Deep Dives
Creators Insight: original analysis on the platforms, players, and economics shaping content work from Nigeria and around the world.
Flock's Mainstream Moment: What it Means for Digital Media
The mainstreaming of Flock is underway, with the platform making significant strides in media appearances and user adoption. This shift has major implications for the future of digital media and entertainment, and it's essential to examine the factors driving Flock's growth.
14 Aug 2026
Can public media build its own social network? Chicago Public Media teams up with New_ Public to try
If a news outlet announces a website launch, you might think it’s safe to assume it’s a news website that’s launching. But that’s not what Chicago Public Media has in mind for chicago.com. Chicago Public Media is already the parent nonprofit of two existin
13 Aug 2026
Japanese publishers are fighting imposter news sites with a cryptographic signature
On January 1, 2024, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula, killing more than 700 people. In the days that followed, AI-generated images of the wreckage circulated widely and fake philanthropic websites scammed people out of donations. False claims that pe
12 Aug 2026
The Ethics of AI-Driven Journalism
The integration of artificial intelligence in journalism raises significant ethical concerns, from the use of AI-generated research to the impact of AI on news engagement. As the media industry navigates these changes, it is essential to establish clear guidelines and regulations to ensure the integrity of journalistic practices.
11 Aug 2026
Journalism's AI Era: Proposed Revisions to SPJ Code of Ethics
The Society of Professional Journalists has proposed revisions to its code of ethics, the first update since 2014, to address the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on journalism. The proposed revisions aim to provide guidance on the responsible use of AI-powered tools and ensure transparency and accountability in journalism.
11 Aug 2026
How More Information Can Change the Way People Engage with News
A recent analysis of 6,400 New York Times stories found that providing readers with more information can lead to more thoughtful and respectful discussions in the comments section. The study's findings have significant implications for the way news organizations approach online engagement and community building.
11 Aug 2026
The Dark Side of AI-Generated Research
A medical research company has been found to be using entirely AI-driven research, with its team of human methodologists either being AI-generated or using the identity of real people without their permission. The discovery highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of AI-generated content.
11 Aug 2026
“An inherent conflict of interest”: More than 800 USA Today Co. employees want the company to end its new Palantir partnership
More than 800 USA Today Co. employees are calling on the company to dissolve its recently announced partnership with Palantir, according to a joint statement from 31 unionized newsrooms published Monday. “While USA Today Co. CEO Mike Reed championed this partnership as a wa
10 Aug 2026
America’s largest newspaper chain, USA Today Co., partners with Palantir to analyze audience data as search traffic falls
USA Today Co. has made a deal with software company Palantir to analyze and monetize user behavior, the company announced on Thursday. In its Q2 earnings call Thursday morning, USA Today Co. chairman and CEO Mike Reed told investors he expects the partnership to “strengthen
6 Aug 2026
Elon Musk's Anti-Woke Wikipedia Halt Raises Questions
Elon Musk's anti-woke AI Wikipedia, Grokipedia, has stopped updating since April, leaving many to wonder about the fate of the project. The platform's unique approach and significant investment have sparked debate about the viability of Grokipedia as a reliable source of information.
6 Aug 2026
Is Americans’ declining trust in media driven by political messaging?
Why has trust in American news media dropped so much in the past 50 years — much more than it’s declined in other rich western countries? To some people, I’m sure, the answer will seem obvious: Journalism’s just gotten worse. The news used to be produced by upst
5 Aug 2026
The Digital Privacy Conundrum
The case of Samuel Tunick, who allegedly wiped his phone before the Department of Homeland Security could search it, raises questions about digital privacy and the consequences of non-compliance with law enforcement. The incident highlights the tension between individual rights and national security, and the growing use of AI-powered tools in law enforcement investigations.
5 Aug 2026
EU AI Act Set to Disrupt Creator Economy
The EU AI Act is set to introduce strict regulations on the use of artificial intelligence in the creator economy, which could disrupt the businesses of many influencers and creators. The regulations will require creators to be more transparent about their use of AI, which could lead to a shift in the way they work and the type of content they produce.
5 Aug 2026
U.S. news jobs are more than 3× more likely to be based in Manhattan than they were 25 years ago
Ten years ago, I wrote a piece on how the internet was sucking journalistic resources out of the middle of the country and concentrating it on the coasts — primarily New York City. While digital publishing theoretically could have distributed reporters away from high-cost cities,
3 Aug 2026
AI authentication tools are built without adequate journalist input, new report finds
It has never been easier (or cheaper) to fake and alter media. The evidence that journalists rely on to verify facts — photographs, videos, documents, websites, and even audio calls with sources — can now be convincingly generated with AI. In June, dozens of journalists, technolo
30 Jul 2026
Despite concerns about AI Overviews, some nonprofit news outlets see a surge in search traffic
Election season is a busy time for any newsroom. In the second quarter of 2026, some nonprofit newsrooms saw their coverage of the primaries — especially voter guides — pay off in both interest and traffic. In Nieman Lab’s quarterly ranking of nonprofit news outlets, four n
28 Jul 2026
Public Media in Peril: The Aftermath of Federal Funding Cuts
The decision to cut federal funding for public media has had a profound impact on the industry, with many organizations struggling to stay afloat. The loss of $1.1 billion in funding has resulted in a significant reduction in the quality and quantity of public media content.
28 Jul 2026
The Shift to Local News and Tech Backlash
The rise of local news sites and the Luddite movement are two interconnected trends that reflect a desire for community and a rejection of mainstream technology. As people seek alternative ways to socialize and consume news, the creator economy and digital media landscape are being reshaped.
27 Jul 2026
Tacos, elk sheds, and Facebook ads: How some local news sites saw their traffic spike
It’s time for our latest look at which newsrooms are having success increasing their web traffic. We bring you four of these each quarter, looking at four different market segments: local newspapers, nonprofit news outlets, public media stations, and for-profit local news s
27 Jul 2026
The Rise of the Luddite Movement
The tech backlash has officially gone mainstream, with many people embracing a Luddite lifestyle and finding alternative ways to socialize and have fun. As people begin to reevaluate their relationship with technology, they are discovering that there are many ways to have a good time without relying on social media.
27 Jul 2026