Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 08/05/2026American friends and colleagues who are interested in the media but might not want Press Gazette's daily newsletter: May I recommend my Future of Media US newsletter which comes out each Friday? I round up all the stories that will be most relevant to you: open.substack.com/pub/pressgaz... 010
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 05/11/2025Mishal Husain responds to Nigel Farage's 'listen, love' and shares a good take on how to do the best interviews - it's not as a 'contest' or letting it become a 'slanging match' pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/b...pressgazette.co.ukBloomberg's Mishal Husain: Interviews shouldn't be about 'winning or losing'Bloomberg Weekend's editor-at-large Mishal Husain was interviewed at the NCTJ inclusion in journalism conference on Monday. 371
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 22/08/2025I usually forget to share my stuff on Bluesky, but I should flag this one that I'm particularly proud of: what happened when we found out about a 'freelance journalist' called 'Margaux Blanchard' who had got published in Wired and Business Insider pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/d...pressgazette.co.ukWired and Business Insider remove 'AI-written' freelance articlesWired and Business Insider have removed freelance articles over concerns they were written by AI under a fake name. 171
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 27/05/2025Interesting to see Reach papers the Express and Daily Star use a blurred image of an injured Liverpool supporter but The Guardian and The i Paper use the same photo uncensored www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukNewspaper headlines: Liverpool 'glory' descends into 'horror'The aftermath of a car ploughing into crowds at the Liverpool FC victory parade dominates Tuesday's papers. 030
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 23/05/2025News: Management at the New Statesman and sister titles including Press Gazette have signed a union recognition agreement after years of negotiation. www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...nuj.org.ukNUJ celebrates recognition at the New Statesman and Progressive Media InvestmentsThe NUJ has secured recognition at the distinguished political magazine the New Statesman and the global publisher Progressive Media Investments (PMI). 061
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 21/05/2025Vittles in print: profitable, twice a year, the culmination of a long-held ambition - although print is "now countercultural" and can have "misplaced sense of prestige". Great interview with @jonathandnunn.bsky.social pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/m...pressgazette.co.uk'Print is new counter culture' says Vittles founder as newsletter launches in printInterview with Vittles magazine founder Jonathan Nunn who first launched the food brand on Substack in 2020 and has now gone into print. 020
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 28/04/2025We're hiring at Press Gazette! We're looking to hire either a junior reporter up for learning all about the world of media, or a more experienced person who can work part-time with me & Dominic Ponsford. Feel free to send me any Qs. You can get all the info here: pressgazette.co.uk/media-jobs/p...pressgazette.co.ukPress Gazette is recruiting a reporter/feature writerJob advert for someone to join Press Gazette team. 145
Reposted by Charlotte TobittJosh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 14/04/2025This is wild, fascinating and genuinely important. pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/d...pressgazette.co.ukVirtual reality: The widely-quoted media experts who are not what they seemPress Gazette investigation into the widely-quoted national media experts who either do not exist, or whose credentials have not been checked. 11320105
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 03/04/2025My favourite thing about this piece by Colin Freeman is the emphasis on how great local newspapers were/are as a place to start for young journalists. "Yet like many in my trade, I regard my days on local papers as the most useful in my career." www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...spectator.co.ukThe sad decline of the local paperKing Charles praised local news – but the industry, which once covered everything from councils to courts, is fading fast. Can it be revived? 142
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 04/03/2025Aside from the financial results themselves, really interested to see Jim Mullen highlight the customer experience on Reach sites. He says they are rolling out a new website platform which is tripling page loading speed pressgazette.co.uk/media_busine...pressgazette.co.ukCost cuts and growing digital revenue boost Reach profits for 2024Reach results 2024: Cost cuts and digital growth helped Reach grow profits for 2024 as overall revenue declines. 111
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 21/02/2025Three incredibly striking front pages today: 1. Daily Mail taking a massive stand on AI ahead of the Govt consultation closing. 2. The Sun: "paedo spotted spluttering on vape"! 3. New York Post calling out Trump and Putin. I have seen all three of these praised today: the power of print lives on! 142
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 14/02/2025It's a tough choice but here is my favourite of Tom's commandments: "And here is another thing to remember every time you sit down at the keyboard: a little sign that says "Nobody has to read this crap."" 020
Reposted by Charlotte TobittNeil Thurman @neilthurman.bsky.social · 13/02/2025@charlottetobitt.bsky.social covers our new paywalls study at @pressgazette.co.uk. Fully study: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... We dug into millions of visits to paywalled articles at 21 news websites to see what prevented & prompted visitors starting & finishing the subscription journey. 152
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 03/02/2025Fascinating interview with Will Hayward who left Wales Online to relaunch his newsletter on his own and said it has proved a financial "no-brainer". Publishers are going to have to reckon with the fact a lot of their top talent could earn more on their own pressgazette.co.uk/newsletters/...pressgazette.co.ukWill Hayward says quitting Wales Online to launch Substack was financial 'no-brainer'Former Reach Welsh affairs editor Will Hayward has said going solo via Substack has proved to be a financial “no-brainer”. 020
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 30/01/2025For a few years now the Mail has been slowly combining its print and digital operations, in part getting rid of duplicated work between Mail Online and the papers. This is believed to be the final stage. Double-digit job cuts (so 99 or fewer) expected. pressgazette.co.uk/news/mail-do...pressgazette.co.ukMajor job cuts at Mail titles in final stage of digital-first transitionThe Mail plans to make up to 100 job cuts as it brings its print and online teams "fully together to create a dynamic digital-first newsroom" 000
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 29/01/2025New Adrian Chiles classic just dropped: "I have lost all faith in zips" www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comI have lost all faith in zips | Adrian ChilesThe only thing worse than spending a fortune on a coat you don’t really need is spending a fortune on a coat you don’t really need, then damaging it, then discovering that no one wants to fix it, says... 3202
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Enjoyed outgoing Daily Star editor Jon Clark's entire quote about his departure: “It’s been fun.” Big shake-up as new Daily Star editor-in-chief will be focused on online for the first time, with the print editor reporting to him. pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/n...pressgazette.co.ukDaily Star editor Jon Clark to leave amid new digital-first strategyDaily Star editor-in-chief Jon Clark is stepping down as a "more digitally-focused structure" comes into place. 032
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 24/01/2025An absolutely remarkable judgment. Court of Appeal says judge was "unfair" to the media including because he said "with such vehemence… that the journalists had been guilty of inaccurate, unfair and irresponsible reporting" and was sarcastic about a Dispatches prog pressgazette.co.uk/news/journal...pressgazette.co.ukSara Sharif murder case judges to be named after 'unfair' treatment of journalistsJournalists have won their appeal to be able to name three judges who dealt with schoolgirl Sara Sharif's case in the family court. 010
Reposted by Charlotte TobittPress Gazette @pressgazette.co.uk · 22/01/2025News UK admits ‘unlawful activities’ at Sun in settlement apology to Prince Harry pressgazette.co.uk/news/prince-...pressgazette.co.ukNews UK admits 'unlawful activities' at Sun in settlement apology to Prince HarrySun publisher News Group Newspapers has admitted "unlawful activities" took place at the newspaper in a legal settlement with Prince Harry. 14514
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 15/01/2025Fascinating to discover the tech world is currently obsessed with using the Chatham House Rule “There’s no clear reason why we’re using it,” he said. “I haven’t noticed people saying spicier stuff.” sfstandard.com/2025/01/11/c...sfstandard.comWhy is every Bay Area event imposing Chatham House Rules?An archaic English gag rule is enforcing silence everywhere in the Bay Area, from health conferences to AI salons to dinner parties. 010
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 20/12/2024In which I give some analysis of the Tortoise-Observer deal, share our biggest British Journalism Awards winners, shout out some women in journalism.. oh and also reveal my sister-in-law is obsessed with Gavin & Stacey and that I have a soft spot for a Netflix rom com (One Day and Nobody Wants This) 020
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 18/12/2024Big day for media takeover news in the UK: The Observer and Tortoise make their deal official, while the 3rd-biggest regional publisher National World agrees a takeover by marketing business and Irish local publisher Media Concierge. Both are expected to take effect in Q1 (spring for The Observer) 122
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 12/12/2024Billy Bragg sang at the Guardian/Observer picket line today! He cracked out protest song Which Side Are You On? @gonuj.org @nujofficial.bsky.social Pic credit: Mark Thomas 1219
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 12/12/2024British erasure! 😅 if you type 'The Times' into Bluesky search, The New York Times comes up above The Times & Sunday Times (Yes, I know it will be because the NYT has so many more followers) 051
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 11/12/2024UK journalists: I'm on the lookout for a news publisher or two who's using Reddit really successfully or in an interesting or developing way. Any ideas who I should look at, let me know! Thanks 021
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 06/12/2024Some remarkable quotes from Observer staff's furious meeting with management. One journalist asked The Scott Trust's chair if he knew his name (he didn't). "To care about the Guardian and Observer you have to know us, you have to read us, you have to care..." pressgazette.co.uk/news/scott-t...pressgazette.co.ukScott Trust and Guardian management face staff fury over Observer saleGuardian and Scott Trust leaders faced furious staff as they faced questions about the plan agreed to sell The Observer to Tortoise. 143
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 06/12/2024The deal to sell The Observer to Tortoise Media was approved while staff were on the second evening of their 48-hour strike, through which they were asking for a pause to the sale to look at other bidders. 130
Reposted by Charlotte TobittPress Gazette @pressgazette.co.uk · 06/12/2024In other sale news this morning, National World's board is 'minded to' accept a major shareholder's takeover offer (if it is now made formally). National World is the UK's third-largest regional news publisher. pressgazette.co.uk/the-wire/med...pressgazette.co.ukNational World board 'minded to' accept takeover bidNational World has said its board would be "minded to" accept a takeover bid by Media Concierge if the offer is formally made. 043
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 21/11/2024Press Gazette editor-in-chief @dominicponsford.bsky.social has got going on Bluesky! 100% worth a follow for media stuff. And he’s doing the best stuff on the Observer - Tortoise stuff. 2165
Reposted by Charlotte TobittBron Maher @bronmaher.bsky.social · 13/11/2024incidentally, social traffic breakdown for this story: - 21% X - 39% "dark social" (presumably Bluesky) - 40% LinkedIn 193
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 13/11/2024I've seen people saying The Guardian made the wrong decision as it's better to be in the room. But Twitter never did bring in much traffic compared to Facebook etc, and as a news org you have to consider where you put your resources as well as the moral points. pressgazette.co.uk/news/the-gua...pressgazette.co.ukThe Guardian departs 'toxic media platform' Twitter/XThe Guardian is to end posting on X/Twitter from its official accounts, editor-in-chief Katharine Viner told staff. 1142
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 15/10/2024TIL Barry Diller has cloned his dead dog five times !!!?? www.ft.com/content/ebf2...ft.comBarry Diller: ‘I want Donald Trump pushed into the dustheap of history’IAC chair warns of power shift to Big Tech in film and TV 020
Reposted by Charlotte TobittMarie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 14/10/2024posting this again as it sadly feels relevant today youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/quite-a-bl... 1013426
Reposted by Charlotte TobittPress Gazette @pressgazette.co.uk · 14/10/2024Evening Standard losses grew to £21m in 2023 - the biggest losses it's sustained in its free era. Revenue was also at a low. It explains the financial backdrop to the end of the daily Evening Standard newspaper last month pressgazette.co.uk/media_busine... 033
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 26/09/2024Here is fake Keir in all his paper glory and yes the Brian Sewell AI review is real. It states that the Standard has made a donation to a charity of his estate’s choice and gives you some of his real writing to compare 022
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 13/09/2024Google AI Overviews proving immensely helpful...Just got this response (I was looking for an actual website answer, but it's hard to avoid these when they appear): "The main difference between the free and paid versions of Picflow is that the paid version costs money, while the free version is free" 130
Reposted by Charlotte TobittWill Dunn @willdunn.bsky.social · 09/09/2024Google's snippet answer for “PPE Medpro owner” is a good example of why you should ignore the no-click AI answer and read the piece it's imitating, in this case @danneidle.bsky.social's piece on the company. (Barrowman has since admitted being the ultimate beneficial owner.) 034
Reposted by Charlotte TobittPress Gazette @pressgazette.co.uk · 09/09/2024Awful news to share today as The Telegraph's 'Ukraine: The Latest' podcast presenter, David Knowles, has died. He was 32: pressgazette.co.uk/news/telegra...pressgazette.co.ukTelegraph Ukraine podcast presenter David Knowles dies aged 32The Telegraph has announced the death of David Knowles, who led its long-running Ukraine: The Latest podcast. 053
Reposted by Charlotte TobittPress Gazette @pressgazette.co.uk · 04/09/2024BBC to cut up to 115 jobs in Nations and Regions editorial and production: - about 40 to 45 jobs at BBC Local in England - 25 to 30 in Wales - 25 to 30 in Scotland - 10 to 12 in Northern Ireland pressgazette.co.uk/news/bbc-to-...pressgazette.co.ukBBC to cut 115 jobs in Nations and Regions editorial and productionThe BBC is planning to cut about 115 editorial and production jobs in the Nations and Regions, according to the National Union of Journalists. 179
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 30/08/2024Came to learn a bit about Lebedev and the Standard (the below is pretty much all he said about that) - stayed for the amazing photos of his Hampton Court Park house 110
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 29/08/2024This is a really lovely piece about Ryan Evans, the Reuters safety adviser killed in Ukraine at the weekend. '“Are you ok?“ was a question Evans repeatedly asked of journalists he worked with.' www.reuters.com/investigatio...reuters.com 000
Reposted by Charlotte TobittPress Gazette @pressgazette.co.uk · 29/08/2024It's a data bonanza on Press Gazette today: Most encouraging is the data from the UK regional news websites. The latest online audience estimates for the top 78 local newsbrands in the UK reveal booming growth in July for most titles. pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...pressgazette.co.ukUK local news websites see audience bouncebackBiggest local news websites UK: Exclusive Press Gazette ranking of the top 78 websites as audited by Ipsos iris. 122
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 28/08/2024I hope this spreads as widely as some of the nonsense about all vegan food being super processed and unhealthy... www.theguardian.com/business/art...theguardian.comPlant-based meat alternatives are eco-friendlier and mostly healthier, study findsFood Foundation’s study notes that some processed ‘alternative protein’ products have high levels of salt 010
Reposted by Charlotte TobittBron Maher @bronmaher.bsky.social · 22/08/2024bluesky had 36,000 uk sign-ups in the two weeks after the riots started, which cross referenced with our account growth produces the very funny conclusion that ~3% of the newcomers followed press gazette. welcome! 041
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 22/08/2024'important to treat Bluesky like a serious platform instead of a fallback..If you put effort into creating a solid presence on Bluesky you'll be rewarded with plenty of engagement despite the platform's vastly smaller size': Wise words for growing here from the FT pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/pl...pressgazette.co.ukTwitter alternative? News publishers see potential in BlueskyTwitter alternative Bluesky may still be a minnow among the social media giants, but news publishers appear to see potential in the platform. 050
Reposted by Charlotte TobittJames Cracknell @jollyjourno.bsky.social · 21/08/2024This should be a wake up call for the industry. The Lincolnite was one of the shining lights of local indy journalism in the UK and has now gone under. There are many others, including us at Social Spider, that need help to survive. pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/r...pressgazette.co.ukIndependent local publisher The Lincolnite closes with nine jobs lostThe Lincolnite and its spin-off app My Local have closed just a year after being shortlisted in the Future of Media Awards. 184
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 21/08/2024Never seen @pressgazette.co.uk referenced in fiction before! Very excited to find this halfway through Andrew O’Hagan’s (excellent so far) Caledonian Road 032
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 21/08/2024Some new info about what the Evening Standard will look like when it goes weekly - it will come out on Thursdays as The London Standard from 26 September pressgazette.co.uk/news/the-lon...pressgazette.co.ukWeekly Evening Standard to be distributed on Thursdays as 'The London Standard'The Evening Standard has told staff it is rebranding as "The London Standard" for its new, Thursdays-only print form. 235
Charlotte Tobitt @charlottetobitt.bsky.social · 19/08/2024This is fun! More collectibles journalism, I say www.adweek.com/media/athlet...adweek.comThe Athletic Launches Sports Card and Memorabilia VerticalThe coverage, in partnership with Ebay, aims to fill a white space in the underserved collectibles market. 020
Reposted by Charlotte TobittBron Maher @bronmaher.bsky.social · 16/08/2024we're now approaching 200% growth since a month ago. those starter packs have very much helped solve bluesky's discoverability issues 142