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Mail & Guardian
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
ANC, DA square off over budget
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G) The Democratic Alliance won't back the budgets for the departments of higher education, human settlements and police This content is restricted to subscribers only . Join the M&G Community Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently. Subscription enables: - M&G community membership - independent journalism - access to all premium articles & features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper - invites to subscriber-only events - the opportunity to test new online features first Already a subscriber?
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
The Guardian appoints Nicole Kotzen as senior vice-president for development and executive director of theguardian.org
The Guardian has announced the appointment of Nicole Kotzen as senior vice-president for development and executive director of She joins the Guardian from Friends of the High Line, where she served as the senior director of individual giving and board relations. Kotzen comes to the Guardian with over a dozen years of experience in fundraising and non-profit leadership, with a track record of building impactful partnerships that advance key institutional priorities and growth opportunities. Her background includes work for StoryCorps and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kotzen starts today. In her SVP role, Kotzen will lead a New York and London-based team that grows foundation and philanthropic support for independent Guardian journalism and global editorial projects. These include award-winning projects such as the Guardian's dedicated and long-running coverage of global development focused on poverty, global health, gender equality, the future of global aid, democracy, human rights, environment, the climate crisis and biodiversity, among other pressing issues. A full list of the Guardian's philanthropically supported projects is here. Additionally, Kotzen will lead the work of as executive director, and develop and maintain the board of directors. is a non-profit organization with the mission to advance public discourse and citizen participation around the most pressing issues of our time through the support of journalistic projects at the Guardian and independent journalism. Kotzen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College and is a US Department of State Fulbright fellow. Nicole Kotzen, senior vice-president for development and executive director of said: 'What we need right now is the truth – told with courage and empathy – that knits together a global perspective on the most pressing issues of our time. As a longtime reader of the Guardian, their fearless, independent journalism has helped me make sense of the world in these complicated times. I look forward to working with the talented team at the Guardian, and the philanthropic community, to ensure that anyone, anywhere in the world can benefit from the Guardian's award-winning reporting, all free of charge.' Asha Curran, chair, said: 'In a time of rising polarization and declining trust, independent media like the Guardian play a vital role in providing space for truth, nuance, and investigation. Innovation in how we support that role isn't optional – it's essential. I'm so looking forward to working with Nicole as she helps shape what that future can look like.' Steve Sachs, managing director, the Guardian US, said: 'The global editorial projects funded by the Guardian's philanthropy – touching on poverty, the future of democracy in America, the climate crisis, the safety of drinking water, and more – have never felt more important. And with increasing threats to the news industry, philanthropic funding is an even more critical resource for us and our peers. Nicole has the experience and vision to sustain our existing relationships and find new partners that align with our values and mission: providing world-class journalism without a paywall, free from corporate or political influence. I look forward to working with her.' About The is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was set up by the Scott Trust in 2017 to support quality independent journalism about some of the most pressing issues of our time. The organization raises funds from individuals and foundations, and directs them towards projects that advance public discourse and citizen participation on issues such as climate change, human rights, global development and inequality. The Guardian is able to apply for grants from for editorial projects that correspond with the priorities set out by board of directors, and that are aligned with its charitable mission. A number of the Guardian's philanthropic partnerships are via grants to this organization. For more information, visit About Guardian Media Group Guardian Media Group is amongst the world's leading media organizations. Its core business is Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of one of the largest English-speaking quality news websites in the world. In the UK, Guardian Media Group publishes the Guardian newspaper six days a week, first published in 1821. Since launching its US and Australian digital editions in 2011 and 2013, respectively, traffic from outside of the UK now represents around two-thirds of the Guardian's total digital audience. The Guardian also has an international digital edition and a new European edition that launched in 2023, with an expanded network of more than 20 European correspondents, editors and reporters. Media contact Matt Mittenthal Head of Communications The Guardian US 917-597-4485
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bernie Sanders Rips ‘Extremely Dangerous' Paramount-Trump Settlement: ‘Government Extortion'
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said the settlement between Paramount and President Donald Trump is a precedent in 'government extortion.' 'The decision by the Redstone family, the major owners of Paramount, to settle a bogus lawsuit with President Trump over a 60 Minutes report he did not like is an extremely dangerous precedent in terms of both the First Amendment and government extortion,' Sanders said in a statement. He continued: 'Paramount's decision will only embolden Trump to continue attacking, suing and intimidating the media which he has labeled 'the enemy of the people.' It is a dark day for independent journalism and freedom of the press — an essential part of our democracy. It is a victory for a president who is attempting to stifle dissent and undermine American democracy.' Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, announced Tuesday that it had agreed to settle a lawsuit with the president after Trump sued CBS News over its '60 Minutes' episode with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump claimed it was edited to make her look more favorable. This settlement paves the way for Paramount to merge with Skydance Media, which needs approval from the Trump administration. Sanders said the merger makes it 'obvious' why Paramount decided to settle with Trump. 'It's pretty obvious why Paramount chose to surrender to Trump,' Sanders said in his statement. 'The Redstone family is in line to receive $2.4 billion from the sale of Paramount to Skydance, but they can only receive this money if the Trump administration approves this deal. In other words, the Redstone family diminished the freedom of the press today in exchange for a $2.4 billion payday. He continued: 'Make no mistake about it. Trump is undermining our democracy and rapidly moving us towards authoritarianism and the billionaires who care more about their stock portfolios than our democracy are helping him do it. That is beyond unacceptable.' In May, Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to Paramount Global chair Shari Redstone, writing that they are concerned Paramount might be 'engaging in potentially illegal conduct' with the Trump administration. And again in May, Sanders appeared on CBS' 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' and said if Paramount settled with Trump, it would set a dangerous precedent for other media companies. The money from the settlement will go toward Trump's future presidential library. As part of the settlement, '60 Minutes' will release transcripts of the interviews the news program conducts with presidential candidates. Paramount Agrees To Pay Trump $16 Million In Outrageous Settlement California Is Investigating Paramount Over Its Alleged Settlement Offer To Trump Bernie Sanders Warns Paramount Not To Settle Trump's 'Bogus' Lawsuit
The Independent
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Life on the other side: Refugees from 'old media' flock to the promise of working for themselves
Six months ago, Jennifer Rubin had no idea whether she'd make it in a new media world. She just knew it was time to leave The Washington Post, where she'd been a political columnist for 15 years. The Contrarian, the democracy-focused website that Rubin founded with partner Norm Eisen in January, now has 10 employees and contributors like humorist Andy Borowitz and White House reporter April Ryan. Its 558,000 subscribers also get recipes and culture dispatches. In the blink of an eye, Rubin became a independent news entrepreneur. 'I think we hit a moment, just after inauguration, when people were looking for something different and it has captured people's imaginations,' she says. 'We've been having a ball with it.' YouTube, Substack, TikTok and others are spearheading a full-scale democratization of media and a generation of new voices and influencers. But don't forget the traditionalists. Rubin's experience shows how this world offers a lifeline to many at struggling legacy outlets who wanted — or were forced — to strike out on their own. Tough business realities, changing consumer tastes The realities of business and changing consumer tastes are both driving forces. YouTube claims more than 1 billion monthly podcast views, and a recent list of its top 100 shows featured seven refugees from legacy media and six shows made by current broadcasters. Substack, which launched in 2017 and added live video in January, has more than doubled its number of paid subscribers to participating content creators to 5 million in less than two years. Almost immediately after he was cut loose by ABC News on June 10 for an anti-Trump tweet, Terry Moran headed for Substack. Two former hosts of NBC's 'Today' show — Katie Couric and Hoda Kotb — announced new media ventures on the same day last month. 'I think you've seen, really in the last six months for some reason, this whole space explode with people who are understanding that this is a really important way to convey information,' says Couric, who's been running her own media company with newsletters, interviews and a podcast since 2017 and recently joined Substack. Among the most successful to make transitions are Bari Weiss, the former New York Times writer whose Free Press website celebrates independent thought, the anti-Trump Republicans at Bulwark and ex-MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan, who champions 'adversarial journalism' on Zeteo. Television news essentially left Megyn Kelly for dead after her switch from Fox News to NBC went bust. She launched a podcast in 2020, at first audio only, and SiriusXM picked it up as a daily radio show. She added video for YouTube in 2021, and gets more than 100 million viewers a month for commentary and newsmaker interviews. This year, Kelly launched her own company, MK Media, with shows hosted by Mark Halperin, Maureen Callahan and Link Lauren. While they thrive, the prospect of layoffs, audiences that are aging and becoming smaller and constant worry about disappearing revenue sources are a way of life for legacy media. Moving to independent media is still not an easy decision. Taking a deep breath, and making the leap 'If I'm going to jump off a cliff, is there water or not?' former 'Meet the Press' moderator Chuck Todd says. 'I didn't know until I left NBC. Everybody told me there would be water. But you don't know for sure until you jump.' It takes some adjustment — 'At first I was like, 'do you know who I used to be?'' Couric jokes — but some who have made the jump appreciate the nimbleness and flexibility of new formats and say news subjects often respond to the atmosphere with franker, more expansive interviews. Jim Acosta, who traded a CNN anchor desk for a video podcast he does from his home after deciding not to make a move he considered a demotion, says he's been surprised at the quality of guests he's been able to corral — people like Hakeem Jefferies, Pete Buttigieg and Sean Penn. Many podcasters succeed because they communicate authenticity, former Washington Post editor Marty Baron said in an interview at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Traditional journalists trade on authority at a time people don't trust institutions anymore, he said. Couric has seen it in some of the feedback she gets from subscribers. 'There's some disenchantment with legacy media,' she says. 'There are certainly some people who are frustrated by the capitulation of some networks to the administration, and I think there's a sense that when you're involved in mainstream media that you may be holding back or there may be executives who are putting pressure on you.' Is there an audience — and money — on the other side? Substack says that more than 50 people are earning more than $1 million annually on its platform. More than 50,000 of its publishers make money, but since the company won't give a total of how many people produce content for the platform, it's impossible to get a sense of the odds of success. Alisyn Camerota isn't making money yet. The former CNN anchor left the broadcaster after she sensed her time there was running out. Blessed with a financial cushion, she's relishing the chance to create something new. She records a video podcast, 'Sanity,' from her basement in Connecticut. A former Fox colleague who lives nearby, Dave Briggs, joins to talk about the news. 'It's harder than you think in terms of having to DIY a lot of this,' Camerota says, 'but it's very freeing.' Different people on the platform have different price points; some publishers put everything they do behind a pay wall, others only some. Acosta offers content for free, but people need to pay to comment or discuss. Zeteo charges $12 a month or $72 a year, with a $500 'founding member' yearly fee that offers access to Mehdi. The danger for independent journalists is a market reaching a saturation point. People already stress over how many streaming services they can afford for entertainment. There's surely a limit to how many journalists they will pay for, too. 'I hope to make a living at this,' Acosta says. 'We'll see how it goes. This is a bit of an experiment. I think it's a valuable one because the stakes are so high right now.' A strong point of view is one route to success To succeed in independent media, people need a strong work work ethic, self-motivation and an ability to pivot quickly to deal with changing markets, says Chris Balfe, founder of Red Seat Ventures. He has created a thriving business ushering conservative media figures into the new world, including Kelly, Bill O'Reilly, Tucker Carlson and Piers Morgan. Balfe's clients all have strong opinions. That's a plus for consumers who want to hear their viewpoints reflected back at them. 'I think you need a point of view and a purpose," Rubin says. "Once you have that, it helps you to organize your thinking and your selections. You're not going to be all things to all people.' That's one of the things that concerns Acosta and Todd. They're looser, and they certainly say what they think more than they felt free to do on television; a remark Acosta made on June 17, while appearing on Rubin's podcast, about Trump marrying immigrants was criticized as 'distasteful' by the White House. But at heart, they consider themselves reporters and not commentators. Is there enough room for people like them? Todd has a podcast, a weekly interview show on the new platform Noosphere and is looking to build on an interest in improving the fortunes of local news. He believes that opinion can help someone build an audience quickly but may ultimately limit growth. As Rubin did, they will find out soon enough. 'As it turned out," she says, 'what was on the other side was much more exciting and successful and absorbing than I could ever have imagined.' ___ David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him at and
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Turkish Court Arrests Journalist for Threatening Erdogan
A Turkish court on Sunday arrested prominent independent journalist Fatih Altayli over comments on his social media allegedly threatening President Tayyip Erdogan. Altayli, who has more than 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, was referred to the Criminal Court of Peace in Istanbul after testifying at the prosecutor's office. He was detained from home on Saturday over comments in a video he posted on Friday in which he addressed a poll showing most Turks opposed Erdogan ruling for life. Prosecutors in Istanbul later said the remarks 'contained threats' against the president and launched an investigation. The text of the court's order said Altayli's actions violated Article 310/2 via 106/1 of the Turkish Penal Code. Under the Turkish law, a person violating those articles face a minimum penalty of five years in prison. On Friday, Altayli posted a video referencing an unnamed poll showing 70% of Turks opposed Erdogan ruling for life, saying this would 'never be allowed' by the Turkish people. Altayli also referenced past Ottoman rulers in his comments, saying people had 'drowned,' 'killed,' or 'assassinated them in the past.' 'Look at the history of this nation ... This is a nation which strangled its sultan when they didn't like him or want him. There are quite a few Ottoman sultans who were assassinated, strangled, or whose deaths were made to look like suicide,' he said. His comments drew backlash from an Erdogan aide, Oktay Saral, who said on X that Altayli's 'water was boiling.' An investigation was immediately launched by the Istanbul Public Prosecutors' Office. During questioning, Altayli denied threatening the president. 'I did not threaten President Erdogan. I only provided historical context. I do not accept the charges brought against me,' he said before the court. Altayli's detention comes amid a series of detentions of opposition figures in recent months, including the arrest in March of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu who is Erdogan's main political rival. Türkiye's main opposition CHP leader Ozgur Ozel condemned the arrest of Altayli. On X, Ozel wrote, 'We are facing a government that fears journalists, youth, women and the nation. But no one can be intimidated by pressure anymore. Altayli is a journalist, and he should be released as soon as possible.'
