SODP Dispatch - 10 October 2024

Online News Consumption Has Surpassed Television – But Broadcasters Are Still the Most Widely Trusted

By Stephen Cushion

More people in the UK now access news online than on television, according to new survey data from the media regulator, Ofcom. This is the first time Ofcom’s annual news consumption poll found online media use ahead of TV news.

The immediate press reaction to the survey suggested television is in terminal decline, with online media replacing TV news. Ofcom itself pitted one format against another by declaring in the study’s headline: “TV loses its crown as main source for news.”

Yet rather than the survey reflecting a “generational shift” in audience behaviour, the truth is it has been going on for decades.

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By Vahe Arabian

🤝 Networking as a digital publisher

Networking is a cornerstone of success in the digital publishing industry, impacting everything from career growth to revenue generation.

My experience with Ben Morrisroe, now General Manager at Publift, underscores the power of professional connections. Years ago, Ben, then a Marketing Coordinator, reached out through our contact form for a guest post opportunity, and today, our professional relationship remains strong and mutually beneficial.

According to LinkedIn, 85% of professionals say they build stronger, more meaningful relationships during in-person business meetings and conferences, highlighting the impact of networking on creating valuable connections.

Here are some practical tips for effective networking in the digital publishing industry:

• Attend Industry Events: Participate in conferences, webinars, and workshops specific to digital publishing. These events are fertile ground for meeting industry peers and staying updated on trends.

• Engage on LinkedIn: Regularly update your profile, share insights, and engage with industry-specific content. This will keep you visible and position you as a thought leader in digital publishing.

• Join Professional Groups: Get involved with digital publishing groups and associations. These platforms often host events and discussions that can lead to valuable connections.

You don't have to spend a lot to network effectively. Simple actions like reaching out through LinkedIn and company contact forms can create valuable connections. It's a matter of the value exchange and timing.

Google’s AI Overviews Avoid Political Content, New Data Shows | Search Engine Journal

New data from BrightEdge shows significant changes to Google AI Overviews, prioritizing topic-specific sites and a stronger focus on ecommerce ahead of the year-end shopping season.
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The Editors Protecting Wikipedia from AI Hoaxes | 404 Media

A group of Wikipedia editors have formed WikiProject AI Cleanup, “a collaboration to combat the increasing problem of unsourced, poorly-written AI-generated content on Wikipedia.”
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OpenAI to integrate SearchGPT into ChatGPT before 2024 ends |  Search Engine Land

When it comes to SearchGPT/ChatGPT, it sounds like publishers can only expect to be “paid” in clicks and traffic.
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How The New York Times incorporates editorial judgment in algorithms to curate its home page | NiemanLab

Whether on the web or the app, the home page of The NYT is a crucial gateway, setting the stage for readers’ experiences and guiding them to the most important news of the day. The Times publishes over 250 stories daily, far more than the 50 to 60 stories that can be featured on the home page at a given time.
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OpenAI and Hearst strike content deal | Axios

The deal allows OpenAI to integrate content from more than 40 of Hearst's local newspapers — including the Houston Chronicle and San Francisco Chronicle — as well as content from more than 20 of its magazine brands, such as Esquire, Cosmopolitan and Women's Health, into OpenAI's products, such as ChatGPT.
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