- INDEPENDENCE (The Guardian) — After delivering packages in less than 48 hours on Amazon, Jeff Bezos is innovating again with express cancellations and 10% off for Washington Post subscribers! The billionaire indeed sparked outrage after deciding that the newspaper would not endorse any candidate in the American presidential election. As a result, 250,000 people ended their subscriptions, representing a tenth of his user base.
- POLITICS (StreetPress) — Several far-right MPs backed an amendment that would increase VAT on online media from 2.1% to 20%. A proposal unlikely to pass but revealing of the interest this section of parliament has in the viability of independent media. Mediapart in particular has built up financial reserves in anticipation of a potential far-right takeover of power.
- EUROPE (Médianes) — Facing the rise of the far right, we at Médianes believe in collaboration between the leading forces convinced of the importance of a free and independent press, at the national and European level. This conviction motivated our partnership with Sphera, a network bringing together several independent media outlets across Europe, now led by Médianes.
- FORMATS (Télérama) — After her TikTok account and Instagram channel, Élise Lucet is launching on YouTube. For her first video, the presenter invited Squeezie to watch and comment on Cash Investigation archives. A format that builds an interesting bridge between television and the Internet in a relaxed atmosphere… at the risk of bordering on complicity?
PS: Journalist Vincent Manilève wrote an interesting column on the subject that you can find on his Patreon.
- TRANSPARENCY (Arrêt sur images) — Alerted by one of its subscribers, the editor-in-chief of Arrêt sur images, Pauline Bock, analyzed the rate of women's representation on the media's panels. Result: "we performed much worse than last year". A situation explained by several factors, including female self-censorship, and one on which the editorial team wants to make improvements.
- CAMPAIGNS (Vox) — In politics, fundraising campaigns rely on alarming messages,even if they sometimes overdo it. It's a somewhat sensational but effective strategy, even though these repeated requests, however legitimate, can frustrate supporters. Some initiatives instead opt for approaches focused on education or values. Methods that the media could learn from.
- PLATFORMS (TechCrunch) — WordPress has been locked in a dispute with WP Engine (a company offering additional services for WordPress sites) for some time, accusing it of using its product solely for commercial purposes. A conflict that raises significant questions about WordPress's business model and is worrying users, who are increasingly tempted to find alternatives.
- DIVERSITY (New York Times) — Feminist websites extensively covered the 2016 political campaign and the rise of Donald Trump, his sexist remarks, his disastrous agenda for women's rights, and his predatory behavior. But these sites have shut down or no longer have the resources to cover a campaign. The current election, which could surely use these voices, is thus proceeding without them.
- PAPER (Peeling The Past) — I came across this guide detailing archiving methods and I'm thrilled. Am I an archivist? No, but if like me you accumulate newspapers, magazines, notes and other documents, this article might be the first step toward a more organized and peaceful life. Do you work in media or run a publication? You'll find some good ideas here for preserving your valuable work.
- TOOLS (WhatFont?) — Have you ever visited a website and thought: « This typeface is absolutely exceptional and I'd like to know what it is » ? We have the solution for you. This extension, available on multiple browsers, lets you identify the fonts used on a website. It's simple, effective, and practical.
