10:13 am - March 16, 2026
Traditional newsrooms are overwhelmed with extensive coverage for huge events Readers primarily seek perspective and education, not multiple updates News organisations should prioritise analysis and opinion to better serve digital audiences This is from our weekly Editor’s picks newsletter. Sign up for free here I did something I do…
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…
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…
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 a search engine, according to a recent study by Adobe, highlighting a sharp shift in how people find information online. As audiences increasingly begin their queries inside social video apps, discovery is becoming more visual, personalised and platform-specific – challenging the dominance of traditional search engines. For publishers, this is…
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 at HuffPost have unanimously approved a new three-year contract that pairs wage gains with detailed guardrails on artificial intelligence. The agreement comes as a number of US newsrooms negotiate collective bargaining agreements and as AI becomes a flashpoint at the table. By securing enforceable rules on how generative tools are…
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 Leadership Breakfast when Steve Grove, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune, addressed a room grappling with unrest and uncertainty in local media. Grove — whose career includes senior roles at Google and YouTube and a stint as Minnesota’s commissioner of employment and economic development — has written about…
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. By pairing large language models with external data sources, it turns AI systems from static text predictors into tools that consult documents and databases before responding. For news publishers, that shift could redefine what it means to be discoverable. At its core, RAG combines a retrieval layer with a generative…
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 forum, outlining a business-led approach to artificial intelligence that pairs operational gains with tighter editorial controls. The gathering reflects a shift in tone. Indian publishers are moving beyond pilots and proofs of concept, seeking measurable returns from AI while putting governance frameworks in place to protect credibility and public trust.…
The Boston Globe halts daily print for the first time since 1872 due to a historic winter storm Disruption highlights the shifting economics towards digital news consumption Print subscribers will receive bundled editions as the industry faces weather-related vulnerabilities For the first time since its founding in 1872, The Boston…
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…
Global podcast revenues are forecast to reach hundreds of billions by 2033, showcasing rapid growth. Technological advances and platform innovations broaden creator diversity and listener engagement. Challenges like copyright, ad saturation, and retention demand strategic industry responses. Podcasting has moved from niche pastime to core media channel, reshaping how audiences…
German media giant Axel Springer challenges agreed Mail deal The new bid offers more cash upfront and is fully funded UK regulators probe the merger, raising questions over market dominance In a fresh twist to the protracted sale of The Telegraph, German media giant Axel Springer has joined a rival…
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Publishers see significant audience growth with AI content integration Internal barriers delay adoption despite demonstrable benefits Traditional news models challenged by AI’s cost-effective scalability For the past three years I have walked into meetings with editorial teams feeling like I needed to justify my existence. I run a company…
Widespread use of multiple devices while watching TV influences audience behaviour and advertising strategies Second-screen engagement offers new promotional opportunities but also raises cognitive and health concerns Industry faces a challenge: balancing commercial aims with the potential long-term effects on attention and development Watching television with a phone in hand…
Berkshire discloses new 3% stake in The New York Times, signalling renewed confidence in digital news. Investment follows the company’s strong digital subscription growth and advertising revenue. Move coincides with Warren Buffett’s leadership transition and reflects shifting investment strategies. Berkshire Hathaway has acquired about 5.1 million shares in The New…
Rampart, Joe Aston’s investigative newsletter and podcast, generates revenue in the “multiples” of A$500,000 after one year Its low subscriber churn rate and outsourcing model contribute to rapid profitability and growth The success reflects a broader shift towards sustainable independent journalism outside traditional mastheads Australian journalist Joe Aston says his…
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Lenore Taylor announces her departure after 13 years at Guardian Australia, including a decade as editor Under her leadership, the outlet became one of Australia’s most-read news sources, with major award wins A successor will be chosen through an open process, with David Munk serving as interim editor until then Lenore Taylor has announced she will step down from Guardian Australia after 13 years in senior roles that included a decade as the title’s editor, leaving the organisation she helped establish in 2013. Taylor joined Guardian Australia as a senior member of staff at its May 2013 launch and quickly…
The Athletic integrates more live blogs with video to keep audiences engaged and protect content from AI scraping. Human-led, in-the-moment coverage aims to provide a competitive edge over automated systems. The move coincides with major sporting events, testing the effectiveness of rapid multimedia storytelling. The Athletic is expanding its use of live blogs enriched with video as part of a broader effort to keep audiences on its own sites and to blunt the impact of automated content collection by AI systems. According to a report in Digiday, the move, timed to coincide with overlapping major sporting events this week, reflects…
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Newsweek partners with Google Cloud to create a personalised, AI-driven homepage featuring external sources. The move aims to combat declining web traffic and adapt to escalating AI rivalry among tech giants. Industry-wide shift highlights the fight for user attention in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Newsweek is developing an AI-powered homepage with Google Cloud in an attempt to reverse falling traffic and shrinking search referrals. At a time when many readers bypass homepages altogether, the magazine is wagering that a personalised front page – tuned to users’ interests and local information such as weather, news and stock data – can…
Nearly 87% of Los Angeles Times Guild members approve new labour contract Contract includes wage increases, workplace protections, and AI usage regulations Union wins reflect broader industry tensions amid digital transformation and economic pressures Los Angeles Times journalists have averted a strike by ratifying a new labour contract after nearly two months since authorising strike action. Approximately 87 percent of members of the Los Angeles Times Guild, which represents around 200 newsroom staff including reporters, editors, photographers, and designers, voted to approve the deal. This outcome brings to a close a protracted and challenging bargaining process that extended beyond a…
James Lamont departs after 25 years at the FT to become CEO of Norway’s DN Media Group His extensive experience includes digital innovation, strategic partnerships, and international journalism Expected to bring strategic growth and digital expertise to the Norwegian media publisher James Lamont will leave the Financial Times at the end of the year to become chief executive of Norway’s DN Media Group, closing a 25-year chapter at the FT that spanned editorial leadership, strategic partnerships and digital development. Lamont’s FT career included eight years as Managing Editor, a period in which he helped guide the newsroom through a pivotal…
The NewsGuild-CWA challenges AI use in newsrooms, advocating for human-led reporting Union demands AI assist rather than replace journalists, and seeks protections for intellectual property Industry faces a conflict between efficiency gains and maintaining editorial integrity amid financial pressures The NewsGuild-CWA has launched a campaign called News Not Slop, challenging how artificial intelligence is being rolled out across newsrooms. It captures a growing split in the industry: whether publishers can use automation to stem losses without undermining the human reporting that gives journalism its value. Representing 27,000 workers across North America, the Guild has set out five demands, led by…
Nine US regional newspapers accuse OpenAI and Microsoft of training AI on unlicensed news content Lawsuit seeks over $10 billion in damages and destruction of alleged infringing datasets Case highlights tensions between AI innovation and rights protection in the evolving legal landscape Nine US regional newspapers have launched a sweeping copyright lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, seeking damages that could exceed $10 billion. The plaintiffs include the Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Daily News, New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune and Denver Post. They allege the companies trained AI models on unlicensed news content that the…
Goalhanger to take over Southbank Centre for a weekend festival in 2026 Features major podcast acts and crossover events Aims to merge arts and audio sectors in a historic venue Goalhanger has announced that it will take over the Southbank Centre next year for The Rest Is Fest, a weekend festival that puts the UK’s biggest podcast acts on stage. It is the clearest sign yet of the extent to which the digital audio firm is using events to diversify its offer. Running from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 September 2026, the event will be a centrepiece of the…
Major regional and long-standing titles adopt paywalls to secure revenue Industry acknowledges that reliance on digital ads alone is unsustainable Success depends on refining reader journeys, data use and operational discipline The past fortnight brought two announcements that should make every senior news executive pause. Reach plc is introducing a part-paywall on the Manchester Evening News, one of the country’s largest regional titles, and The Observer, a paper with more than two centuries of history, has launched its first digital paywall. While they are entirely independent decisions, together they signal a broader shift. They reflect the moment when publishers…
The Observer introduces paywall with subscription options to counter news fatigue New digital platform features curated content, puzzles, and audio journalism Move aims to rebuild trust and ensure independence through reader revenue The Observer has introduced its first digital subscription and paywall, paired with the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper’s move to daily publishing. The move – led by new owner Tortoise Media – marks a bet that readers will pay for focused, trustworthy coverage as news fatigue grows. It was accompanied by a redesigned website and a new smartphone app. Subscriptions cost £16 a month or £144 a year,…
MEN Premium launched with with exclusive content and enhanced digital features Subscription model aims to sustain high-quality local journalism amid financial pressures New offerings include ad-lite experience, daily digests, and interactive elements for readers The Manchester Evening News (MEN) has launched a digital subscription called MEN Premium, signalling a clear break from its owner Reach’s previous antipathy toward paid news. Editor-in-chief Sarah Lester said the paper’s role as a source of accurate, contextual reporting has become more important as platforms such as Google, Facebook and TikTok shape how people consume news. “The MEN remains a bastion for accurate, fact-checked and…
Industry leaders emphasise the urgent need to adapt to fast-paced shifts driven by AI and creator integration Traditional media must adopt new skills and operational models around niche content, podcasts and events Strong leadership behaviours are essential to navigate the upheaval and prevent a potential crisis in news organisations When it came to the switch from print to digital, the news media spent a long time pretending that it wasn’t really happening and carried on much as it had always done. Partly this was the result of the decline of print being slow and, for a long time, profitable.…
