Newsguard downgrades NYT, GB News | Google removes news links in California
Plus Sun and Mail in dead heat for audience reach, BBC says it made error in report on trans murderer, plus we have your news diary for the week ahead
Welcome to your daily newsletter from Press Gazette on Monday 15 April, brought to you today in association with Opti Digital, an adtech company developing innovative AI-based technologies designed to help publishers maximise their advertising revenues.
Self-appointed guardians of online journalism standards Newsguard have downgraded their credibility scores for The New York Times, GB News and the Daily Star.
We've had a look at how 84 leading English-language news websites fare under the Newsguard system.
GB News has made a good point in response: who the heck are Newsguard? But the US company's rating system is transparent, independent and seems to be robustly researched, so worth looking at (and I'm not just saying that because Press Gazette scored a perfect 100/100 Newsguard rating!).
We also have a limited release of the latest official audience data for UK commercial newsbrands which shows The Sun and Mail titles neck and neck at the top of the table in terms of combined print/digital reach.
Google is flexing its muscles in its home state of California as it faces Australia-style legislation which could force it to make payments to publishers. In response the tech giant is removing links to news websites for some users and pausing new payments to publishers in the territory.
And the BBC has said it was wrong not to tell readers that convicted murderer Scarlet Blake was transgender.
It is the latest ruling which highlights an ethical pickle for publishers. The IPSO Editors' Code states: "Details of an individual's race, colour, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental illness or disability must be avoided unless genuinely relevant to the story."
This avoids crass headlines which make reference to someone's sexual orientation or gender identity to sensationalise a story.
A landmark ruling from the old Press Complaints Commission in 2014 outlawed headlines such as "Sex-swap scientist gored by stag".
The BBC, which is covered by its own and Ofcom rules, said Blake being trans was "material to an understanding of the case".
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Promoted report
How have eCPM evolved over the course of 2023?
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New from Press Gazette
Newsguard downgrades credibility scores for New York Times, GB News and Daily Star
Newsguard markets its database of ratings to advertisers, tech platforms and internet service providers, and in theory those customers could use the scores to decide, for example, which sites to place programmatic adverts on or surface in news feeds. But it is unknown how many customers Newsguard has or who they are.
Google trials removal of California news sites in response to proposed ‘link tax’
It follows similar, ultimately empty, threats to block news in Canada.
Sun and Mail neck and neck in terms of UK audience reach – but one edges ahead
Given the margin of error in the Pamco survey, the two titles continue to be in a statistical dead heat.
BBC says omission of trans identity of murderer Scarlet Blake was breach of accuracy rules
The broadcaster faced some criticism in February for describing Blake as a woman and using she/her pronouns. However Blake transitioned her gender identity in childhood.
News diary 15-21 April: Trump’s first criminal trial to begin, Olympic flame lit, London Marathon
A look ahead at the key events leading the news agenda this week, from the team at Foresight News.
News in brief
Newsbeat news bulletins on BBC Radio 1's Breakfast with Greg James have been cut from three minutes to one. (Deadline)
GB News has been the subject of 21,671 complaints to Ofcom between its June 2021 launch and 12 March 2024. TalkTV has received 20,492 since its April 2022 launch. This compares to 7,560 for Sky News since 2021, 1,348 for ITV News and 792 for Channel 4 News. (The i)
The Financial Times's 18-month newsroom apprenticeship scheme is now open in collaboration with the Manchester Evening News, with an NCTJ qualification and time in both newsrooms. It aims to reach those from minority ethnic and disadvantaged socio-economic groups. (gov.uk)
Comedian Joe Lycett guest edited this weekend's Observer New Review, focusing on his home city of Birmingham. Editor Jane Ferguson said: "We hope that his infectious love of Birmingham, playful wit and fierce support of the arts in its many forms will be a treat for readers.”
Meanwhile, Lycett has identified the four fake stories he planted in the British media over the past month, which included claims that men from Birmingham had the longest penises in the UK and that a statue of H from Steps was being erected in the singer’s hometown. (The Guardian)
STV journalists will walk out on strike on Tuesday for the second time in under a month in a dispute over pay, requesting a 6% rise. They have also voted to strike again on 1 May, to coincide with STV's annual general meeting. You can read Press Gazette’s report on the first strike here.
US news organisations including CNN, Fox News, USA Today, AP and C-SPAN have issued a rare join statement calling on Joe Biden and Donald Trump "to publicly commit to participating in general election debates before November's election". (ABC News)
Internal projections at nonprofit newsroom The Intercept suggest the organisation could run out of cash by May 2025, although its chief executive said the modelling represented only a "worst-case scenario". (Semafor)
ITV is considering running paid political adverts on streaming service ITVX, it has told The Guardian, taking advantage of a loophole that bars political advertising on television channels but not online on-demand services. (The Guardian)
The Russian government has designated BBC Russian correspondent Ilya Barabanov and science reporter Asya Kazantseva as foreign agents, meaning they must be identified as such on Russian social media and in stories. Both journalists now live outside Russia. (BBC News)
Ukrainian outlet Slidstvo.info claims its journalist Yevhen Shulhat has been served with a conscription summons in retaliation for an investigation into the personal finances of a senior leader in the country's domestic security service. (Committee to Protect Journalists)
In other Ukraine war news, the CPJ has said that four Ukrainian journalists were injured in Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv last week. (CPJ)
The CPJ has also called for an independent probe into an Israeli shelling in Gaza on Friday that injured four Palestinian journalists who the nonprofit says were clearly identified with press insignia. (CPJ)
Newsnight diplomatic editor Mark Urban is leaving the BBC next month having worked on the show since 1995. It follows the announcement in November of changes to the long-running show that will shave down its investigative output in favour of "interview, debate and discussion". (Urban on X/Twitter)
Previously on Press Gazette
UK news media rich list 2024: 60 highest-earning execs revealed
Second wave of local newsletter launches from The Lead in North of England
Google’s fight in France and what it means for UK publishers
Editors unite in bid to stop anti-SLAPP bill being ‘ultimately redundant’
Henry Winter made redundant from The Times as Mail sports journalists await restructure
Open Democracy cuts about ten jobs, including head of news and political correspondent
Latest podcast
Podcast 68: How to make news pay on Youtube with TLDR News
Founder of video news network TLDR News Jack Kelly explains how he funds an 11-strong editorial team providing serious news for younger viewers on Youtube.
The profitable publisher is funded mainly through the Youtube ad revenue split and direct-sold sponsorship – but also made a successful foray last year into print publishing.
Press Gazette live
Entries are now OPEN for the Future of Media Awards 2024 (which celebrate the best journalism-based digital products). Check out the full list of categories here. Note: These awards are free to enter.