Testing crossposting through @openvibe.social
Original post: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:k3bynly7ikhpx43zkf5h2iue/post/3lllx54k3622g https://cdn.nostrcheck.me/99d0c998eaf2dbfaead9abf50919eba6495d8d615f0ded6b320948a4a4f8c478/4567fe70e8273c7d0f760eb3da49a0881148f22b80b441df27d3cbc11e7b0bfd.webp
True editorial independence isn't the freedom to publish whatever we deem important—it's the unburdened expression of new information that improves someone's ability to navigate their life better. https://www.pboehler.net/15-independence/
Sadly, the best way of getting funding in media research is telling people what they want to hear and make them feel good about it too https://on.ft.com/3YbtDSP
This month's newsletter is out a bit early (amid a busy week in Taiwan) and it's a longer one: a conversation with Candice Fortman that gets into the heart of journalism. It's on idealism, the business side of things, and real-world utility. https://www.pboehler.net/candice-fortman-journalism/
“In Munich, the Czechoslovak delegation were kept in an adjoining room to await details of when and how they would surrender the Sudetenland to Hitler. On Tuesday, the Ukrainians were not even in the same country.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/18/ukraine-and-europe-made-to-sit-outside-as-us-and-russia-sharpen-their-carving-knives
In Taipei until the end of the month for RightsCon, and separate workshops and discussions on media strategy, research, and funding. I'll be sharing some takeaways and resources in my early March newsletter. If you're in Taipei and these topics are of interest, I'd be happy to connect.
Important reminder: Voters rejected the status quo -- they didn’t embrace fascism. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o1gSdFWIUpw41O5zbaxedVsr6Xik5XpPd9FwqvXYu40/edit
Few things are more dystopian than the dancing robots at China‘s national Spring Festival Year gala https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFX7XVbSSHy/?igsh=b2syeWk4MTNhaDJo directed by Zhang Yimou, of course.
The US media dev funding freeze is hitting newsrooms globally directly or indirectly; thousands of journalists won't be able to do their jobs. Check-in slots for affected colleagues in my newsletter: https://www.pboehler.net/13-sharing-motivations/ Remember that you're more than your job.
Your 'creator economy' runs on oligarch whims. They harvest your data and let algorithms dictate your reach - amplified or buried at their profit-driven whim. The fediverse isn't just an alternative, it's escape from digital feudalism. No billionaires parsing your data or controlling your reach.
I’m not mourning TikTok. The creator economy needs sustainable foundations, not walled gardens. We should be exploring decentralized alternatives that put creator autonomy, community ownership first. Sustainability means building systems that can't be bought, banned, or controlled. 🌱
In writing my next newsletter came across this compelling definition of "news value" as a compound of social significance & audience relevance = “related to meaningful events that can prompt communication among users.” https://informationr.net/ir/25-4/paper882.html
Watch Duty is often called an "app" not "journalism," yet they exemplify journalism's best: identifying vital need (real-time wildfire info) & serving it through verification, clear writing & context.
The media execs we need: Equal parts digital strategist & institutional leader. Too rare? Yes. Impossible? No. Some thoughts on overcoming that dichotomy and survey results among peers: https://www.pboehler.net/12-kafka-newsroom-2/
The App Freedom Index is a much-needed initiative aimed at promoting transparency within the global app ecosystem.
Virtual launch, Dec. 19: https://applecensorship.com/news/join-us-for-the-launch-of-the-app-freedom-index-afi-advancing-transparency-in-the-app-ecosystem
1-question survey on leadership if you work/worked in media (totally anonymous unless you want to me quoted in the newsletter)
Describe your ideal media leader - what qualities and vision would inspire you to do your best work?
If you want to connect, don't have a human assistant coordinate. It's almost 2025 - abusing someone’s time for your scheduling either shows you're digitally out of touch or think you're above managing your calendar. It’s not that hard and will increase the likelihood you get a meeting.
Exile media donors: stop looking at social following, engagement, page views when assessing newsrooms you fund. There is so much fraud I don't know where to begin, making such ecosystem analysis and impact reports meaningless; eg: I just bought 13k real pv in a really closed region for 37 USD.
Check out the Nostr tracking token remover bot: https://github.com/f321x/nostr-tracking-token-remover
It automatically replies to your posts with tracking-free versions, stripping out tracking from the url. Great idea.
I love this! Thank you