NEW: Wikipedia BANS AI-generated content. Wikipedia’s new policy: “The use of LLMs to generate or rewrite article content is prohibited, save for the exceptions given below.” Scoop from the great @404media.co www.404media.co/wikipedia-ba...

According to LinkedIn, Matt Brittin tried to save the newspaper industry in 2006, but gave up in 2007. Should I be worried?

NEW: The creator of AI 'actor' Tilly Norwood says she got death threats amid the backlash over the project. She says she did it partly to provoke the industry - & says some actors may welcome being released from the horrors of fame by AI avatars. Story: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

@b-ertie.bsky.social Hi Bertie, can you follow me so I can DM?

NEW: Matt Brittin is a big believer in the power of sleep - one of his favourite books is Why We Sleep, by the neuroscientist, Matthew Walker. His new job leading the BBC guarantees he'll be getting less of the stuff. My profile of the new BBC DG: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

NEW: Former Google executive Matt Brittin selected to be next BBC director general. As the Guardian revealed last week. Suffice to say, a huge job ahead: www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

Guardian overtakes Times to be most-read newspaper brand among MPs, according to survey of MPs. But social media becomes their primary news source. Politico's London Playbook is their newsletter of choice. Survey by MessageSpace.

BIG day in case against Daily Mail’s publisher. The court hears from private investigator who apparently made admissions of tapping, bugging & hacking - but now says the statement was a “pack of lies” forgery. Evidence given from a secret overseas location: www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

All news is local, cricket edition

Head of product at X promises an "Iron Slopdome", taking away the financial incentive to post AI slop. Fascinating development. Will it work?

Another BBC scoop! BBC World Service to get extra £11m a year in deal ending funding uncertainty... Insiders say it's enough to keep the show on the road, but still a big battle over the longterm plan for the service... www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

NEW: Former Google executive Matt Brittin expected to be named the BBC’s next director general within days. The decision will be discussed at a regular BBC board meeting on Thursday. No broadcasting experience - but a strategic brain. Story: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

NEW: Nandy vows to give the BBC a permanent charter as she tries to protect it from the culture war age. There will be tough news for the BBC ahead, but this is a win for the broadcaster and outgoing DG, Tim Davie. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

Local media plan out. It’s more honest about collapse in audiences than I’d expected. Cool to see my little project as an example of what can work. But I just wonder if government funding to help boost local news is really for small guys or a bung to corporate owners. www.gov.uk/government/p...

NEW: The Nicola Bulley case marked a low point of police/media relations in England & Wales, with serious fallout. Ever since the Leveson inquiry, meaningful contact between reporters/police has diminished. Both sides are now attempting a reset. Will it work? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Press pics of an older man in a doorway give a misleading account of modern homelessness. So a good project by Centre for Homelessness Impact, providing pics of real people suffering from the housing crisis. Families, young people, temporary accommodation issues a major part:

NEW: The Nicola Bulley case marked a low point of police/media relations in England & Wales, with serious fallout. Ever since the Leveson inquiry, meaningful contact between reporters/police has diminished. Both sides are now attempting a reset. Will it work? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

NEW: In its call for Trump's $10bn lawsuit against it to be thrown out, BBC warns of "chilling effect" on reporting from such suits. Also cites Trump's failed attempt to sue CNN. BBC says the show Trump is suing over wasn't shown in US & did not defame him: www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

Huge change in Washington DC's media scene, as a load of Washington Post folk - including big names - going to what is currently called NOTUS. That's News of the United States - though given the circs, it could be, "who wants to work under Jeff Bezos?" "Notus"

NEW: BBC files a case in the US to dismiss Trump's $10bn lawsuit against it over the Panorama doc - argues he was not damaged and it was not broadcast in the US or Florida, where the case has been filed. Story coming.

The Today programme remains a huge show - but insiders say recent departures have created an "existential moment". For top talent, it is now a resistible offer... & does it need more personality or its regular, repeatable format? & who will replace Amol Rajan? www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

NEW: Several sources saying Google’s former Europe boss is closing in on becoming the BBC’s next director general. Matt Brittin said to be quite far in the process. Let’s see. This on the day Tim Davie said he worried about the brutality of public life: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

NEW: Axel Springer boss Mathias Döpfner visited the Telegraph today for his first meeting since Friday's bombshell announcement that the company had purchased the Tel titles. Meetings with senior staff and editors. Telegraph sale saga finally feels over...

Three years, failed bids, internal rebellions, law changes - the blighted Telegraph sale has had it all. But Axel Springer looks to have ended the saga - & Lord Rothermere's hopes of a massive UK empire. Analysis of a European giant buying the Tel: www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

CONFIRMED: This deal will see the Telegraph owned by the German media giant that has come up with a blockbuster £575 million deal in cash. Far fewer regulatory barriers with this deal. But Lord Rothermere's dream of owning the Telegraph has been thwarted again...

BREAKING: Daily Mail's bid for the Telegraph torpedoed by German media giant Axel Springer... Broken by FT - could this be the final twist in the Telegraph sale saga? Report soon...

From an outdated licence fee to subscriptions and ‘Britflix’: my key takeaways from BBC response to charter review... The BBC can see the licence fee model clashes with the modern media - but rather than tear it up, it wants to try to fix it. Can it? www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

NEW: BBC has said it is facing “permanent & irreversible” trends - reveals a stark divergence between people consuming its content & those paying the licence fee. 94% continue to use BBC each month, but fewer than 80% of households pay licence fee… www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

NEW: BBC to call for permanent charter and end of political appointments to board Corporation proposes sweeping changes intended to protect its independence and shore up its future www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

One of the greats.

‘NEW: Apartheid newsroom’: minority ethnic journalists still locked out of top TV jobs, report finds Some attacked as "diversity hires" - and concerns that diversity schemes have not been properly embedded in TV newsrooms. Story: www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

NEW: Big changes happening inside the BBC - depts being smashed together to create "BBC Media Tech" - all part of restructure/savings plans I revealed last year. Also, Leigh Tavaziva, chief operating officer, is leaving - with a restructure of senior staff. Change coming ahead of charter renewal.

NEW: Daily Mail royal editor denies using private investigator to ‘blag’ Harry information. The court shown email of PI saying: “I really don’t want to go into why I’m asking for more in an email. So let’s rather chat" ANL/reporter deny wrongdoing: www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

NEW: This week’s events help explain why the list of figures not going for the BBC’s top job is so impressive. Charlotte Moore, another favourite, also didn’t apply. Matt Brittin now in pole position. But could he handle Baftagate? The BBC succession latest: www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...

CBS News and CNN staffers fear ‘disaster’ as Paramount wins Warner Bros battle Decision by Netflix to walk away from takeover leaves workers anxious about possible merger of news networks www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...

Huge media news as Paramount takes a huge step towards buying WBD - and with it, CNN. Big question over how CNN and Bari Weiss’s CBS would work together. Could CNN boss Mark Thompson be having second thoughts about the BBC gig?

Netflix to release four-part series about Rupert Murdoch’s family drama ‘Dynasty: The Murdochs’ will debut on the streamer on 13 March www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...

Washington Post Losses Topped $100 Million in 2025, according to the WSJ. Exec editor Matt Murray: “We’re not a paper of record; there’s no such thing anymore in today’s world.” www.wsj.com/business/med...

Finally, it's out! We proved how rhetoric has become more hostile towards immigration in the UK, with @porcelinad.bsky.social @michaelsavage.bsky.social Garry Blight and the amazing Guardian data science team www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...

NEW: BBC is to undertake a fast-track investigation into how a racial slur broadcast in its coverage of the Bafta film awards was not edited out. Tim Davie has ordered the review - growing anger within the BBC over the failure and why it remained on iPlayer for 15 hours. Story soon

NEW: "There are no favourites" - an equal share of big games for the three Match of the Day presenters at the World Cup - but no decision yet on who gets the final... Three top presenters, but personally I find Kelly Cates such a wonderfully natural broadcaster: www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...

From @michaelsavage.bsky.social following Sunday Times story today.

An ex-Mail journalist faced allegations of being the handler of a man who apparently admitted tapping & bugging. But the journalist says the man’s statement is an elaborate invention - & the man now says his “admission” was forged. The case of “the Majorca man” www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...

Not saying YouTube is dominating culture, but it’s only been around 20 years and it’s already in a museum… I went to have a look. Features the first YouTube video I ever saw! (It’s still awesome)

Side point: it is literally Andrew Windsor’s birthday!

BREAKING: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, BBC News reported reut.rs/4s0NSPL

NEW: YouTube's living room takeover latest... The television has replaced laptops, tablets and smartphones as the most common device for UK viewers to watch YouTube at home. Barb data. Amazing to think YouTube founded just 21 years ago... www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Peter Mandelson’s Wikipedia page was edited repeatedly by an anonymous user who was later banned for making paid edits The edits to Mandelson’s page downplayed his support of the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, says the TBIJ. Their story here: www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026...

NEW: Big cuts coming at the BBC as execs say licence fee payments falling faster than predicted. 10% cuts - jobs and output to go… Tim Davie making big calls on the way out. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...

NEW: Lisa Nandy referring the Mail's proposed takeover of the Telegraph to competition and media watchdogs..! The Telegraph sale saga is cursed to continue for some months yet. Story soon.