had…
Der Spiegel refuses to let AI write or rewrite its articles, citing responsibility and trust. Industry faces tension between efficiency and accountability in adopting AI tools. Growing concerns over accuracy, transparency, and the future role of human journalists. Whether journalists should use artificial intelligence to write stories has become one…
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Getty Images strikes a multi-year licensing deal with OpenAI The partnership enhances ChatGPT’s image relevance and trustworthiness Shares rise as Getty aims to monetise its archive amid AI-driven disruption Getty Images has struck a multi-year licensing deal with OpenAI that will allow its pictures to appear in ChatGPT’s search and…
Complaint alleges that OpenAI and Microsoft used nearly 400 newspapers’ reporting without permission Case marks the largest coordinated legal action by local news publishers on AI training issues Suit aims to protect local journalism and challenge the use of copyrighted material in AI development A coalition of local newspaper publishers…
Forbes launches Forbes Creator to leverage social media personalities New platform combines journalistic content with creator autonomy Aims to expand reach, diversify content, and develop commercial opportunities Forbes is deepening its push into creator-led distribution, using social media personalities and specialist voices to widen its reach beyond its own platforms…
Social media and video now the primary news sources globally Trust in news drops to a historic low of 37%, with Americans trusting only 25% News organisations face the challenge of rebuilding trust amidst AI content proliferation Forget the World Cup, for news nerds this week has brought unbridled excitement…
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A debate in Lexington underscores tensions between traditional reporting and AI-assisted news The Kentucky Lantern champions human-made journalism, while Lexington Times utilises AI for coverage The dispute reflects broader challenges facing shrinking local news ecosystems across the US A small but telling dispute in Lexington, Kentucky, has opened a wider argument about the future of local journalism, especially the role of artificial intelligence in newsrooms that are trying to survive with fewer staff and thinner budgets. The spark came when Linda Blackford, editor-in-chief of the Kentucky Lantern, wrote about AI and journalism and stressed that the Lantern’s work is produced…
Bonnier News poised to become majority owner of Irish media group after partnership expansion Deal under review by regulators, with new leadership and board structure upcoming Business Post Group cites significant financial recovery and growth prospects Swedish publisher Bonnier News is set to become the majority owner of Business Post Group, in a deal that will leave founder Enda O’Coineen with a significant minority stake through his Kilcullen Family Office. The transaction marks a further step in a relationship that began in 2023, when Bonnier took a minority equity position in the Irish company. It still requires approval from the…
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Kamal Ahmed joins as Executive Editorial Director for UK and Europe to boost visibility. Francesca Cassidy is appointed Editor – Features and Fortune 500 C-Suite to focus on insight-driven content. Strategic move aims to deepen connections with Europe’s senior business leaders through journalism and events. Fortune has made a series of senior editorial appointments to strengthen its influence among European business leaders. Kamal Ahmed becomes Executive Editorial Director for the UK and Europe, while Francesca Cassidy takes on the role of Editor – Features and Fortune 500 C-Suite. The hires form part of Fortune’s strategy to grow its visibility and…
Shoppers and marketing teams are discovering better ways to plan, approve and publish content , especially if StoryChief’s collaboration limits or thin analytics aren’t cutting it. This guide rounds up the best StoryChief alternatives, what each one does brilliantly, and which to try depending on your workflow and budget. Essential Takeaways Planable shines for teamwork: Real-time collaboration, drag-and-drop rescheduling and multi-level approvals make it feel effortless and precise. Bynder is a DAM favourite: Excellent for brand asset control and automatic optimisation, though publishing tools are limited. Allfred fits agencies needing finance and resourcing: Strong budgeting, CRM and burnout prevention features…
Celebrates five decades of leadership in journalism education and ethics Launches new initiatives to combat misinformation and support local journalism Focuses on youth engagement and AI literacy to prepare future reporters and citizens The Poynter Institute for Media Studies celebrated its golden anniversary on 10 November, honouring half a century of shaping journalism around the world. Born of the vision of Nelson Poynter, the editor and owner of the then St Petersburg Times, the institute was created to safeguard editorial independence by placing his newspaper under nonprofit ownership. That pioneering move in 1975 laid the foundation for an organisation dedicated…
Revenue increased slightly to £279.4m in 2024 despite market challenges Digital subscriptions grew by 11%, offsetting print declines Ownership saga continues with pending sale to RedBird Capital amid regulatory hurdles Revenue and operating profits at The Telegraph held steady in 2024 despite ongoing turmoil over who owns the paper. Newly published accounts from Press Acquisitions Limited, the parent company of Telegraph Media Group and the Chelsea Magazine Company, show a 1.2% rise in revenue to £279.4 million for the year ending 29 December 2024. Operating profit before exceptional items slipped by just 0.2% to £54.6 million, maintaining a 20% margin,…
Top BBC leaders resign after controversy over edited Trump speech in Panorama documentary Both Tim Davie and Deborah Turness cite editorial failings and take responsibility Future of BBC leadership and trust restoration efforts remain uncertain The BBC is facing one of the gravest leadership crises in its history after the resignations of Director-General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness. Both stepped down following a storm over the editing of Donald Trump’s speech in a Panorama documentary, accused of misleading viewers about the former US president’s comments before the Capitol riot. Davie, who had led the corporation for five years,…
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…
