iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 01/10/2026

Wake up, September is over ⏰️ For us, September was a month full of adventures with our team dividing to tackle four countries in two weeks. We met leaders in civil society, news product, digital security, journalism, community regeneration, and, of course, in the Social Web space.

Saskia, Mariana, and Michael stand in front of a sign saying Global Gathering outside of the Global Gathering venue.

A banner reading 'Independent News Sustainability Summit. San Diego, CA. Sept, 9-11, 2026. Breakout session this way. Lion Publishers.

A spaceship esque hallway at c-base Berlin with rounded metal walls and rainbow neon lights.

Ben points to a table decorated with Newsmast Foundation branding.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 21/09/2026

Today is the International Day of Peace 🕊️ Peace begins and ends with behaviour. We believe in an online world where we can treat one another with respect and dignity, rather than drive behaviour rooted in conflict. Be kind to your neighbours, both in person and online. #Peace

An image of a dove against a bright orange background.

The graphic reads: International day of Peace. Newsmast Foundation.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 20/09/2026

If you're observing Yom Kippur today, we hope you have a meaningful day and an easy fast. #YomKippur

A black and white image of a figure blowing a horn over the sea, with Hebrew characters visible on their hood, fills the background.

Over the image, text reads: Have a meaningful Yom Kippur. Newsmast Foundation.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 16/09/2026

We're excited to welcome @aschweig.bsky.social to the team in a fractional role as our Head of US Partnerships 🎉 We're looking forward to seeing what he can do to bring news publishers across the pond to online spaces dedicated to them and their audience 🗞️

A black and white image of a man in glasses. Over the image, text reads: Adam Schweigert. Head of US Partnerships. Newsmast Foundation.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 15/09/2026

The idea for our Foundation sparked in an unlikely place, on the very Big Tech platforms we now oppose. But, once upon a time, they did something amazing. They let people learn from other people.

A colour image of a ripped Ukraine flag flying against a blue sky over a pile of rubble. Over the image, text reads:

Knowledge for all for good.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a network of experts, citizens, and journalists came together. On social media they informed the world.

But social media has changed in those four long years. The platforms they used to inform are now filled with misinformation and hate.

Social media isn’t the problem. It’s the platforms that care more about profit than knowledge.

At the Newsmast Foundation, we’re building to protect networks of experts, citizens, and journalists. Knowledgeable people sharing their knowledge for all.

Join us.

Newsmast Foundation.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 11/09/2026

Saskia and Ben are making the trip to Germany for Berlin FediDay! Alongside giving a talk titled "Building Community on the Open Social Web" and joining in with some panels, Ben and Saskia will be looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. #BerlinFediDay

In the background, a black and white image of the Brandenburg Gate. Over it, text and headshots of a woman and a man.

It reads: Berlin FediDay. 11-13 September | Berlin, Germany. Saskia Welch, Head of Community. Ben Parker, Editor.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 08/09/2026

Michael and Mariana are heading to San Diego for the LION Independent News Sustainability Summit! Bringing together online news leaders from around the world, we can't wait to showcase our open source news + community app technology ⚡️ If you're there, or in the area, reach out and let us know.

A black and white image of palm trees, over which text and headshots can be seen.

The text reads: Lion News Summit. 9-11 September | San Diego, US. Michael Foster, Direct & Co-founder. Mariana Borges, Project Co-ordinator.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 03/09/2026

We're in Portugal for the Global Gathering! Bringing together thinkers and doers from around the world working on technology-related civil society, human rights, and journalism issues, we're honoured to have been invited to attend. If you're there, we'd love to meet up ☀️ #GlobalGathering

In the background, a black and white drone image of Estoril.

Over the image, text reads: Global Gathering. 4-6 September | Estoril, Portugal. Michael Foster, Director & Co-founder, Saskia Welch, Head of Community. Mariana Borges, Project Co-ordinator.

There is an image of each team member featured.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 28/08/2026

Things are about to get busy 👀 With a lot of travel on the horizon, we might not be as quick to respond as usual. Whilst we're very excited about that's coming, we hope you can be patient with us if it takes a little longer to get back to you!

In the background, a black and white image of the London Underground. Over it, an orange box with a text statement reading:

We're sorry.

Over the next couple of weeks, we might be harder to reach here, but it’s not a bad thing!

Our team are in demand and, after a quiet summer working hard behind the scenes, things are about to get crazy again.

Over the next few weeks, our team will divide and conquer to cover:

Rebuild 2
Global Gathering
LION News Summit
21st Century Social Clubs Annual Conference
Berlin FediDay

So, you might have to forgive us if we’re not able to respond to comments, questions, or demo requests as quickly as usual.

It will be busy, but we’re so excited to be representing the Social Web and the Newsmast Foundation in spaces dedicated to community building, news sharing, and changing the world.

We can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Newsmast Foundation.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 24/08/2026

Now, as we build alternatives that take us back to the root benefits of social media - connection and learning - it's our chance to build in a way that reflects human behaviour online. So, let's grow something to be proud of.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 24/08/2026

Social media doesn't have to be bad. It can be beautiful. But in our digital world, we've learnt a lot about behaviour online. What had once seemed simple, putting people in a digital town square, we now realise is not. People act differently online.

An image of a yellow flower, caught in a ray of sunlight, against the dark background of the forest floor.

Over the image, text reads, "Let's grow something to be proud of. Newsmast Foundation."

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 20/08/2026

News organisations deserve better than platforms which exploit them. We're helping news organisations, both big and small, take back control of their presence on the internet. How do you think news organisations should regain their digital agency? #LocalNews

A written statement on a black background, reading:

Platforms control the relationship between journalists, publishers and their audiences.

Political algorithms decide reach. Policies decide who gets paid. Communities vanish when platforms pivot.

The promise of independence built the internet, but we gave away the keys.

We’re helping organisations take them back.

Newsmast Foundation.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 11/08/2026

Michael and Saskia have been invited to Rebuild 2! We'll be there championing non-profit efforts, decentralised systems, and the brilliant projects on the Social Web - not just the Newsmast Foundation. #Rebuild #SocialWeb #Community

In the background, a black and white image of Helsinki. In the center, a colour image of a blonde woman and man wearing glasses in the Colosseum.

Around the image, text reads: Rebuild 2. Helsinki, FInland. Aug 30 - Sep 01. Saskia Welch & Michael Foster. Newsmast Foundation.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 10/08/2026

This is our only Bluesky brand account. You can also follow our Mastodon and Threads accounts from Bluesky (thanks to the power of the Social Web and @anew.social). You may also come across some of our topical curated feeds which are bridged from Mastodon too!

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 06/08/2026

Is the bubble bursting? 🫧 Big Tech platforms such as LinkedIn, Snapchat, Substack and YouTube now have 'AI Slop' controls. As more and more people agree that AI content is low quality, repetitive, and unsatisfactory, platforms which once celebrated AI content are paying attention.

A screenshot showing LinkedIn's new 'Seems like AI Slop' reporting feature, with a large cursor pointing towards it.

Text over the image reads: 'AI Slop?'

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 05/08/2026

We'll be joining our dev partners in Taipei City for COSCUP 💡 The tech experts will be giving a talk on how we build our white-label Mastodon apps so, if you're heading to COSCUP or you're in the area, make sure you don't miss it. More details 👉️ pretalx.coscup.org/coscup-2026/... #COSCUP

A graphic showing Michael Foster, Director & Co-Founder, Aung Kyaw Phyo, Chief Technologist, and Yu Nandar Aung, Project Manager, will be traveling to COSCUP, Aug 8-9, Taipei City.

A graphic showing Ye Myat Thu, Mobile Team Lead, Jaz-Michael King, Advisor, and Min Khant Kyaw, Backend Team Lead, will be traveling to COSCUP, Aug 8-9, Taipei City.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 30/07/2026

Today is the International Day of Friendship 🫂 We wouldn't be able to do what we do without our friends who work by our side to advocate for, and create, a better social media landscape. We're so lucky to work in such a thoughtful passionate space in amongst the wider world of social technology 🧡

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 29/07/2026

Remember when the internet was fun? What would you give to go back? Human-first digital infrastructure must be built and protected. That's why we're building dedicated spaces on the Social Web for communities of real people.

A graphic with a bright orange background. In white, writing reads: The internet used to look like this. Newsmast Foundation.

An arrow points to the right.

A graphic showing a number of orange figures with hearts and one white figure with a gear in place of a heart.

An orange graphic with white writing reading: Now, it looks like this.

A graphic showing a number of white figures with a gear in place of a heart and a single orange figure with a heart.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 23/07/2026

We're building digital spaces for journalists, activists, scientists and local groups around the world 🧱 Social media is no longer about reaching as far as you can, it's about developing something deeper. More meaningful. Community. The Social Web is the perfect fit. #SocialMedia

A screenshot of a phone screen against a vivid red background. The phone shows the Find Out Social app with posts from members.

Besides the image, writing reads: Your digital community. Newsmast Foundation.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 09/07/2026

"So this is not social media, it’s social networking. Media is about broadcast; networking is first of all bottom-up, an actual social reality. Machinery for solidarity. Basically, we’re stronger together." Check out the Democratic Tech Fund's case study on us, the Newsmast Foundation! 👇

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 07/07/2026

If you're heading to DWeb Camp this week, it shouldn't be hard to find @michael.eurosky.social just follow the neon glow 🙌 Or put on your brightest clothes and head over to his talk on Thursday at 12pm CET - "Black Holes & Day-Glo Symphonies: Onboarding Communities to the Social Web" 🕺

A graphic showing a man wearing glasses, Michael Foster, in a cut out neon style frame on a background of neon stars.

Around the image, words read: D Web Camp. BLN. Newsmast Foundation. Michael Foster. 2026-08-09 12:00-12:30 CET. Black Holes & Day-Glo Symphonies: Onboarding Communities to the Social Web.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 01/07/2026

Do you moderate or act as an admin on a Social Web service? IFTAS are running their annual moderation needs assessment, to see how we can do moderation better across the entire Social Web. If you fit the bill, fill out the form here 👉️ tally.so/r/81MW6k #SocialWeb #Moderation

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 01/07/2026

We're still flaunting the pride logo because pride doesn't end with June 👀

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 30/06/2026

We believe that social media should be social again. Do you agree? #DigtialSpaces

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 25/06/2026

Can AI replace community? We've witnessed AI experts trying to sell that their solutions are the answer to disconnection in modern society. But majority disagree. Instead, human-first rebellion has already begun. #AI #Community

An image of a human hand reaching out to a robotic hand, mimicking the Creation of Adam painting.

Over the image, text reads: Can AI replace community? Newsmast Foundation

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 18/06/2026

Businesses, governments, and citizens rely on American Big Tech social media. Can you afford to be held hostage by the whims of a US government in the information age? #EUSovereignty

An image of a mobile phone displaying a 'Social Media' folder. In it, app icons for Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X can be seen. In the background, a U.S. flag can be seen.

Over the image, text reads: Newsmast Foundation. Escape American platforms.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 15/06/2026

It's Indie News Week here in the UK! Running from the 15-21 of June, Indie News Week celebrates independent news publishers and the work they do to expose the truth. If you want to learn more and get involved 👇 www.publicinterestnews.org.uk/blog/no-news...

publicinterestnews.org.uk

No News is Bad News - this week, we're fighting back!

The fight for local journalism and the events uniting communities and newsrooms this week: Campaign and Comms Manager Beckie Shuker brings you the latest on Indie News Week 2026

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 11/06/2026

Last week was crazy! We travelled to Amsterdam for the @publicspaces.net conference. There, we met with an amazing group of people and, if you didn't hear, we won the Grand Prize at the inaugural Open Social Awards 🏆️ ✨️

A layout of four images. A group photo of awarded winners stood on stage. A close up of the 'trophy', a glass cube with a dandelion frozen within, in a winners hands. A black man, Rudy Fraser, delivering a keynote speech. Two white women holding up paper reading 'The European Social Stack'.

A layout of five images. A woman in a yellow t-shirt, Elena Rossini, and a man with glasses, Tommi, smiling into the camera. A man in a black suit sitting on a children's play park toy and pulling a funny face. A panel of four people, three men and a woman, presenting a paper (The European Social Stack). Two men concentrate hard as they play a video game with coloured steering wheels. A man and a woman focus on an intense game of Connect4.

A layout of five images. A panel of four people presenting to a room. A man and a woman playing a video game with coloured steering wheels. A pile of papers with the words 'The European Social Stack' bold across the front. Four members of the Newsmast Foundation team standing on stage. A collection of stickers, with a prominent focus on one reading 'Fuck Google'.

A layout of four images. A man in a suit and a man in a t-shirt surrounded by a crowd, playing air-guitar on their knees. A presentation from a woman with pink hair, Erin Kissane. Two people speaking in a crowded room. A group of people shaking hands on stage.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 10/06/2026

We feel you. Hopefully one day soon 🤞

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 10/06/2026

We'd love to provide this in future. We hope that larger organisations may be able to add a donation onto their subscription to fund grassroot efforts. Another route forward at the moment is to apply for funding to work with us! If you're interested, let's chat and try and work something out.

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Reposted by Newsmast Foundation

New_ Public @newpublic.org · 10/06/2026

This is Saskia Welch, Head of Community for @newsmastfoundation.org, Grand Prize Winner of the #OpenSocialAwards! 🏆 Newsmast proves the open social web is for everyone. They make it easy for mission-driven groups throughout the world to build and maintain bespoke online spaces on their own terms.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 09/06/2026

@michael.eurosky.social and @handle.invalid have been behind the scenes bringing this together - they're the best points of contact!

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 08/06/2026

We couldn't be prouder to have been awarded the Grand Prize at the Open Social Awards! 🍾 💢 These things don't happen overnight or without help, so here's a little thank you to everyone who has helped us get here 🧡

A statement reading:

We’re Grand Prize Winners!

We’re incredibly grateful to the jury at the inaugural Open Social Awards for their belief in what we do, and to New_ Public, PublicSpaces and Waag Futurelab for making this happen. Winning this Award is a huge boost to our work with journalists, activists, scientists and local communities around the world, giving them the tools to publish, connect and organise.

We want to take this moment to thank and acknowledge everyone who believed in the Newsmast Foundation vision and worked hard to bring it to life.

Firstly, thank you to our early adopters. Their real-world feedback and challenges have helped us develop technical tools which will make a difference to them and to others ready to follow their lead.

Thank you to those who have supported our Foundation since the beginning, those who have followed our journey, passed on our name, or liked a post. Every interaction has helped us grow.

Finally, thanks to Michael, Saskia, Mariana, and Ben who are making the Newsmast Foundation a vibrant force for change. To Jaz for his guidance in the Social Web. To our development partners led by Aung and Yu who find solutions to every challenge we present. To Freddie and everyone who helped the Foundation grow - you’ve made this possible.

We can’t wait to turn this prize into an opportunity. 10,000 Euros put into growing the Social Web through communities, connections and social networks.

We’re just getting started.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 08/06/2026

It's what Bluesky (and more) is built on!

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Reposted by Newsmast Foundation

Ben Werdmuller @werd.io · 06/06/2026

Well, that was the first time I finished an open source / liberatory tech event by dancing to Dancing Queen. Into it - thank you to @newsmastfoundation.org for a great party.

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Reposted by Newsmast Foundation

New_ Public @newpublic.org · 05/06/2026

🏆 Congratulations to @newsmastfoundation.org, @sill.social, and @blackskyweb.xyz, the winners of the first ever Open Social Awards! 👏👏👏 New_ Public, @publicspaces.net, and @waag.org are proud to award them in recognition of their excellence and innovation on the open social web. newpublic.org/OSA

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New_ Public @newpublic.org · 05/06/2026

Newsmast is doing incredible work! Learn more here: newsmastfoundation.org We'll have more about them and all of the Open Social Awards winners next week.

newsmastfoundation.org

Newsmast Foundation - Social Community App

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Reposted by Newsmast Foundation

Angelica Quicksey @angelquicksey.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Massive congrats to the winners of the inaugural Open Social Awards! Grand prize winner, @newsmastfoundation.org, and Excellence Award Winners @blackskyweb.xyz and @sill.social.

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Newsmast Foundation @newsmastfoundation.org · 05/06/2026

It's from "News Mastodon" as our charity mission is knowledge sharing and we build on Mastodon!

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New_ Public @newpublic.org · 05/06/2026

Tune in to the Open Social Awards, live from @publicspaces.net in Amsterdam! Which team of prosocial builders will take home the big prize? The ceremony starts at 1pm ET / 10am PT #OpenSocialAwards conference.publicspaces.net/live/1

conference.publicspaces.net

Livestream Grote Zaal - PublicSpaces Conferentie

2e verdieping

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