GB News sorry for Fox tirade vs female reporter | Telegraph sale latest contenders
And reporters are largely absent today from magistrates courts, warning from news agency boss
Good morning and welcome to your daily media news briefing on Wednesday, 27 September, brought to you today in association with Reuters News Agency - where the news gets its news. Their latest report, Powering trusted news with AI, is available to download now.
Where does news come from?
It's not created by AI and often does not originate in the national press or broadcast media. A huge amount of stories begin in magistrates courts where all suspected criminals, from the most heinous to the minor, make their first appearances.
These courts are a boundless well of news which is today going largely untapped, according to news agency boss Jon Harris who says publishers are abandoning grassroots court coverage.
Today we also provide an update on the race to buy The Telegraph which is hotting up.
We list all the runners and riders from media aristocrat Lord Rothermere to journalist and former comprehensive schoolboy made good Sir William Lewis.
GB News is in trouble AGAIN, this time over some really unsavoury comments directed against a female journalist live on air by actor Laurence Fox. Both GB News and host Dan Wootton have already said sorry. But their apologies feel a little like the XL Bully owner who doesn’t close the side gate and then says sorry after it attacks the postman.
And finally, a clarification on Russell Brand.
I wrote in yesterday’s newsletter that London’s Met Police confirmed they are investigating the former comedian Russell Brand (in a departure from normal police policy around information prior to charge). The police did not actually name Brand, but their statement was nonetheless significant. I explain why here.
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New from Press Gazette
GB News suspends Laurence Fox after tirade against female journalist on Dan Wootton show
Ofcom is assessing complaints over “totally unacceptable” comments made by Laurence Fox about Ava Evans, the political correspondent for online news site Joe, during Dan Wootton’s GB News show on Tuesday.
Race to buy The Telegraph: Who are the latest runners and riders?
Press Gazette will update the following story as bids are confirmed or discarded, or new information comes to light.
Russell Brand investigation: Why Met Police issued statement to media despite privacy rules
“It must have felt that saying nothing would have been untenable considering the amount of interest in the case.”
News industry failings have led to ‘secret justice’ plan for rape trials
“The fact is we are guilty of bringing this latest trouble on ourselves.”
News in brief
Following its third nationwide strike on Monday, National World has written to staff saying it is investigating the strike ballots "due to concerns regarding their legal validity". The company told staff earlier this month "the NUJ has no national recognition" with the company.
Ofcom has fined the Islam Channel £40,000 for airing a documentary about a conspiracy theory that originated in a neo-Nazi publication, with the regulator saying the broadcast amounted to "hate speech against Jewish people". (Ofcom)
Some 35% of people in 18 countries think artificial intelligence will make generating and summarising news better in the next five years, with 23% saying it will get worse. But people are more concerned in the UK, where 20% say AI will make news better and 37% think it will get worse. (Yougov)
Revenue at The Tab, Daily Mash, The Poke and Entertainment Daily publisher Digitalbox was down 34% to £1.2m in H1, with the company citing the widespread drop in traffic from social media as a factor. Digitalbox says it plans to pivot towards more social video assisted by AI. (Digitalbox)
Thank you to all who joined us at the Future of Media Technology Conference and the Future of Media Awards earlier this month in London. You can see the full highlights video here.
Podcast 56: Is the future looking brighter for Future? Jon Steinberg CEO interview
CEO of Future plc Jon Steinberg explains why he believes his company still has the right ingredients for success (whatever the stock market may currently seem to think).
He also talks about how he has tackled taking over from a highly successful predecessor, what he thinks about AI in publishing and how the company is just starting to generate revenue from digital subscriptions.
Previously on Press Gazette
Online subs, events and advertising fuel FT revenue boost for 2022 to £458m
Bristol Cable launches campaign to boost member income by £60,000 in a year
Attorney General makes Russell Brand contempt warning despite no active proceedings
Reach puts 13 staff at risk of redundancy, including Express royal correspondent
FT launches new app to recreate print edition for international readers
NCTJ’s fight to save Community News Project after ‘heartbreaking’ Meta decision
