Deep Dives
Creators Insight: original analysis on the platforms, players, and economics shaping content work from Nigeria and around the world.
Want to build audience and revenue through live events? These five news nonprofits have some ideas to get you started
PITTSBURGH — One indicator of the energy and interest around live events in newsrooms these days: At INN Days — the Institute for Nonprofit News’ annual conference, held last month in Pittsburgh — a series of lightning talks on “Events that Build Audience and Revenue&
16 Jul 2026
This app turns the web into a scrollable feed (just don’t call it RSS)
As an elder millennial who still mourns the death of Google Reader (13 years ago this month, sigh) and uses the Feedly daily, I was intrigued by TechCrunch’s post: “A new app, HyperTexting, turns the open web into a scrollable social media-like feed.” HyperTexti
13 Jul 2026
The New York Times Launches Local Newsletter Pilot
The New York Times is set to launch a local newsletter pilot in the Twin Cities next month, a move that marks the national news organization's foray into community-focused journalism. The initiative, dubbed The Local, aims to serve and engage local communities through in-depth reporting and storytelling.
9 Jul 2026
A new study looks at the skills journalists are losing (and gaining) because of AI tools
Last year, MIT’s Media Lab came out with a buzzy study on a phenomenon that’s been coined “cognitive debt.” In short, the researchers found that when ChatGPT users offloaded essay writing tasks to their AI assistants, their own writing abilities declined. ChatGPT users cons
8 Jul 2026
Saving Local News: The Push for Public Policy Support
At least 21 states and territories have proposed legislation to financially support local news, and organizations like Rebuild Local News are working to create a framework for public policy that supports local journalism. The decline of local news has far-reaching consequences, and effective public policy is critical to ensuring that communities have access to reliable local news sources.
7 Jul 2026
Shift in Perception of Local News
The perception of local news in America is undergoing a significant shift, with majorities of both Republicans and Democrats continuing to rate their local news media favorably despite facing major financial challenges. Local news has long been an exception to the trend of eroding trust in national news organizations, and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances will be crucial in determining its long-term viability.
6 Jul 2026
Bridging the Tech Divide
The story of John Robert, a Nigerian AI engineer who quadrupled his income after relocating to Germany, highlights the significant economic opportunities that exist for tech professionals in developed countries. This trend has far-reaching implications for the creator economy, digital media, and African tech, and raises important questions about the global distribution of tech talent and resources.
4 Jul 2026
From Nigeria to Germany: How One AI Engineer Quadrupled His Income
John Robert, a Nigerian AI engineer, has quadrupled his income after relocating to Germany, highlighting the significant economic opportunities that exist for tech professionals in developed countries. Robert's story is part of a larger trend of African tech professionals seeking opportunities abroad, driven by factors such as economic opportunities, personal development, and cultural exchange.
4 Jul 2026
The AI-Generated Fake News Conundrum
The rise of AI-generated fake news is being lamented by AI-generated content itself, creating a confusing and concerning trend in the world of journalism. This phenomenon has significant implications for the journalism industry and the broader media landscape.
1 Jul 2026
Fact-checkers reckon with shrinking budgets and growing AI threats at GlobalFact 2026
“Welcome to Vilnius, the city where we face cognitive warfare for real,” Robertas Kaunas, Lithuania’s minister of national defense, said in his opening remarks at this year’s GlobalFact. On June 17, hundreds of fact-checkers assembled in Vilnius for the an
30 Jun 2026
The Cannes Advertising Festival: A Showcase for Digital Media Innovation
The Cannes advertising festival has become a major event in the digital media industry, with top tech companies showcasing their latest offerings. The festival's focus on innovation and technology has made it a key platform for companies to launch new products and services, and for industry professionals to network and learn about the latest trends and technologies.
29 Jun 2026
Europe's AI Ambition: A New Era of Digital Sovereignty
The European Union is taking a drastic step to reduce its dependence on American artificial intelligence by developing its own AI model, a move driven by the continent's desire to break free from the dominance of US tech giants. This development has significant implications for the EU's economy, trade relationships, and global influence.
26 Jun 2026
Beehiiv’s new Cloudflare partnership gives indie journalists a new level of control over AI crawlers
Over the past year, major news publishers have taken aggressive anti-scraping measures to curb the rise of AI crawlers. So far, most of these backend interventions have been out of reach for independent journalists who publish on third-party newsletter platforms. That is changing
25 Jun 2026
Census Data Rules: A Policy Disaster
The Trump administration's new census data rules are set to severely limit the amount of information that becomes public, according to data experts. The new policy forbids the use of "noise infusion" as a technique for anonymizing data, which could have significant consequences for researchers and policymakers.
24 Jun 2026
UK Government Seeks to Promote Trustworthy News on Social Media
The British government is taking steps to increase the visibility of trustworthy news on social media platforms, with plans to pass laws to require companies to prioritize high-quality content. The move is part of a broader effort to combat the spread of misinformation and promote more reliable sources of news.
23 Jun 2026
Michigan Township Leaders Vow to Fight Nuclear AI Data Center
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's proposed nuclear weapons AI data center has sparked intense resistance from community leaders, who are concerned about the potential health and environmental risks associated with the project. The controversy surrounding the proposed data center is part of a larger debate about the role of AI in the development of nuclear weapons.
22 Jun 2026
WapiPay Expands into Canada with Money Services Licence
Kenyan cross-border fintech WapiPay has entered the Canadian market with a money services licence, allowing the company to provide a range of financial services in the country. The company's expansion into Canada is a significant milestone in its growth and development, and positions WapiPay as a major player in the cross-border fintech space.
20 Jun 2026
Labeling AI in Journalism: The Path to Transparency and Trust
A new study suggests that news organizations need to be more transparent about their use of artificial intelligence in reporting, as audiences favor a human touch and are skeptical of AI-generated content. The study highlights the importance of clarity and transparency in AI-generated journalism and the need for news organizations to develop clear guidelines and standards for the use of AI.
17 Jun 2026
The Big Dig Podcast Explores Infrastructure Development with Highway Teardown Tour
The Big Dig podcast is taking its in-depth exploration of infrastructure projects on the road with the "Highway Teardown Tour", a nationwide tour that builds on the success of its initial deep dive into Boston's infamous Big Dig project. The podcast's success can be attributed to its use of archival tape and expert interviews, which provided a unique perspective on the project's history and impact.
11 Jun 2026
The Centre Daily Times unionizes after backlash to McClatchy’s AI tool
Josh Moyer remembers the exact moment he decided he needed to unionize. Moyer is a senior reporter for the Centre Daily Times, a newspaper in State College, PA, and for months he had been concerned about a new AI tool being rolled out in his newsroom. McClatchy, the Centre Daily
10 Jun 2026