11:19 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 forward-thinking Scandinavian publisher has announced a deal with the AI provider. The Scandinavian publisher Schibsted Media has formed a strategic partnership with OpenAI to enhance the accessibility of its journalism through OpenAI’s platforms, including ChatGPT. This collaboration aims to integrate real-time news articles from selected Schibsted brands, such as VG, Aftenposten, Aftonbladet, and Svenska Dagbladet, into OpenAI’s products. The deal is interesting because Schibsted has been one of the leaders among global media in developing its own AI tools. According to a press release from Schibsted Media, the integration will make up-to-date news summaries available to ChatGPT’s users, with…
The Super Bowl this weekend is the season’s climax for a sport that has innovation at its core. A couple of weeks ago I realised the extent of the growing reach of the NFL. Walking along the suburban streets near my home in London I looked into the windows of the ground-floor flats and saw not one, not two, but three of them had TVs showing that Sunday evening’s game. This is a phenomenon, I thought. In the UK, the NFL benefits from having little sporting competition on a Sunday evening, when matches in our football typically finish around…
The publisher’s quarterly report reveals successes in digital sectors while traditional revenues decline. Rupert Murdoch’s former newspaper group, News Corporation, reported mixed results this week amid hints from chief executive Robert Thomson that Dow Jones, real estate and book publishing are now its priorities. The Dow Jones segment, home to The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s, achieved record revenues of $600 million, marking a 3% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was fuelled by a 5% rise in circulation and subscription revenues, with digital subscriptions now accounting for 81% of total revenues. The Wall Street Journal…
With 45% of its audience under 30, The Independent is focusing on authentic storytelling to keep them coming. The Independent has seemingly worked out how to attract young audiences, with 45% of the publication’s audience, which totals around 25 million users, being either Gen Z or millennials, according to its editor-in-chief Geordie Greig. Speaking on BBC’s The Media Show podcast, Greig talked about the evolving demands of these younger demographics, saying: “There’s a hunger for authenticity. It’s trust and truth they want.” This focus on credibility aligns with prevailing trends indicating that younger generations are gravitating towards sources that resonate…
The publisher of the Mail titles sees a 34% increase in operating profit, crediting cost reductions and digital advancements amid slight revenue declines. DMGT, the UK publisher best known for the Mail titles, has reported a significant increase in operating profit for its consumer media division, crediting strategic cost reductions and an effective digital transition. For the year ending 30 September 2024, DMGT’s consumer media business achieved an operating profit of £53 million, marking a 34% increase year on year, despite a slight revenue decline of 2% to £613 million. The company’s overall financial performance showcased an 11% rise in…
The global AI text generator market is anticipated to reach nearly $2 billion a year by 2032. The global market for AI text generation is expected to rise significantly over the next few years. Worth $425m in 2023 it is expected to grow nearly 20% a year to reach $1.8 billion in 2032. This data highlights the significant role AI tools will play in sectors such as e-commerce, media, healthcare and education, where they automate the production of articles, marketing materials and more. The tools enable businesses to swiftly generate extensive amounts of tailored content, which is crucial for sectors…
The UK tabloid has announced that it is asking readers to subscribe for exclusive features. The Sun has introduced a new paid content strategy a decade after it abandoned a previous attempt at a paywall. The new Sun Club, which will require readers to pay for access to exclusive features, including columns by popular contributors such as Jeremy Clarkson and content from Dear Deidre, its agony aunt. It will officially launch on Tuesday at an introductory price of £1.99 per month. The Sun says its club will provide members with “no-holds-barred access” to selected premium content, including exclusive video segments…
The fourth edition of event in Riyadh features major tech and entertainment companies. The Saudi capital, Riyadh, is positioning itself as a hub for modern media through the hosting of significant media forums and advanced studios. The fourth edition of the Saudi Media Forum is set to take place from February 19-21 and will be the largest media gathering in the Middle East. This year the forum will welcome prominent technology and content giants, including Sony and Google, who will provide insights into artificial intelligence and the future of news. Additionally, major players from the entertainment industry, such as Netflix,…
The gaming vertical of the Daily Mail has built a strong social presence driven primarily by engagement on TikTok. The Daily Mail’s gaming vertical, Mail Gaming, has surpassed a social footprint of half a million followers within just one year of its launch. This growth is driven by TikTok, showcasing how publishers can build young and diverse audiences online. It is also an example of how news media organisations are experimenting with different revenue options as core businesses contract. Tracy Middleton, head of media and entertainment at Mail Metro Media, told The Media Leader, “It’s been a very exciting 12…
OpenAI has introduced a new AI tool that can generate comprehensive reports in minutes with implications for the publishing industry. OpenAI has unveiled a new AI tool named “deep research” that it claims can generate reports comparable to the output of human research analysts. This announcement highlights the company’s continued push to deploy systems capable of autonomously carrying out complex tasks. The new tool, announced shortly after OpenAI pledged to accelerate its product releases due to competition from Chinese rival DeepSeek, is designed to perform extensive research efficiently. According to the company, deep research can accomplish in merely 10 minutes…
