6:49 pm - March 24, 2026
Highlights the importance of audience teams in newsrooms Critiques their ongoing marginalisation despite proven value Advocates for promoting audience specialists to leadership roles This first appeared in our weekly newsletter Editor’s picks. Sign up here I have long believed that op-ed columnists should be given five years in the…
dpa partners with Google to foster collaboration between newsrooms and digital creators The programme aims to enhance fact-based reporting and experiment with new formats Participants will showcase findings at a Hamburg event with practical industry recommendations Deutsche Presse-Agentur has launched a programme to connect traditional newsrooms with digital-first creators, aiming…
Axios embraces AI as a core part of its growth and innovation strategy The company is automating tasks and reducing staff amid rapid technological change Leadership emphasises maintaining journalism quality through exclusive reporting and expert insights Axios is accelerating its use of artificial intelligence as it seeks to expand its…
Over 1.5 million research papers processed with AI in 2025, with a 25% forecasted increase in 2026 Springer Nature’s Snapp platform integrates AI tools to streamline manuscript handling and reviewer management The publisher balances efficiency with human oversight, ensuring transparency and research integrity Springer Nature says it processed more than 1.5 million research papers through AI-assisted editorial workflows in 2025 and expects that figure to rise by a further 25 per cent in 2026 as it expands the technology across its journals. The publisher says nearly 60 AI tools are now embedded in different stages of manuscript handling to assist…
The New York Times newsroom has grown by over 50% in a decade, marking ongoing success. Historical overexpansion at the Washington Post serves as a cautionary tale. Industry-wide decline and AI disruption suggest caution against large-scale staffing growth. This first appeared in our weekly newsletter Editor’s picks. Sign up here Food portions, the economy, TVs, apartment blocks, wars and people – a week in New York has reminded me that America just keeps getting bigger. You could add the New York Times to that list. This week AG Sulzberger, its publisher, revealed that its newsroom has now grown to…
Gen Z remains the primary audience for TikTok but shows signs of waning trust Users nostalgic for earlier, less commercial days and more cautious about content Creators and users increasingly turn to alternatives like YouTube amidst TikTok’s shift towards commerce TikTok remains the platform Gen Z turns to most often for culture and entertainment, but fresh research points to a weakening bond between the generation and the app once famed for its carefree, algorithm-driven creativity. A survey conducted by The Harris Poll finds that while 37% of Gen Z users still make TikTok their first stop for entertainment, pop culture…
Vox names Steve Heuser as executive editor, starting 23 March Heuser brings extensive experience from Politico and Boston Globe Focus on strengthening coverage across politics, policy, and explanatory journalism Vox has named Steve Heuser as executive editor, the company said in a statement, with Heuser due to begin the role on 23 March. The appointment was announced by Vox’s editor‑in‑chief and publisher Swati Sharma, who said Heuser would work with the newsroom’s leadership to shape coverage priorities, bolster editors and reporters, and help steer the outlet’s journalism amid a rapidly changing media environment. At Vox, Heuser will have editorial oversight…
Rashida Jones, former MSNBC president, takes on leadership of Uncensored Uncensored aims to diversify its streaming and social content globally Industry observers see her role as key to scaling Morgan’s digital brand Former MSNBC president Rashida Jones has been appointed chief executive of Uncensored, the digital media venture fronted by British broadcaster Piers Morgan. The appointment puts Jones in charge of strategy, operations and editorial development as Uncensored looks to broaden its mix of streaming and social content beyond its flagship programme, Piers Morgan Uncensored. Her arrival comes as digital news and commentary ventures race to build sustainable models based…
News Corp’s CEO outlines a strategy combining licensing and litigation to protect journalism content The company has secured multi-million dollar deals with tech giants like Meta and OpenAI for AI training data Thomson emphasises the importance of reliable news sources for AI development and warns against unauthorised use News Corp…
Nearly half of US consumers now turn to TikTok for search, a 20% increase in two years Gen Z is the most active, with 64% using TikTok for online searches Marketers should focus on short-form, visually engaging content to optimise discovery Nearly half of US consumers have used TikTok as…
Unanimous approval of a three‑year contract by HuffPost Writers Guild of America East members Agreement includes AI content review, advanced deployment notice, and protection against impersonation Salary minimums increase by nearly 10%, with improved parental leave, sick leave, and professional development funds Members of the Writers Guild of America East…
Steve Grove discusses the decline of traditional local newspapers amid rising citizen reporting The Star Tribune adapts through digital innovation, risking operational cuts Signs of growth emerge through increased online subscriptions despite funding challenges Sometimes the context around a conversation reshapes its meaning. That was evident at last Friday’s Good…
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RAG combines retrieval and generative models to deliver up-to-date, accurate answers Structured data and schema markup boost content discoverability for AI systems SEO strategies are shifting towards fact clarity and entity prominence to favour AI-driven search answers Retrieval-Augmented Generation — or RAG — is changing how information is surfaced online.…
Indian newsrooms focus on deploying AI for operational efficiency and editorial integrity Practical case studies highlight automation of routine tasks and fact-checking tools Industry emphasises responsible AI use, governance and safeguarding against manipulated content Leaders from India’s newsrooms joined international experts in Bengaluru last week for WAN-IFRA’s AI in Media…
Mediahuis reports marginal revenue growth of 2% in 2025, with a strategic shift from print to digital The company’s radio and online marketplace divisions experience notable expansion Stronger cash position enables further digital investments and cross-border acquisitions across Europe Mediahuis, the Belgium-based publisher which also has titles in the Netherland,…
Major UK news organisations launch SPUR to combat unauthorised AI training use Aim to establish licensing standards and secure fair compensation for original reporting Initiative underscores concerns over AI’s impact on journalism’s economic sustainability Some of Britain’s largest news organisations have launched a coalition to challenge the unauthorised use of…
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Programme targets young media leaders across EMEA to foster responsible AI use in newsrooms 12-week, tuition-free initiative supported by Google News Initiative aims to narrow innovation gap Focus on skills development through real-world challenges, mentorship, and collaborative learning WAN-IFRA has unveiled the NextGen AI Leaders Programme, a 12-week initiative to help young media executives lead responsible AI adoption and strengthen newsroom management. The tuition-free scheme reflects WAN-IFRA’s effort to back a more diverse generation of leaders and narrow the innovation gap between well-funded global publishers and smaller, mid-sized and local news organisations. “To take full advantage of the opportunities AI…
John Mulholland brings decades of international editorial experience to the paper His appointment aims to enhance breaking coverage and long-form storytelling The outlet seeks to innovate tone, technique, and technology in local journalism Kevin Delaney, editor in chief of The San Francisco Standard, has appointed Fleet Street veteran John Mulholland as managing editor, according to a staff memo published by Talking Biz News. Mulholland will oversee day-to-day news operations, working with section editors on breaking coverage and long-form journalism. He will report to Delaney and is due to start on Monday 30 March. He lives in Sacramento and has served…
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The Washington Post’s Opinions section undergoes a significant move under its billionaire owner Jeff Bezos. Jeff Bezos, owner of the Washington Post, has announced a significant shift in the newspaper’s Opinions section, framing it as a platform to advance concepts of personal liberties and free markets. The announcement to staff on Wednesday aligns with Bezos’s evolving political ideologies and marks a departure from the prior mission statement that framed the Post as an advocate of truth-to-power journalism, famously encapsulated by the motto “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” which was adopted during Donald Trump’s first presidency. In a follow-up communication, publisher Will…
In a recent interview, the former CEO discussed key strategies that have driven Industry Dive’s growth. Sean Griffey, the former CEO of Industry Dive, recently shared insights into the company’s successful strategies during an appearance on The Rebooting Show, hosted by Brian Morrissey. The discussion highlighted key principles that have been instrumental in Industry Dive’s growth, which may offer valuable lessons for professionals in the B2B publishing sector. One of the notable aspects of Industry Dive’s approach is its emphasis on targeting a specific audience. Griffey noted that the company would intentionally turn off advertisements if a news story gained…
Dow Jones’ Factiva introduces an AI-driven marketplace, connecting publishers with corporate clients for enhanced content accessibility and licensing. Dow Jones has developed an AI marketplace through its business information and research company, Factiva, enabling publishers to license content to corporate entities. This initiative has seen rapid growth, increasing its network of publishing partners from about 4,000 in November to nearly 5,000 in recent weeks, reflecting a significant uptick in interest since its inception. Factiva, which maintains relationships with more than 30,000 global news, data, and information sources, is leveraging its content network to enhance research and data tools for hundreds…
All major publishers have called on the government to reconsider reforms to copyright laws that could allow AI firms to extract content unlicensed, jeopardising the lucrative creative sectors. Every major UK news publisher has called on the government to reconsider proposed reforms to copyright laws that could facilitate the unlicensed extraction of content by artificial intelligence (AI) firms. This plea comes on the final day of a government consultation regarding these proposals, amid warnings that such changes threaten the lucrative creative industries, which generate £126 billion annually for the UK economy. The so-called Creative Rights in AI Coalition, encompassing a…
The Danish podcast platform has reached milestone by focusing on localised content and creator relationships. Podimo, the Danish podcast platform, has announced that it has reached 1 million paying subscribers globally, which underscores its rapid growth and expansion since its inception. Founded in 2019, the podcast subscription platform now operates across six markets in Europe and Latin America, claiming profitability in three of these regions. According to Podimo’s CEO and founder, Morten Strunge, the platform’s growth is attributed to its commitment to localising content and strategic acquisitions, including Dag en Nacht Media, Tonny Media, and PodAds. Speaking to RedTech, Strunge…
The Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry has published a provisional report addressing the threats posed by major digital platforms to local news media. The Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI) in South Africa has released its provisional report, detailing findings and recommendations aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the local news media in the digital landscape. This inquiry comes in response to concerns that the American tech giants are undermining competition and restrict the viability of news media in South Africa. It has undertaken a comprehensive process over the past 16 months, which included public hearings, evidence…
The School of Journalism & Strategic Media has introduced modules on AI and media literacy. The University of Arkansas (UA) School of Journalism & Strategic Media is experiencing a surge in student enrolment as interest in journalism education remains robust despite the industry’s challenges, particularly after Arkansas State University (ASU) discontinued its multimedia journalism programme last spring. Bret Schulte, the school’s director, said that while this change may not have directly influenced UA’s rising numbers, it underscores the need for sustained journalism training. “Every time we lose a journalism training ground, we lose a little journalism,” said Schulte. “We need…
A small decline in circulation is balanced by strong growth in its Espresso app. The latest circulation results from The Economist reveal a decline in both digital and print subscriptions. The publication reported a global digital circulation of 970,074, which marks a 2% decrease, alongside a print circulation that fell by 10% to 442,957. A spokesperson for The Economist said that the decline in subscriptions is partially attributed to the way the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) accounts for bundle subscriptions. Specifically, the ABC counts these bundles as two subscriptions, so when bundles are cancelled, the overall decline in recorded…
As digital publishers cling to traffic numbers, the need for quality engagement metrics becomes increasingly vital for success and sustainability. I’ve dubbed this piece “the traffic jam,” and I can assure you it has nothing to do with the 405 in Los Angeles, the M25 in London or the Boulevard Périphérique in Paris at rush hour. Rather, it’s about how so many digital publishers still cling to the idea that sheer volume of clicks, views and page impressions is the be-all and end-all of success. For far too long at HBM Advisory, we have watched publishers treat traffic like…
Elon Musk is making expansive claims for the latest version of his AI model. This week xAI, the artificial intelligence startup founded by Elon Musk, revealed the latest iteration of its language model, Grok, branding it as the “smartest” and “maximally truth-seeking” AI available. The announcement was made during a livestreamed demonstration on X, Musk’s social media platform. Musk claimed that Grok-3, which has been trained with ten times more computing power than its predecessor, surpasses competing models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4o and DeepSeek’s V3, in key performance metrics such as mathematics, expert reasoning and coding abilities. A significant feature of…
