In a frank interview with the BBC, Sundar Pichai - head of Alphabet, Google’s parent - admitted that the company’s own AI tools cannot be taken at face value. “People should not ‘blindly trust’ everything AI tools tell them,” he warned, urging users to double‑check Gemini’s answers with Google Search and other sources. The comment hits hard when you consider the UK government’s recent decision to give Google “Strategic Market Status” under the Digital Markets, Competition an

Changing Ideas and the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) today announced the second annual Tenacious Journalist Awards, designed to support UK journalists and small news organisations in producing high-impact journalism.   Funded by Changing Ideas, recipients of the Tenacious Journalist Awards will receive:   A grant of £10,000 to produce public interest journalism.   Up to eight months of coaching and mentoring support tailored to their needs.  Access to networks includ

The Independent Media Association (IMA), Independent Community News Network (ICNN) and the Independent Publishers Alliance (IPA) are launching a second survey on how Google impacts publishing in the UK. This survey aims to fill some gaps in our data, particularly in terms of web traffic and revenue. This data is vital to establish a robust valuation that we can take into negotiations with Google. On 10 October, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that Goo

In recent months a series of high‑profile incidents have shown how Meta can cripple independent newsrooms and journalists. The cases below illustrate a clear pattern: vague “account‑integrity” or “spam” violations, limited chances to appeal and a sudden loss of a vital traffic source. Leicester Gazette’s election ban The Leicester Gazette  – an independent newspaper in Leicestershire – was abruptly blocked  from Facebook for allegedly breaching Meta’s “account‑integrity” stan

AI search is having a massive impact on publishers, with many seeing steep declines in referral traffic. Ofcom have produced a report titled The Era of Answer Engines: Generative AI’s impact on search experiences and online safety , looking at some of the issues around AI search. This is a summary of that report. The rise of generative AI (GenAI) is redefining the way we look for information online. Where traditional search engines like Google or Bing delivered ranked lists o

The most important stories of our times are missing from the front pages. Toxic headlines don’t stop at print. They shape TV bulletins, digital and state broadcasts, spread through social media, and become “the word on the street.” This Media Liberation Day, take a stand. What?   On 5 November, place an A4 “ cover page ” over newspaper front pages – especially billionaire-owned press – in shops, newsagents, and public spaces. Why ?  Every Cover Story in the run-up to MLD buil

On 10 October, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that Google now holds Strategic Market Status (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) . In practice, this means the regulator is treating Google as a digital monopoly . That designation opens a new chapter for our coalition* – we can now sit down with Google in formal negotiations . The CMA hasn’t released the accompanying Conduct Requirements  yet, so the exact procedural

The Independent Media Association (IMA) was thrilled to take part in PINF’s Local News Forum 2025 in Leicester on 10/11 October. About 65 people turned up – from tiny village papers in Devon to bustling city titles in Suffolk, plus think‑tanks, civic‑tech groups, academics and funders. It felt like a big family gathering for anyone who cares about local journalism. Amplify / Devon Winters Eliot Higgins of Bellingcat opened the first day with his “Demanufacturing Consent” talk

Impress, the UK’s only independent press regulator, launched their new ethical journalism course today (15 October). Built in collaboration with the University of Huddersfield, Creating Ethical Media and Journalism has also received accreditation from the CPD Certification Service , meaning participants know they will receive professional development of the highest possible standard and receive a qualification for their work. Featuring more than 40 hours of content, Creating

Google’s stranglehold on Discover, Gemini, and YouTube threatens the survival of independent UK publishers. Here’s how. 1. Google...

In 2011, the UK was rocked by a scandal that still echoes through our newsrooms. The News of the World was found to have hacked the...

By: Yara El Murr (managing editor) and Anita Li (publisher) It’s undeniable that the public — especially Gen Zs and Millennials — are...

Since its rebranding and relaunch in 2018, publishers have increasingly relied on referrals from Google Discover, which is accessible...

Regulation is changing – how will you meet legal requirements, while maintaining brand safety and audience trust? How can you prevent...

Independent media publishers struggle to connect with their audiences online. Social media platforms, which were once thought to be open...

We have responded to an invitation from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to comment on their proposal decision to designate...

In December last year, a report commissioned by the Democracy Fund  examined journalism support organisations in the US. The report...

On 27 May 2025, Foxglove, Prospect Magazine, and the Independent Publishers Alliance filed a formal complaint to the Competition and...

As we begin forming our collective bargaining coalition, we’ll be using various terms and concepts that may be new to some. We have made...

TLDR;  Independent media reaches active, engaged audiences that help achieve real impact. You shouldn’t fund or support media...