Telegraph auction begins | BBC News deputy CEO on reporting Hamas
And we have a handy round-up of news from the week just gone in case you've missed anything
Good morning and welcome to your daily media news briefing on Friday 20 October.
And they’re off.
FTI Consulting has today launched the sale process for Telegraph Media Group and The Spectator.
We have all the runners and riders in the purchase race here. And in case you missed it, here’s our interview published yesterday with digital production supremo Catherine Bentley-Gouldstone which helps explain why the Telegraph is still such a prized asset.
Axel Springer, DMGT, Will Lewis (backed by?), the Barclays, News Corp, Martin Clarke (again with mystery backers), GB News investor Paul Marshall and David Montgomery’s National World are all believed to be in the mix.
And with a general election looming into sight, Lloyds Banking Group will not want to hang around.
Given the Telegraph’s print edition probably only has a decade left before sales dwindle to insignificance, the massive interest in the brand is a huge vote of confidence in its digital future. And that’s encouraging news for all of us working in the news business.
Meanwhile, deputy chief executive of BBC News Jonathan Munro has admitted the corporation made a mistake in its reporting of the bombing of a hospital in Gaza Strip. And he said the corporation is “doubling down” on getting its language right.
New from Press Gazette
Telegraph and Spectator sale processes kicks off
“The boards of the parent companies of Telegraph Media Group Limited and The Spectator (1828) Limited announce that their advisers will today be launching a sale process for each of the businesses.”
BBC News deputy CEO says broadcaster ‘doubling down’ on getting language right in Israel-Hamas coverage
“The correspondent [Jon Donnison] was wrong to speculate about the cause of the explosion of the hospital.”
Former Sun Online art director Paul Mortimore dies aged 46
His designs helped the Sun Online to become the UK's most popular newspaper website in 2009.
Kirsty walks: Newsnight presenter to step down
News comes amid rumours the BBC current affairs programme is facing cutbacks.
News in brief
Beyond Taki
The Spectator is looking for two new columnists, the Standard's Londoner's Diary reports. The news comes after the death of 'Low Life' columnist Jeremy Clarke in May and the sentencing this month of 'High Life' columnist Taki Theodoracopulos for attempted rape. (Evening Standard)
Diary decision delayed
The Covid-19 inquiry chair had declined to decide whether Sir Patrick Vallance's diary entries should be published in full after a bid by eight media organisations. She said it would be "premature" to decide before seeing how his notes are used in the inquiry. (Evening Standard)
Tony’s last cartoon
Private Eye cartoonist Tony Husband has died aged 73, his son has said. Husband told ITV News earlier this year that he had had a cartoon in every issue of Private Eye for the preceding 38 years. (Press Gazette)
Football fundraiser
Former colleagues of journalist Dan Kay, who died in May, have launched a fundraiser and football match in his memory. He worked for the Liverpool Echo between 2003 and 2021 and was "a universally popular member of the team". (GoFundMe)
Kay complaints
Ofcom received 1,537 complaints alleging Kay Burley on Sky News "misrepresented comments made by the Palestinian ambassador". She said in another interview that Husam Zomlot "basically said, the last couple of days, that ‘Israel had it coming’". (Independent)
BBC’s ‘atrocious’ terrorism call
Israel's president has told the Mail he feels the BBC's reporting on the war with Hamas is "atrocious": "The fact that it does not recognise Hamas as a terror organisation requires a complete legal battle and public battle. It's unbelievable." (Daily Mail)
Semafor signals expansion
Semafor is celebrating one year since launch. CEO Justin Smith and editor Ben Smith say the outlet plans to launch in a new region next year - and indicate they have had success operating as a hybrid consumer and B2B publisher. (Semafor)
London launch
The Evening Standard has relaunched its website, saying it now offers "a cleaner, brighter and more modern design" with higher-quality images and shorter load times.
Don’t forget Assange
Reporters Without Borders has launched a 'Collateral Damage' campaign raising awareness of the danger the prosecution of Julian Assange poses to media freedom around the world. (RSF)
Podcast 58: How the Daily Mail become a hit on Tiktok
Mail Online head of social video Phil Harvey, who joined the publisher in March, told Press Gazette how and why their Tiktok strategy has transformed this year and why it is worth the investment.
He also revealed which British politician and their dog has become an unlikely Tiktok star for the Daily Mail.
Previously on Press Gazette
Register of parliamentary passes shows BBC dominance of political reporting
How the Telegraph’s ‘digital by default’ approach won it website of the year
National press ABCs: Queen death uplift makes for bigger decline one year on
Steve Bell speaks out after being sacked by email following 40 years at Guardian