The Observer, The Salt Path and the secret roots of attention
There are untold thousands of memoirs based on lies. So why did this one catch such widespread attention?
Latest
20 years ago
Two decades ago, a series of terrorist attacks shook London. And I found myself on the cusp of two worlds of journalism.
Media & AI: exponential change is here
The media industry has been trapped in digital disruption for two decades. AI is only going to accelerate that change. Buckle up.
Six insightful reactions to the Digital News Report 2025
In amongst the relentless self-promotion, there are gems of wisdom to be found in LinkedIn…
Digital News Report 2025: exponential media change is here
The era of incremental media change is over, and the emerging media tsunami is upon us. It's exponential all the way from here on out.
Walking the tightrope between AI and audiences
Yes, being left behind is a risk. But so is destroying audience trust while leaving ourselves in hock to toxic companies.
Cuttings #1
Essential reads on AI, SEO and Bluesky
When did you last reply to someone on a social network?
A little more conversation, a little less promotion, please
Is Trump a blogger or a social object?
The relationship between Trump and other users of his social media platform Truth Social is interesting, and not a little alarming.
The problem isn't AI, the problem is humans
We have a great new tool. We just have to learn to use it properly…
Why is media so… conservative?
For an industry so obsessed with news, why are we so reluctant to cover new things?
Sit quietly and read time: AI, Meta, money and… Tintin?
Some worthwhile reading gleaned from my open tabs over the Bank Holiday weekend…
Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t know what he’s doing
Nowhere does the heroic myth of the founder look more tarnished than in the tattered remnants of the Facebook creator's reputation.
audience strategy
Friday night's fine for linkin'
Lots of good stuff to read – and think about – over the weekend
A new threat for newsletters?
The simplicity of the in-box is a thing of the past. Can we handle categorisation?
City St George’s
XCity 2025 is here
The latest annual issue from our MA Magazine journalism students
Journalism
Trust me, I’m a journalist
We're labouring under the illusion that the public trust us. Time to wake up.
AI
How are audiences feeling about AI in 2025?
More research showing just how wary audiences are of AI being used in journalism
quartz
Quartz finally burns out
A moment's silence for one of the great 2010s journalism innovators
Book recommendations: Drax & Meta
How money from the slave trade is still influencing British politics — and the inside story of the people in Facebook that ended up upending society.
AI
Meta pirated books — and trained AI on them.
And it looks like some of mine were in there.
Seeking refuge from the technofeudalist attention economy – in print
Print doesn't have to die for digital to win.
AI
The AI trap has closed around Apple. Don’t be next.
Apple tried to make AI a personal answer engine. It failed. It's a warning to all businesses.
The humour and morality void at the heart of Meta
A new book is confirming every dark suspicion we had about Facebook