Mirror-OK! merger 'not about headcount' | Lords slam government inaction on SLAPPs
And Associated Newspapers "strongly" denies allegations from Prince Harry's lawyer that journalists' emails and documents were deleted
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Opponents of the Mirror-OK! merger stand open to accusations of snobbery.
Showbiz has always been a staple of Mirror coverage, especially since the 1990s when Piers Morgan launched the 3am girls column.
But the fact remains that one title is associated with names like Cudlipp and Crerar while the other is associated with Katie Price, Peter Andre and Ant and Dec.
It is the latest dramatic change at publisher Reach, which must pedal ever faster to keep the lights on in an online world where ad-funded journalism is under threat.
I've taken a close look at the story here.
With print circulation and online page views both currently in sharp decline, consolidation of Reach's publishing assets is inevitable.
The more significant story at Reach is investment in the 60-strong central team which includes audience writers and general assignment journalists who can focus on popular online topics which comes at the same time as experienced journalists are cut from the national newspaper titles.
Today we also have more from the House of Lords Future of News report, which asks why Labour has not come good on its promise to take action against the abuse of the courts to stifle journalism.
The cost for publishers of fighting legal claims is illustrated by the action of Prince Harry and co against the publisher of the Daily Mail. The case has not even gone to trial yet and costs for both sides are estimated at £38m.
In future it will be a brave publisher who pries into the private life of public figures, whatever the public interest, because very few organisations could afford to defend such stories in court.
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On Press Gazette
Mirror merger with OK! mag not about reducing headcount but concerns remain
Editor Caroline Waterston told Press Gazette: “Our brands will remain completely distinct as will many of our teams, for example, production, news and politics. The Mirror has a long and proud history of campaigning and investigative journalism and will continue to bring a wide audience to this important work.”
Lords slam government inaction on SLAPPs, calling for action by summer
The Communications and Digital Committee’s “The Future of News” inquiry said in its final report that there was no longer “a valid excuse for lengthy delays” and “what is missing now is political will”.
Mail publisher ‘strongly denies’ lawyer’s allegation of document deletion
The mother of murdered teen Stephen Lawrence was "alerted" to the potential case by a text from Prince Harry.
News in brief
Major investment group Apollo Global Management is in early talks to help fund Dovid Efune's bid for The Telegraph, as are other debt providers, according to Sky News. The exclusivity period deadline is now expected to be extended. (Sky News)
X has filed an objection to The Onion's purchase of Infowars, arguing that the Infowars X account is the property of the Elon Musk-owned social media platform and should therefore not transfer to The Onion. (404 Media)
Women in Journalism Scotland has launched a fifth round of its mentoring scheme for early to mid-career journalists. Mentors include the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg and Kirsty Wark, Scottish Daily Mail's Heather Dewar and STV News' Laura Boyd. (Women in Journalism Scotland)
Hearst chief executive Steve Swartz has told Axios that it is set to generate more than half its profits from B2B services, rather than consumer-facing print products and TV stations, for the first time this year. Overall revenue is projected at $12.8bn. (Axios)
Also on Press Gazette:
Scott Trust says ‘talks continue to progress’ over Observer sale to Tortoise
Warning of imminent, ‘irreparable’ fracture of news landscape without action
National World accuses shareholder seeking takeover of financial ‘irregularities’
Observer sale to Tortoise: Press freedom groups seeks answers from Scott Trust
Observer writer speaks out over ‘grave threat’ to title at press freedom conference
Jay Rayner leaves Observer as departing editor slams planned sale
Reach ends year with more redundancies but reports net increase in staff
Podcast 78: Generative AI in the newsroom at The Telegraph
Telegraph Media Group director of technology Dylan Jacques talks to us about the title’s ambitious plans to roll out a new generative-AI powered feature every month for 12 months.
It has already rolled out AI-written summaries and various internal tools which are helping journalists use AI to improve content, increase reader engagement and so sell more subscriptions.