2:38 am - March 25, 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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CEO Barbara Peng outlines the publication’s strategy to capture a younger audience and enhance its distinctiveness. Business Insider is experiencing “meaningful growth in subscriptions after implementing an AI-powered paywall, according to Barbara Peng, its CEO. In an interview with Oliver Darcy, she said the publication is intent on maintaining its appeal to a younger demographic while expanding its impact and reach over the next five years. “We want Business Insider to be the go-to destination for business, tech, and innovation journalism,” said Peng. “We’re known for our conversational and to-the-point style, and I think that’s why we attract a younger…
Major digital news publishers in India have initiated a legal challenge against OpenAI, alleging improper use of copyrighted content, as the landscape of AI-generated content faces heightened scrutiny. Digital news publishers in India, including the digital units of billionaires Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, have initiated a legal challenge against OpenAI, alleging the improper use of copyrighted content by the company, according to legal documents seen by Reuters. The lawsuit involves prominent media outlets such as Adani’s NDTV, Ambani’s Network18, The Indian Express, and the Hindustan Times. These publishers are requesting to join an ongoing legal action brought against…
Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief AI scientist, urges European leaders to enhance funding for artificial intelligence to bridge the investment gap with the United States. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief AI scientist, called for increased investment in artificial intelligence from Europe and described recent US funding initiatives as potentially unrealistic. His comments, made during an interview with AFP, highlighted the significant disparity in investment strategies between Europe and the United States. LeCun, considered one of the pioneers of AI, specifically referenced a $500 billion funding plan announced by former US President Donald Trump aimed at…
Less safe for users, less safe for brands? The industry reacts to Meta’s contentious policy pivot. Mark Zuckerberg’s seeming full embrace of Donald Trump’s presidency at this week’s inauguration has drawn further attention to his volte face on content moderation on Meta’s platforms and the disbanding of internal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) teams. According to Meta’s global business head, Nicola Mendelsohn, its moderation and policy shifts won’t change anything for the digital advertising ecosystem. Yet with fact-checkers scrapped in favour of X-like community notes and revised hateful content rules set to permit more discriminatory language, there are growing concerns…
In a multimedia news environment, publishers will be keenly watching CNN’s shift to non-linear formats. CNN announced a significant restucturing this week as part of a new strategic plan from its CEO Mark Thompson. About 6 per cent of the CNN workforce, equating to around 200 jobs, will be cut as the company pivots to adapt to evolving audience consumption behaviours. Simultaneously it is recruiting for hundreds of new positions through a forthcoming $70 million investment from parent company Warner Bros Discovery. In his memo to employees, Thompson stressed the necessity of evolving in response to “profound and irreversible shifts”…
Recurly’s latest State of Subscriptions report highlights a significant decrease in subscriber acquisition rates Recurly’s ninth annual State of Subscriptions report highlights a notable decline in subscriber acquisition rates, emphasising the importance of retention strategies in the subscription-based content market. The subscription management firm’s report draws from an extensive analysis of data derived from millions of consumers, providing valuable insights into the transformation of the subscription economy. According to the report’s authors, it aims to furnish merchants with “strategies and one-of-a-kind solutions for overcoming the industry’s ever-evolving challenges to drive growth.” Research findings reveal that subscriber acquisition rates have decreased…
The youth-focused publisher wants to become a ‘global entertainment powerhouse’, according to its CEO. Lad Bible Group continues to prosper in a challenging publishing landscape, with its revenue tripling from £30 million in 2020 to £90 million in 2024, predominantly fuelled by advertising. As brands hesitate to invest in news, the group’s audience has grown by 19% in the first nine months of the year, surpassing 503 million. In an interview with Digiday, CEO Solly Solomou discussed the company’s strategies for sustaining this momentum and achieving its target of £200 million in revenue. “Last year marked a good step towards…
Anna Bateson, CEO of Guardian Media Group, outlined a positive future for the paper as it navigates choppy waters. The Guardian’s digital reader revenue will exceed £100m this year, having grown from around £4m a decade ago, according to the UK title’s chief executive Anna Bateson. Overall more than 60% of the company’s revenue now comes from readers, whether from print sales, subscriptions or contributions. Speaking to The Drum, as part of their excellent News Horizons series with Mark Challinor, Bateson emphasised the paper’s commitment to enhancing the global reach and digital presence of The Guardian. It now has a…
Music AI raises $40 million in Series A funding to advance ethical AI solutions for the music industry, amid growing concerns over copyright issues. Music AI, a company focused on developing artificial intelligence solutions for the music and audio sectors, has successfully secured $40 million in a Series A funding round. This funding round was led by Connect Ventures, a joint venture between Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and New Enterprise Associates (NEA), along with Brazilian investor monashees. Other contributors to the funding included Kickstart, Samsung Next, Toba Capital, Valutia, Pelion, and several notable figures from the music industry, including songwriter…
The news industry faces a crisis in its business model, but also in its core activity of journalism. We overproduce content, cling to outdated formats and ignore what our audiences really want. Here’s a manifesto for change In 1973 Tom Wolfe, the American journalist turned novelist, published a collection of writing that he dubbed The New Journalism. It was a tribute to a kind of journalism that was expansive, descriptive, challenging and bold in its ambition. Its aim, declared Wolfe, was nothing less than “dethroning the novel as the number one literary genre”. I bought the book in 1990…
